How To Use This Curriculum (core Path Vs. Deep-dives)

The CORE PATH is sections marked with no extra label. If you read just the core path sections in order, you will end up functional. The core path is:

1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.6 3.1, 3.2, 3.6 4.1, 4.6 5.1, 5.2, 5.5 6.1, 6.2, 6.4 7.x (pick one that matches your situation) 8.x (use the templates)

DEEP-DIVES are everything else. Read them when you need them, not before. Section 4.3 (RAM and VRAM) is a deep-dive — you need it the day you decide to buy hardware, not before. Section 5.6 (API design for vibe coders) is a deep-dive — you need it the day you start building something with a backend, not before.

If a section is marked [DEEP-DIVE], it's optional on first pass. If it's marked [TEMPLATE], it's a copy-paste starting point you should grab and modify, not read straight through.