Three-Day Sprint: Jan 22-25, 2026

Massive productivity burst across Main Branch engine and first real client deployment.

Main Branch Engine (vip)

17 commits redesigning the core philosophy and /start experience.

CLAUDE.md Redesign

Rewrote the operational reference around Active Reference Management — you learn by building your reference, not through passive AI memory.

Key additions:

• How to Be — Claude as thoughtful friend who challenges when it matters, not just task executor
• Two Modes — “Enriching the core” (research → reference) vs “Creating for the world” (reference → output)
• The Path — Terminal → Personal Cloud → Local. Learn to depend on no one.
• When to Route — Proactive skill suggestions based on user state

Defluff pass took it from 315 → 201 lines without losing soul.

/start Skill Improvements

• Now loads CLAUDE.md + soul.md at startup (business context + WHY)
• Multi-user config support (local.yaml for person, repo config for team)
• Pulls both engine repo AND business repo
• Always asks which repo (easy switching for multi-business users)

F.R.E.S.H. FIT (Client Deployment)

First real business deployment using Main Branch. Brother-in-law’s personal training business in Egg Harbor Township, NJ.

What Got Built

• Complete reference system from scratch
• Competitive analysis of 7 local trainers → identified unique advantages
• Unique positioning: Teacher mentality (explains the why), faith-based values, flexible locations, branded methods (Santo 6, 10 for 10)
• Equipment list for home gym (addresses “do you have real equipment?” concern)
• First testimonial from Frank Sr.
• 11 photo assets — Spartan race shots, training in action, family/personality
• Website copy — services, home gym section, hours, contact

The Reaction

Sent Frank a summary email of everything built. His response:

“Joe, The AI program you created is amazing. I am blown away that you were able to design something like this.”

Then immediately sent back equipment list and first testimonial. The research-decide-codify loop works.

Skooly (skool-click)

3 PRs merged. See Skool-Click PRs: Jan 22-25, 2026 for details.

• PR #288: API key authentication system for CLI
• PR #287: Homepage conversion optimization - Phase 1
• PR #286: Redesign

Vinny’s Pokemon Cards

Set up a business for my 6-year-old. See Vinny’s Pokemon Cards Business for details.

• Goal: $1,000 for a Roblox laptop
• Product: Vinny’s Value Packs — 21 cards for $3 (vs $7 at CVS for 10)
• Channel: Facebook Marketplace
• 3 commits: repo bootstrap, offer definition, FB listing copy

Wiki

Initial setup and deployment to Cloudflare Pages. Auto-deploy on git push.

Insights

The Frank deployment validated the Main Branch approach:

1. Reference files as reconnection — Seeing his business reflected back clearly got the reaction
2. Competitive analysis creates positioning — Found angles no competitor has
3. Active management beats passive memory — He can see and edit everything

The engine redesign was necessary preparation — clearer guidance meant faster client work.