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+# RSpade Framework - Quick Start Guide
+
+## Installation
+
+### Clone the Repository
+
+Clone the RSpade project with the framework submodule:
+
+```bash
+git clone --recurse-submodules ssh://git@privategit.hanson.xyz:3322/brianhansonxyz/rspade_project.git /path/to/project
+cd /path/to/project
+```
+
+**Alternative method** (clone then initialize submodules):
+
+```bash
+git clone ssh://git@privategit.hanson.xyz:3322/brianhansonxyz/rspade_project.git /path/to/project
+cd /path/to/project
+git submodule update --init --recursive
+```
+
+The `--recurse-submodules` flag automatically initializes and clones the `system` directory, which contains the RSpade framework.
+
+### Initial Setup
+
+1. **Copy environment configuration:**
+   ```bash
+   cp system/.env.dist system/.env
+   ```
+
+2. **Configure your database** in `system/.env`:
+   ```
+   DB_CONNECTION=mysql
+   DB_HOST=127.0.0.1
+   DB_PORT=3306
+   DB_DATABASE=your_database
+   DB_USERNAME=your_username
+   DB_PASSWORD=your_password
+   ```
+
+3. **Install dependencies:**
+   ```bash
+   cd system
+   composer install
+   npm install
+   ```
+
+4. **Generate application key:**
+   ```bash
+   php artisan key:generate
+   ```
+
+5. **Run migrations:**
+   ```bash
+   php artisan migrate
+   ```
+
+6. **Build the manifest:**
+   ```bash
+   php artisan rsx:manifest:build
+   ```
+
+### Updating the Framework
+
+The framework is managed as a git submodule in the `system` directory. To pull framework updates:
+
+```bash
+php artisan rsx:framework:pull
+```
+
+This command:
+- Fetches updates from the upstream framework repository
+- Applies updates while preserving your application code in `./rsx`
+- Rebuilds manifests and bundles automatically
+
+**Note**: The `system` submodule is preconfigured with both `origin` and `rspade_upstream` remotes pointing to the framework repository. The `rsx:framework:pull` command uses `rspade_upstream` to check for and apply updates.
+
+## Your First Module
+
+Create a simple module to verify everything works:
+
+```bash
+php artisan rsx:app:module:create welcome
+```
+
+This creates:
+- `/rsx/app/welcome/welcome_controller.php` - Controller with routes
+- `/rsx/app/welcome/welcome_view.blade.php` - Blade template
+- `/rsx/app/welcome/welcome.js` - JavaScript class
+- `/rsx/app/welcome/welcome.scss` - Styles
+
+Visit `http://your-domain/welcome` to see your new module.
+
+## Essential Commands
+
+### Development
+
+```bash
+php artisan rsx:check              # Check code quality
+php artisan rsx:routes             # View all routes
+php artisan rsx:debug /route       # Test a route
+php artisan rsx:manifest:build     # Rebuild manifest
+```
+
+### Creating Structure
+
+```bash
+php artisan rsx:app:module:create <name>              # Create new module
+php artisan rsx:app:module:feature:create <m> <f>     # Add feature to module
+php artisan rsx:app:component:create --name=<name>    # Create jqhtml component
+```
+
+### Database
+
+```bash
+php artisan make:migration:safe create_table_name     # Create migration
+php artisan migrate                                    # Run migrations
+php artisan db:query "SELECT * FROM users" --json     # Query database
+```
+
+## Next Steps
+
+- Read `./docs/CLAUDE.dist.md` for comprehensive framework documentation
+- Explore the demo module at `/rsx/app/demo/`
+- Review `./docs/framework_divergences.md` to understand how RSpade differs from standard Laravel
+
+## Getting Help
+
+Run any command with `--help` to see detailed usage:
+
+```bash
+php artisan rsx:app:module:create --help
+```
+
+Use the man system for detailed documentation on specific topics:
+
+```bash
+php artisan rsx:man                    # List all topics
+php artisan rsx:man routing            # View routing documentation
+php artisan rsx:man jqhtml             # View jqhtml component documentation
+```