START HERE
• What a Raspberry Pi can do, how to choose a model, and the basic setup flow.
• Imaging the microSD card the right way (with headless options ready).
• First boot: update the OS, change default password, set locale/timezone/keyboard.
• Learn the basics of Raspberry Pi OS and the raspi-config tool.
• Grab a beginner-friendly handbook so you’ve got one place to reference Linux + projects.
SECURE, HEADLESS SETUP
• Prep a headless image: set hostname, Wi-Fi, SSH keys, and user in the imager’s advanced options.
• On first boot, verify the device on your router, SSH in, and finish hardening: new user, disable password SSH, enable the firewall, set up automatic updates.
HOME INFRASTRUCTURE THAT PAYS FOR ITSELF
• Pi-hole for network-wide ad/tracker blocking.
• Private VPN with WireGuard so you can reach your home network securely from anywhere (works great alongside Pi-hole).
• Tailscale for zero-friction remote access across your devices without port-forwarding.
• Home Assistant as your local smart-home brain.
SHOP / MAKER WORKFLOW
• OctoPrint to control and monitor a 3D printer.
• Camera setup: connect and enable the new camera stack, test capture, and set stills/video defaults.
LOCAL SECURITY CAMERAS (PRIVATE NVR)
• Frigate NVR on a Pi with a USB Coral if possible (object detection on-device), RTSP cameras, motion zones, and local recording to a drive.
PROJECT IDEAS WHEN YOU’RE READY
• Browse official projects and MagPi roundups for weekend builds: smart doorbell, weather station, timelapse rig, retro gaming, and more.
• Keep a notebook of each build: parts list, commands used, network details, and any fixes—so every project is easier to maintain.
Getting started
• Raspberry Pi “Getting Started” guide:
https://www.raspberrypi.com/documentation/computers/getting-started.html
• Raspberry Pi Imager (with headless options):
https://www.raspberrypi.com/software
• Raspberry Pi OS basics & raspi-config:
https://www.raspberrypi.com/documentation/computers/configuration.html
• The MagPi (official magazine) beginner handbook:
https://magpi.raspberrypi.com/books/beginners-guide
Headless & security
• Enable SSH/Wi-Fi during imaging:
https://www.raspberrypi.com/news/raspberry-pi-imager-imaging-utility
• SSH into your Pi (official):
https://www.raspberrypi.com/documentation/computers/remote-access.html
Home infrastructure
• Pi-hole:
https://pi-hole.net
• WireGuard (docs):
https://www.wireguard.com/install
• Tailscale on Raspberry Pi:
https://tailscale.com/kb/1131/raspberry-pi
• Home Assistant install:
https://www.home-assistant.io/installation/raspberrypi
Maker workflow
• OctoPrint:
https://octoprint.org/download
• Camera documentation:
https://www.raspberrypi.com/documentation/computers/camera_software.html
Local NVR
• Frigate:
https://docs.frigate.video
Projects
• Official Projects:
https://projects.raspberrypi.org
• MagPi projects:
https://magpi.raspberrypi.com
Click Here To Change Your Life
https://manoffocus.community.forum/forums/empire-ring.17/