First Value in 15 Minutes

This guide starts after pnpm run docker:dev is running from the public repository root.

1. Verify the local stack

Run:

pnpm run self-host:smoke

Expected result: the script finds pnpm, docker, and curl, then reports the API, onboarding status, and web app checks. If a service is not reachable, keep Docker running and retry after the containers finish starting.

2. Complete required setup

Open http://localhost:4748. On a new database, ThreadLens shows the setup wizard before the workspace.

Choose the fastest reliable AI path for self-hosting:

• Anthropic API key through ANTHROPIC_API_KEY, or
• Gemini API key through GEMINI_API_KEY.

Local CLI paths are advanced options for users who already have the CLI authenticated inside the runtime. They are not required for the first self-hosted run.

3. Create one research project

Use the checklist starter project or create one manually.

Recommended first project:

Field	Value
Slug	ai-note-taking
Display name	AI Note Taking Research
Mode	research

4. Add one narrow query

Start with one Reddit query because it is the lowest-friction first source.

Good first queries:

• meeting notes too time consuming
• forget action items after calls
• transcribing interviews workflow

Avoid broad first queries such as AI tools, productivity, or startup ideas because they produce noisy results.

5. Run one scout manually

Use the Scout button for the source you configured. ThreadLens does not run external scouts automatically during onboarding.

Wait for the run to complete before editing the query. If the run fails, read the error and check provider keys before changing project settings.

6. Inspect first findings

Open the strongest findings first:

• look for concrete complaints in the user’s words
• star promising findings
• exclude obvious noise
• delay reports until several findings share a repeated pain theme

7. Expand only after first review

After one completed scout, expand toward 8 enabled queries across at least 3 angles. Add Google only after PARALLEL_API_KEY is configured and Bluesky only after BLUESKY_HANDLE plus BLUESKY_APP_PASSWORD are configured.