CARITO QUICK START GUIDE v1.0
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Document: Carrito_Quickstart.txt
Status: Public-Facing Quick Start
Applies To: New builders, readers, and first-time contributors

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WHAT THIS IS
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This is the fastest way to understand Carrito without reading
the full documentation stack.

If you want to know:
- What Carrito is
- How to start safely
- What not to do first

Start here.

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WHAT IS CARITO (IN ONE MINUTE)
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Carrito is a modular vehicle platform.

Instead of building a car around an engine,
Carrito builds the engine into a modular frame
that can be swapped later.

This lets you:
- Change power systems without rebuilding the vehicle
- Repair instead of replace
- Experiment without chaos

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THE GOLDEN RULE
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Do not modify the Motor Modular Frame (MMF) geometry.

Everything else is allowed *inside* the system.

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STEP 1 — CHOOSE YOUR GRID
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Start with:
Small Grid (SG)

Why:
- Simplest
- Baseline street-legal path
- Most documentation and examples

Do not start with Large Grid or Experimental builds.

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STEP 2 — USE A REFERENCE POWER FRAME
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Your first build should use a reference Power Frame:

- SG-PF-HF212 (simple engine)
- SG-PF-GEN4000 (generator hybrid)
- SG-PF-EV72V (electric)

These are known-good designs.

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STEP 3 — KEEP IT BASELINE
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For your first build:
- Compatibility Class A
- No experimental casting
- No custom engines
- No drivetrain hacks

Baseline builds are boring on purpose.

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STEP 4 — BUILD THE VEHICLE
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Focus on:
- Frame
- Steering
- Brakes
- Mounting the MMF correctly

If the vehicle rolls, steers, and stops,
you are doing it right.

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STEP 5 — ADD POWER LAST
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Install the Power Frame after the vehicle works.

This prevents:
- Chasing engine problems
- Masking chassis issues
- Burning motivation early

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STEP 6 — DOCUMENT EVERYTHING
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Keep:
- Serial numbers
- Build notes
- Power Frame specs

Documentation protects you later.

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OPTIONAL — HELPING HAND
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Helping Hand modules:
- Are optional
- Are powered separately
- Must not operate while driving

Add them after the vehicle is proven.

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WHEN TO EXPERIMENT
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Only experiment when:
- The baseline vehicle works
- You understand the system
- You accept Class C limitations

Experimentation is a second build,
not a first build.

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COMMON MISTAKES TO AVOID
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- Modifying the MMF cage
- Starting with experimental engines
- Casting engine internals at home
- Claiming street legality too early
- Skipping documentation

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WHERE TO GO NEXT
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After this guide:
- Read the Builder_Onboarding_Guide.txt
- Review the Master Index
- Pick one reference Power Frame

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SUMMARY
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Carrito rewards patience.

Build clean.
Build simple.
Upgrade later.

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END OF CARITO QUICK START GUIDE
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