Nitro setup checklist — RAM swap, file transfer, software install

Complete step-by-step for setting up the Nitro as Michael's daily driver.
Covers RAM swap, USB file transfer, MobaXterm session fix, CurseForge,
Claude Desktop/Code/Cowork install, and MCP connector setup.

Claude (Chronicler #82)

docs/planning/nitro-setup-checklist.md

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+# Acer Nitro 5 Setup Checklist
+
+**Created:** April 12, 2026 by Chronicler #82  
+**Purpose:** Everything to do when setting up the Nitro as Michael's daily driver  
+**Do this AFTER the RAM swap (2x16GB from Omen installed)**
+
+---
+
+## Phase 1: RAM Swap & Boot
+
+- [ ] Pull 2x16GB DDR4-2666 from Omen
+- [ ] Pull battery from Omen (case split)
+- [ ] Install 2x16GB in Nitro (replace the 8GB)
+- [ ] Put Nitro's 8GB leftovers in Omen
+- [ ] Boot Nitro, verify 32GB recognized in Task Manager → Performance → Memory
+
+---
+
+## Phase 2: File Transfer (USB 5TB Drive)
+
+### Copy FROM Envy to USB drive:
+
+- [ ] `C:\Users\[You]\Downloads`
+- [ ] `C:\Users\[You]\Documents`
+- [ ] `C:\Users\[You]\Pictures`
+- [ ] `C:\Users\[You]\Videos`
+- [ ] `C:\Users\[You]\Documents\MobaXterm` (sessions + keys)
+- [ ] `C:\Users\[You]\curseforge\minecraft\Instances` (all modpacks)
+
+### Copy FROM USB drive to Nitro (same paths):
+
+- [ ] Downloads → `C:\Users\[You]\Downloads`
+- [ ] Documents → `C:\Users\[You]\Documents`
+- [ ] Pictures → `C:\Users\[You]\Pictures`
+- [ ] Videos → `C:\Users\[You]\Videos`
+- [ ] MobaXterm folder → `C:\Users\[You]\Documents\MobaXterm`
+- [ ] CurseForge Instances → `C:\Users\[You]\curseforge\minecraft\Instances`
+
+---
+
+## Phase 3: Essential Software Install
+
+### Priority 1 (Do first)
+- [ ] **Chrome or Firefox** — sign in to sync bookmarks/passwords
+- [ ] **Discord** — sign in
+- [ ] **MobaXterm** — install, verify sessions loaded from Documents\MobaXterm
+- [ ] **CurseForge** — install, verify instances detected
+
+### Priority 2 (Firefrost tools)
+- [ ] **Claude Desktop** — download from claude.ai/download
+- [ ] **Claude Code** — install via terminal: `npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code`
+  - Requires Node.js installed first (download LTS from nodejs.org)
+- [ ] **Cowork** — download from claude.ai/download (same page as Desktop)
+- [ ] **OBS Studio** — for streaming/recording (uses NVENC on the GTX 1650)
+
+### Priority 3 (Nice to have)
+- [ ] **VS Code** — if you want to edit code locally
+- [ ] **Git for Windows** — for local repo work
+- [ ] **VLC** — media player
+- [ ] **7-Zip** — file compression
+
+---
+
+## Phase 4: MobaXterm Session Fix
+
+If SSH sessions can't find keys after the move:
+
+1. Open MobaXterm
+2. Right-click a session → Edit Session
+3. Go to Advanced SSH Settings
+4. Update the key path to the new location:
+   `C:\Users\[NewUsername]\Documents\MobaXterm\[keyfile]`
+5. Or if the key is in a different spot, browse to where you copied it
+6. Test the connection
+7. Repeat for each session
+
+**Your servers:**
+- Command Center: 63.143.34.217
+- TX1 Dallas: 38.68.14.26
+- NC1 Charlotte: 216.239.104.130
+- Panel VPS: 45.94.168.138
+- Dev Panel: 64.50.188.128
+- Wiki VPS: 64.50.188.14 (login: architect, not root)
+- Services VPS: 38.68.14.188
+
+---
+
+## Phase 5: Claude Desktop MCP Setup
+
+After Claude Desktop is installed, connect your MCP servers:
+
+1. Open Claude Desktop settings
+2. Add MCP connectors:
+   - **Trinity Core** — mcp.firefrostgaming.com (SSH to all 7 servers)
+   - **Stripe** — payment data
+   - **Google Calendar** — scheduling
+   - **Gmail** — email
+   - **Canva** — design
+3. Test with: "List my Firefrost servers"
+
+---
+
+## Phase 6: Verify Everything Works
+
+- [ ] 32GB RAM confirmed
+- [ ] All files accessible
+- [ ] MobaXterm connects to servers
+- [ ] CurseForge launches modpacks
+- [ ] Discord working
+- [ ] Claude Desktop responding
+- [ ] OBS detects GTX 1650 for NVENC encoding
+
+---
+
+## Notes
+
+- The Envy becomes your mobile machine after this — don't wipe it
+- Keep the 5TB drive as a backup until you're confident everything transferred
+- CurseForge might need Java installed if it's not bundled with the modpacks
+- The GTX 1650 driver should already be installed on the Nitro — if not, download from nvidia.com
+
+---
+
+**Fire + Frost + Foundation = Where Love Builds Legacy** 💙🔥❄️