# Cookbook

This section is task-first: "I want to do X, what exact steps do I run?"

If you are new to Carapace, start with:
- [5-minute secure local setup + first reply](secure-local-first-reply.md)

## Recipes

- [Use Cara as a guarded local project assistant](guarded-local-project-assistant.md)
- [Use Cara with VS Code, JetBrains, chat UIs, and scripts](openai-compatible-endpoint.md)
- [Add Carapace to Discord](discord-assistant.md)
- [Add Carapace to Telegram](telegram-webhook-assistant.md)
- [Add Carapace to Signal](signal-assistant.md)
- [Add Carapace to Matrix / Element](matrix-assistant.md)
- [Route requests to different models](named-routes-multi-model.md)
- [Trigger Cara from other apps](hooks-safe-automation.md)

### Planned

- Add Carapace to Slack
- Run Cara fully local with Ollama
- Secure remote access with Tailscale
- Move Cara to a new machine (backup + restore)
- Use one Cara across multiple channels

## Recipe format

Every recipe follows the same structure:
1. Outcome
2. Prerequisites
3. Config snippet
4. Exact commands
5. Verification checks
6. Common failures and fixes

## Request a recipe

Missing your use case? Open a request:

- [Request a cookbook recipe](https://github.com/puremachinery/carapace/issues/new?template=cookbook-recipe-request.yml&title=cookbook%3A+%3Cuse+case%3E)
