feat: add absolute beginner entry point and restructure curriculum

Major curriculum overhaul to bridge the gap between "zero tech experience"
and the existing Level 0 projects:

- Add level-00-absolute-beginner with 15 exercises (no imports, no tests,
  heavy inline comments) progressing from print("hello") to a complete
  mini-program with functions, loops, and file reading
- Add 00_COMPUTER_LITERACY_PRIMER.md explaining what terminals, files,
  and programs are for true beginners
- Add START_HERE.md (20-line quick start)
- Add PROGRESS.md learner tracking checklist
- Add concepts/ directory with 7 standalone concept explainers
- Add CLAUDE.md for AI-assisted learning sessions

Restructure for reduced overwhelm:
- Move docs 16-50 into curriculum/ subdirectory (advanced path)
- Keep only docs 00-15 in root (foundation path)
- Update all cross-references and Next/Prev links
- Archive PythonBootcamp/ to _archive/
- Remove .ipynb_checkpoints, update .gitignore

CI fixes:
- Update check_root_doc_contract.sh for new directory structure
- Re-enable root doc contract check in CI workflow

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.6 <noreply@anthropic.com>

Author: travisjneuman

.github/workflows/curriculum-checks.yml

@@ -38,8 +38,7 @@ jobs:
       - name: Markdown link checks
         run: ./tools/check_markdown_links.sh
 
-      - name: Root doc contract checks (temporarily disabled)
-        if: ${{ false }}
+      - name: Root doc contract checks
         run: ./tools/check_root_doc_contract.sh
 
       - name: Level index contract checks

.gitignore

@@ -3,3 +3,5 @@ __pycache__/
 .venv/
 venv/
 .env
+.ipynb_checkpoints/
+*.ipynb_checkpoints/

.ipynb_checkpoints/Default-checkpoint.py

@@ -0,0 +1,134 @@
+# 00 - Computer Literacy Primer
+Home: [README](./README.md)
+
+Read this before anything else if you have never programmed before. If you already know what a terminal is and have used a text editor, skip to [01_ROADMAP.md](./01_ROADMAP.md).
+
+## What is programming?
+
+Programming is writing instructions for a computer to follow. That is it.
+
+A computer does not think. It does not guess. It reads your instructions one at a time, from top to bottom, and does exactly what you said. If you give it good instructions, it produces useful results. If you give it bad instructions, it tells you what went wrong (this is called an "error message" and they are helpful, not scary).
+
+Python is one language you can use to write those instructions. It was designed to be readable and beginner-friendly. It is also used professionally by engineers at every major company.
+
+## What is a file?
+
+A file is a container for data stored on your computer. Every document, photo, song, and program is a file.
+
+Files have names and extensions. The extension is the part after the dot:
+- `report.docx` — a Word document
+- `photo.jpg` — an image
+- `hello.py` — a Python script
+
+The `.py` extension tells your computer "this is a Python file." When you write Python code, you will create `.py` files.
+
+## What is a folder (directory)?
+
+A folder is a container for files. Folders can contain other folders. This creates a tree structure:
+
+```
+my_computer/
+    Documents/
+        report.docx
+        budget.xlsx
+    Projects/
+        learn_python/
+            hello.py
+            exercise.py
+```
+
+The "path" is the address of a file or folder. It tells the computer exactly where to find something:
+- Windows: `C:\Users\Travis\Projects\learn_python\hello.py`
+- Mac/Linux: `/Users/Travis/Projects/learn_python/hello.py`
+
+## What is a text editor?
+
+A text editor is a program for writing plain text files. It is different from Microsoft Word:
+- Word saves formatted text (bold, fonts, margins) — computers cannot run this as code
+- A text editor saves plain text — just characters, no formatting
+
+**VS Code** (Visual Studio Code) is the text editor recommended in this course. It is free, made by Microsoft, and specifically designed for writing code. It highlights your code in different colors to make it easier to read, catches mistakes as you type, and has a built-in terminal.
+
+Other text editors you may hear about: Sublime Text, Notepad++, Vim. They all work. VS Code is the easiest to start with.
+
+## What is a terminal?
+
+The terminal (also called "command line" or "command prompt") is a text-based way to talk to your computer. Instead of clicking icons and menus, you type commands.
+
+It looks like this:
+```
+C:\Users\Travis> _
+```
+
+The blinking cursor means the terminal is waiting for you to type a command.
+
+### How to open the terminal
+
+**Windows:**
+- Press the Windows key, type "PowerShell", click "Windows PowerShell"
+- Or: press the Windows key, type "cmd", click "Command Prompt"
+- Or: in VS Code, press Ctrl+` (backtick, the key above Tab)
+
+**Mac:**
+- Press Cmd+Space, type "Terminal", press Enter
+- Or: in VS Code, press Ctrl+` (backtick)
+
+**Linux:**
+- Press Ctrl+Alt+T (on most distributions)
+- Or: in VS Code, press Ctrl+`
+
+### Basic terminal commands
+
+You only need a few commands to start:
+
+| Command | What it does | Example |
+|---------|-------------|---------|
+| `cd` | Change directory (go to a folder) | `cd Projects` |
+| `ls` (Mac/Linux) or `dir` (Windows) | List files in current folder | `ls` |
+| `python` | Start Python interactive mode | `python` |
+| `python file.py` | Run a Python file | `python hello.py` |
+| `exit()` | Leave Python interactive mode | `exit()` |
+
+When you type `cd Projects`, you are telling the computer "move into the Projects folder." When you type `python hello.py`, you are saying "run the file hello.py using Python."
+
+## What does "running code" mean?
+
+When you "run" a Python file, this happens:
+
+1. You type `python hello.py` in the terminal
+2. The Python program reads your file from top to bottom
+3. It executes each instruction one at a time
+4. If an instruction produces output (like `print("Hello")`), you see it in the terminal
+5. When it reaches the end of the file, it stops
+
+That is it. Your file does not change. The computer just read it and followed the instructions.
+
+## What is an error message?
+
+When Python cannot understand or execute your instructions, it shows an error message. Error messages are not punishment — they are Python telling you exactly what went wrong and where.
+
+Example:
+```
+File "hello.py", line 3
+    print("Hello)
+                ^
+SyntaxError: unterminated string literal
+```
+
+This tells you:
+- The problem is in `hello.py`, line 3
+- The `^` points to where Python got confused
+- `SyntaxError: unterminated string literal` means you forgot to close a quote
+
+Read error messages carefully. They almost always tell you what to fix.
+
+## What you need to remember
+
+1. A program is a file full of instructions
+2. Python reads those instructions top to bottom
+3. The terminal is where you tell the computer to run your program
+4. Errors are helpful clues, not failures
+5. You do not need to memorize anything — understanding the pattern is enough
+
+## Next
+Go to [01_ROADMAP.md](./01_ROADMAP.md).

.ipynb_checkpoints/myfirstnotebook-checkpoint.ipynb

@@ -183,39 +183,39 @@ Fail/recover guidance:
 - A complete progression from beginner to enterprise-capable Python practitioner.
 - A portfolio of capstones tied to your real data systems.
 - A clear upgrade path to full-stack expert mastery:
-  - [21_FULL_STACK_MASTERY_PATH.md](./21_FULL_STACK_MASTERY_PATH.md)
-  - [22_SPECIALIZATION_TRACKS.md](./22_SPECIALIZATION_TRACKS.md)
-  - [23_RESOURCE_AND_CURRICULUM_MAP.md](./23_RESOURCE_AND_CURRICULUM_MAP.md)
-  - [24_MASTERY_SCORING_AND_GATES.md](./24_MASTERY_SCORING_AND_GATES.md)
-  - [25_INFINITY_MASTERY_LOOP.md](./25_INFINITY_MASTERY_LOOP.md)
+  - [21_FULL_STACK_MASTERY_PATH.md](./curriculum/21_FULL_STACK_MASTERY_PATH.md)
+  - [22_SPECIALIZATION_TRACKS.md](./curriculum/22_SPECIALIZATION_TRACKS.md)
+  - [23_RESOURCE_AND_CURRICULUM_MAP.md](./curriculum/23_RESOURCE_AND_CURRICULUM_MAP.md)
+  - [24_MASTERY_SCORING_AND_GATES.md](./curriculum/24_MASTERY_SCORING_AND_GATES.md)
+  - [25_INFINITY_MASTERY_LOOP.md](./curriculum/25_INFINITY_MASTERY_LOOP.md)
 - A literal, no-assumptions execution path for absolute beginners:
-  - [26_ZERO_TO_MASTER_PLAYBOOK.md](./26_ZERO_TO_MASTER_PLAYBOOK.md)
-  - [27_DAY_0_TO_DAY_30_BOOTSTRAP.md](./27_DAY_0_TO_DAY_30_BOOTSTRAP.md)
-  - [28_LEVEL_0_TO_2_DEEP_GUIDE.md](./28_LEVEL_0_TO_2_DEEP_GUIDE.md)
-  - [29_LEVEL_3_TO_5_DEEP_GUIDE.md](./29_LEVEL_3_TO_5_DEEP_GUIDE.md)
-  - [30_LEVEL_6_TO_8_DEEP_GUIDE.md](./30_LEVEL_6_TO_8_DEEP_GUIDE.md)
-  - [31_LEVEL_9_TO_10_AND_BEYOND.md](./31_LEVEL_9_TO_10_AND_BEYOND.md)
-  - [32_DAILY_SESSION_SCRIPT.md](./32_DAILY_SESSION_SCRIPT.md)
-  - [33_WEEKLY_REVIEW_TEMPLATE.md](./33_WEEKLY_REVIEW_TEMPLATE.md)
-  - [34_FAILURE_RECOVERY_ATLAS.md](./34_FAILURE_RECOVERY_ATLAS.md)
-  - [35_CAPSTONE_BLUEPRINTS.md](./35_CAPSTONE_BLUEPRINTS.md)
+  - [26_ZERO_TO_MASTER_PLAYBOOK.md](./curriculum/26_ZERO_TO_MASTER_PLAYBOOK.md)
+  - [27_DAY_0_TO_DAY_30_BOOTSTRAP.md](./curriculum/27_DAY_0_TO_DAY_30_BOOTSTRAP.md)
+  - [28_LEVEL_0_TO_2_DEEP_GUIDE.md](./curriculum/28_LEVEL_0_TO_2_DEEP_GUIDE.md)
+  - [29_LEVEL_3_TO_5_DEEP_GUIDE.md](./curriculum/29_LEVEL_3_TO_5_DEEP_GUIDE.md)
+  - [30_LEVEL_6_TO_8_DEEP_GUIDE.md](./curriculum/30_LEVEL_6_TO_8_DEEP_GUIDE.md)
+  - [31_LEVEL_9_TO_10_AND_BEYOND.md](./curriculum/31_LEVEL_9_TO_10_AND_BEYOND.md)
+  - [32_DAILY_SESSION_SCRIPT.md](./curriculum/32_DAILY_SESSION_SCRIPT.md)
+  - [33_WEEKLY_REVIEW_TEMPLATE.md](./curriculum/33_WEEKLY_REVIEW_TEMPLATE.md)
+  - [34_FAILURE_RECOVERY_ATLAS.md](./curriculum/34_FAILURE_RECOVERY_ATLAS.md)
+  - [35_CAPSTONE_BLUEPRINTS.md](./curriculum/35_CAPSTONE_BLUEPRINTS.md)
 - A world-class elite extension path:
-  - [36_ELITE_ENGINEERING_TRACK.md](./36_ELITE_ENGINEERING_TRACK.md)
-  - [37_QUARTERLY_EXAMS_AND_DEFENSES.md](./37_QUARTERLY_EXAMS_AND_DEFENSES.md)
-  - [38_SYSTEM_DESIGN_AND_RFCS.md](./38_SYSTEM_DESIGN_AND_RFCS.md)
-  - [39_PRODUCTION_PLATFORM_LAB.md](./39_PRODUCTION_PLATFORM_LAB.md)
-  - [40_SECURITY_COMPLIANCE_HARDENING.md](./40_SECURITY_COMPLIANCE_HARDENING.md)
-  - [41_PERFORMANCE_ENGINEERING_LAB.md](./41_PERFORMANCE_ENGINEERING_LAB.md)
-  - [42_OPEN_SOURCE_CONTRIBUTION_LANE.md](./42_OPEN_SOURCE_CONTRIBUTION_LANE.md)
-  - [43_PUBLIC_PROOF_OF_WORK_PORTFOLIO.md](./43_PUBLIC_PROOF_OF_WORK_PORTFOLIO.md)
-  - [44_SME_INTERVIEW_AND_DEBATE_BANK.md](./44_SME_INTERVIEW_AND_DEBATE_BANK.md)
-  - [45_MASTERY_TELEMETRY_AND_REMEDIATION.md](./45_MASTERY_TELEMETRY_AND_REMEDIATION.md)
+  - [36_ELITE_ENGINEERING_TRACK.md](./curriculum/36_ELITE_ENGINEERING_TRACK.md)
+  - [37_QUARTERLY_EXAMS_AND_DEFENSES.md](./curriculum/37_QUARTERLY_EXAMS_AND_DEFENSES.md)
+  - [38_SYSTEM_DESIGN_AND_RFCS.md](./curriculum/38_SYSTEM_DESIGN_AND_RFCS.md)
+  - [39_PRODUCTION_PLATFORM_LAB.md](./curriculum/39_PRODUCTION_PLATFORM_LAB.md)
+  - [40_SECURITY_COMPLIANCE_HARDENING.md](./curriculum/40_SECURITY_COMPLIANCE_HARDENING.md)
+  - [41_PERFORMANCE_ENGINEERING_LAB.md](./curriculum/41_PERFORMANCE_ENGINEERING_LAB.md)
+  - [42_OPEN_SOURCE_CONTRIBUTION_LANE.md](./curriculum/42_OPEN_SOURCE_CONTRIBUTION_LANE.md)
+  - [43_PUBLIC_PROOF_OF_WORK_PORTFOLIO.md](./curriculum/43_PUBLIC_PROOF_OF_WORK_PORTFOLIO.md)
+  - [44_SME_INTERVIEW_AND_DEBATE_BANK.md](./curriculum/44_SME_INTERVIEW_AND_DEBATE_BANK.md)
+  - [45_MASTERY_TELEMETRY_AND_REMEDIATION.md](./curriculum/45_MASTERY_TELEMETRY_AND_REMEDIATION.md)
 - A universal learner-adaptive completion path:
-  - [46_ACCESSIBILITY_AND_LEARNING_PROFILE_PLAYBOOK.md](./46_ACCESSIBILITY_AND_LEARNING_PROFILE_PLAYBOOK.md)
-  - [47_DIAGNOSTIC_AND_PERSONALIZED_STUDY_ENGINE.md](./47_DIAGNOSTIC_AND_PERSONALIZED_STUDY_ENGINE.md)
-  - [48_MISCONCEPTION_AND_FAILURE_ATLAS_EXPANDED.md](./48_MISCONCEPTION_AND_FAILURE_ATLAS_EXPANDED.md)
-  - [49_COMPETENCY_COVERAGE_AND_GAP_CLOSURE_MATRIX.md](./49_COMPETENCY_COVERAGE_AND_GAP_CLOSURE_MATRIX.md)
-  - [50_CERTIFICATION_GRADE_COMPLETION_PROTOCOL.md](./50_CERTIFICATION_GRADE_COMPLETION_PROTOCOL.md)
+  - [46_ACCESSIBILITY_AND_LEARNING_PROFILE_PLAYBOOK.md](./curriculum/46_ACCESSIBILITY_AND_LEARNING_PROFILE_PLAYBOOK.md)
+  - [47_DIAGNOSTIC_AND_PERSONALIZED_STUDY_ENGINE.md](./curriculum/47_DIAGNOSTIC_AND_PERSONALIZED_STUDY_ENGINE.md)
+  - [48_MISCONCEPTION_AND_FAILURE_ATLAS_EXPANDED.md](./curriculum/48_MISCONCEPTION_AND_FAILURE_ATLAS_EXPANDED.md)
+  - [49_COMPETENCY_COVERAGE_AND_GAP_CLOSURE_MATRIX.md](./curriculum/49_COMPETENCY_COVERAGE_AND_GAP_CLOSURE_MATRIX.md)
+  - [50_CERTIFICATION_GRADE_COMPLETION_PROTOCOL.md](./curriculum/50_CERTIFICATION_GRADE_COMPLETION_PROTOCOL.md)
 - Elite systems projects for advanced practice:
   - [projects/elite-track/README.md](./projects/elite-track/README.md)
 

00_COMPUTER_LITERACY_PRIMER.md

@@ -164,4 +164,4 @@ A learner is "SME-ready" when they can reliably:
 - [Pro Git Book](https://git-scm.com/book/en/v2.html)
 
 ## Next
-Go to [16_LEARNER_PROFILE_AND_PLACEMENT.md](./16_LEARNER_PROFILE_AND_PLACEMENT.md).
+Go to [16_LEARNER_PROFILE_AND_PLACEMENT.md](./curriculum/16_LEARNER_PROFILE_AND_PLACEMENT.md).

01_ROADMAP.md

@@ -0,0 +1,82 @@
+# learn.python — AI Tutor Configuration
+
+> This file configures AI sessions for the Python learning curriculum.
+
+## What This Repo Is
+
+A comprehensive Python curriculum: zero tech experience to world-class full-stack mastery. Contains 50+ sequenced documents, 175+ hands-on projects across 12 levels, CI validation tooling, and a personalized study plan generator.
+
+## Learner Context
+
+- **Current level:** Absolute beginner (update this as you progress)
+- **Current position:** Starting at level-00-absolute-beginner
+- **Hours/week:** 8-10
+- **Learning mode:** Hybrid (structured weekdays, exploration weekends)
+
+## AI Tutoring Rules
+
+### DO
+- **Explain concepts** in plain language before showing code
+- **Ask the learner to predict** what code will do before running it
+- **Guide debugging** by asking "what does the error message say?" before giving the fix
+- **Celebrate progress** — learning to code is hard, especially from zero
+- **Connect new concepts** to things the learner already understands
+- **Use the Socratic method** — ask questions that lead to understanding
+
+### DO NOT
+- **Write code for the learner** unless they are truly stuck after trying
+- **Skip ahead** in the curriculum — follow the level sequence
+- **Use jargon** without defining it first
+- **Give the answer** when the learner has not attempted the problem
+- **Overwhelm** with edge cases when the learner is learning fundamentals
+
+### When the learner is stuck
+1. Ask them to read the error message out loud
+2. Ask what they think the error means
+3. Point them to the relevant line/concept
+4. If still stuck after 2-3 hints, show the fix WITH explanation
+
+## Curriculum Structure
+
+```
+Root docs (learning path):
+  00_COMPUTER_LITERACY_PRIMER.md  → What is a computer/terminal/file
+  01_ROADMAP.md                   → Full program overview
+  02_GLOSSARY.md                  → Key terms defined
+  03_SETUP_ALL_PLATFORMS.md       → Install Python
+  04_FOUNDATIONS.md               → Core Python concepts
+  05-10: Domain skills            → Excel, SQL, SolarWinds, Dashboards
+  11-15: Support infrastructure   → Checklists, checkpoints, schemas
+
+curriculum/ (advanced path, docs 16-50):
+  Docs 16-25: Assessment, mastery scoring, specialization
+  Docs 26-35: Zero-to-master execution layer
+  Docs 36-45: Elite engineering track
+  Docs 46-50: Adaptive learning layer
+
+projects/ (hands-on practice):
+  level-00-absolute-beginner/  → 15 exercises (no imports, no tests)
+  level-0/ through level-10/   → 15 projects each (full structure)
+  elite-track/                 → 10 advanced projects
+```
+
+## Session Workflow
+
+When starting a learning session:
+1. Check PROGRESS.md for current position
+2. Load the relevant exercise/project
+3. Follow the curriculum sequence — do not skip ahead
+4. Update PROGRESS.md when exercises/projects are completed
+
+## Project Conventions
+
+- **level-00:** Single `exercise.py` + `TRY_THIS.md`, no tests, no imports
+- **level-0 through level-10:** Full structure (README, project.py, tests/, data/, notes.md)
+- **Elite track:** Advanced structure with architecture docs
+
+## Tech Stack
+
+- Python 3.11+
+- pytest (testing, from Level 0 onward)
+- Ruff (linting, from Level 0 onward)
+- Black (formatting, from Level 0 onward)