# AI use cases for Pocket Tank (mediacutlet/pocket-tank) Repo: [mediacutlet/pocket-tank](https://github.com/mediacutlet/pocket-tank) | Use cases: 3 | Page: https://dedupedai.com/use-cases/mediacutlet-pocket-tank/ pocket-tank is an open C project that runs a 14M-parameter distilled language model on an ESP32-S3 microcontroller to decide what virtual fish do in a small tank, with no network needed. This file holds every use case of this repo. Each one starts with a "## " heading and ends with its URL. - Watch the fish brain decide in the PC simulator: https://dedupedai.com/use-cases/mediacutlet-pocket-tank/watch-fish-decisions-in-pc-simulator/ - Flash a pocket tank onto a board from a browser: https://dedupedai.com/use-cases/mediacutlet-pocket-tank/flash-tank-from-browser/ - Test the firmware in QEMU without a board: https://dedupedai.com/use-cases/mediacutlet-pocket-tank/run-firmware-in-qemu-without-hardware/ ## How to watch the fish brain decide in the PC simulator with Pocket Tank Repo: [mediacutlet/pocket-tank](https://github.com/mediacutlet/pocket-tank) | Difficulty: Intermediate | Time: 45 minutes | Basis: From the README Run the desktop simulator to see the model's goals and urgencies drive a virtual tank, with no board needed. **Who it is for:** A developer or hobbyist with a PC who wants to see how a small on-device language model picks fish behavior before buying hardware. **The problem:** Reading about a 14M-parameter model on a microcontroller is hard to picture without seeing the decisions happen. **The outcome:** A running tank on your PC where each fish's state line is answered with a goal and urgency, and you can see fish hesitate when the model is unsure. ### Steps 1. Clone the repo: `git clone https://github.com/mediacutlet/pocket-tank` (inferred) (inferred, check the README) 2. Open the README section 'Try it: PC simulator' and follow its build steps 3. Start the simulator and tap a fish to open its stats card 4. Compare the state line in the README with what the simulator shows for the same fish 5. Watch for a fish that pauses before committing and note the urgency it reports ### Prompt to paste into your agent ```text Use the mediacutlet/pocket-tank repo on GitHub. Follow the 'Try it: PC simulator' section to build and run the simulator on this machine, then report the goal and urgency the model assigns to the first fish you see. Verify that the simulator runs without error and that a state line appears for at least one fish. ``` ### Caveat The README shows the simulator as a section but the exact build commands are not in the excerpt, so you must read that section before running anything. Disclaimer: Third-party repos we don't own or vouch for. AI-generated use cases can be wrong: review everything and run at your own risk. Full text: https://dedupedai.com/disclaimer/ URL: https://dedupedai.com/use-cases/mediacutlet-pocket-tank/watch-fish-decisions-in-pc-simulator/ ## How to flash a pocket tank onto a board from a browser with Pocket Tank Repo: [mediacutlet/pocket-tank](https://github.com/mediacutlet/pocket-tank) | Difficulty: Beginner | Time: 30 minutes | Basis: From the README Install the firmware on a supported Waveshare board from the install page, with no toolchain. **Who it is for:** A hobbyist who has bought one of the four supported Waveshare boards and wants a working tank without setting up a build environment. **The problem:** Building embedded firmware from source takes a toolchain and time that a first-time user may not want to set up. **The outcome:** A board running a live tank with the fish brain on the chip, with later updates arriving over Wi-Fi from v0.3. ### Steps 1. Get one of the supported boards: the 1.8-inch, pendant, watch, or square 2. Connect the board to your computer with a USB cable 3. Open https://pocketank.com/install/ in your browser 4. Follow the install page to put the firmware on the board 5. Check the settings page on the tank for the version number, which should match the current release ### Prompt to paste into your agent ```text Open https://pocketank.com/install/ for the pocket-tank project from the mediacutlet/pocket-tank repo and report the install steps shown for the connected board. Verify that the settings page on the tank reports a version after install. ``` ### Caveat The README says the current release is v0.3.8 and is alpha, so expect changes between releases. Risk, remote script: The install page is hosted outside GitHub, so review what it asks your computer to do before you accept any flash prompt. Disclaimer: Third-party repos we don't own or vouch for. AI-generated use cases can be wrong: review everything and run at your own risk. Full text: https://dedupedai.com/disclaimer/ URL: https://dedupedai.com/use-cases/mediacutlet-pocket-tank/flash-tank-from-browser/ ## How to test the firmware in QEMU without a board with Pocket Tank Repo: [mediacutlet/pocket-tank](https://github.com/mediacutlet/pocket-tank) | Difficulty: Advanced | Time: 60 minutes | Basis: From the README Run the ESP32-S3 firmware in QEMU to check the tank logic before flashing real hardware. **Who it is for:** An embedded developer who wants to test changes to the reflex layer or model code without a physical board on the desk. **The problem:** Each hardware test cycle costs time and risks a bad flash, and a board may not be on hand. **The outcome:** A firmware build running inside QEMU that you can check against the README behavior before you touch hardware. ### Steps 1. Clone the repo: `git clone https://github.com/mediacutlet/pocket-tank` (inferred) (inferred, check the README) 2. Open the README section 'Try it: firmware in QEMU' and install the tools it lists 3. Build the firmware following that section 4. Start the QEMU run and confirm the tank renders 5. Compare a fish's state line and reflex motion against the README example ### Prompt to paste into your agent ```text Use the mediacutlet/pocket-tank repo. Follow the 'Try it: firmware in QEMU' section to build and boot the firmware in QEMU, then report whether the tank screen renders and which goal the first fish selects. Verify that the boot finishes without a crash. ``` ### Caveat The README mentions QEMU but the exact tool setup and commands are not in the excerpt, so read that section in full before you install anything. Disclaimer: Third-party repos we don't own or vouch for. AI-generated use cases can be wrong: review everything and run at your own risk. Full text: https://dedupedai.com/disclaimer/ URL: https://dedupedai.com/use-cases/mediacutlet-pocket-tank/run-firmware-in-qemu-without-hardware/