The Living Guidebook: Build a Self-Updating House Manual with AI
TL;DR: A living house manual is a mobile guide that stays up to date. It centralizes Wi-Fi, rules, appliance how-tos, local tips, and emergency info. Each month, refresh small parts (weather ideas, upcoming events, one new local pick) so guests get answers without messaging the host.
What is a living house manual?
A living house manual is a digital guide for guests that updates regularly. It keeps essentials like Wi-Fi, rules, appliance steps, local tips, and emergency info in one place so guests find answers fast without contacting the host.
Why hosts switch to a living guide
- Fewer questions: Guests self-serve answers (Wi-Fi, TV, thermostat, parking).
- Better reviews: Clear instructions reduce friction and late-night messages.
- Consistency: Every guest sees the same, current standards.
- Less work: Small AI edits keep it fresh without a full rewrite.
How do I build a living house manual?
- Create a simple online page or doc and add Wi-Fi, rules, appliance steps, local tips, and emergency info.
- Print one QR code that links to the guide and place it in three spots at home (entry, kitchen, bedside).
- Each month, refresh three items: weather ideas, upcoming events, and one new local pick.
What to include (blueprint)
- Welcome & Orientation — how to use the guide, contact hours, emergency numbers.
- House Rules (plain language) — quiet hours, visitors, pets, smoking, sensor disclosure, check-in/out basics.
- Wi-Fi & Access — network, password, how to reset router, smart-lock basics.
- Appliance How-Tos — short steps for thermostat, TV, washer/dryer, dishwasher, coffee maker.
- Local Essentials — grocery, pharmacy, late-night options, parking notes, nearest ATM.
- Neighborhood Picks — 10 places with one-line notes (breakfast, coffee, dinner, kid-friendly, outdoors).
- Weather-Aware Ideas — rainy-day vs. sunny-day plans.
- Transport & Navigation — “tap to navigate” addresses for home, parking, top spots.
- Family & Accessibility — stroller tips, high-chair, step counts, doorway widths if relevant.
- Safety & Emergencies — first-aid kit, breaker box, water shutoff, urgent care map link.
- Checkout Ritual — tidy list, trash instructions, key/lock steps, message template.
Options to set it up
| Option | How it works | Cost | Difficulty | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Simple doc + QR | Create a view-only document and link it with a printed QR code. | Low | Easy | Fast launch; minimal maintenance |
| Public web page | Build a single page on your site. Use headings and anchor links. | Low | Easy–Moderate | Better formatting; “tap to navigate” links |
| No-code hub | Use a simple content hub. Keep sections as cards; update small blocks monthly. | Low–Medium | Moderate | Polished look; faster updates |
AI prompts you can reuse
House Rules (plain, friendly):
“Rewrite these house rules in plain language, friendly and firm, max 8 bullets. Keep legal meaning intact. Remove jargon. Return only the bullet list.”
Appliance How-Tos (2–3 steps):
“Turn this appliance manual into a guest-friendly 2–3 step how-to. No brand terms, no technical language. Bold the step verbs.”
Neighborhood Picks (balanced list):
“Create a balanced list of 10 nearby places: 2 breakfast, 3 coffee/cafés, 2 dinner, 1 kid-friendly, 2 outdoors. One line each: what it is, vibe, and why a traveler might like it.”
Weather-Aware Suggestions:
“Write two short blocks: ‘Rainy day plans’ and ‘Sunny day plans’ for this city. 3 ideas per block. Friendly tone, max 50 words per block.”
7-day build plan
- Day 1: Draft the structure (sections above). Paste info you already message to guests.
- Day 2: Use AI to rewrite house rules and appliance steps in plain language.
- Day 3: Add Wi-Fi, access, and emergency info. Create “tap to navigate” links.
- Day 4: Write rainy vs. sunny plans. Add 10 neighborhood picks with one-line notes.
- Day 5: Make a one-page printable “Essentials” sheet as offline backup.
- Day 6: Print one QR and place it at entry, kitchen, and bedside. Test on a phone.