ikea-instruction-reader

Decode, track, and guide through furniture assembly instructions from step diagrams. Manages parts inventory, tracks assembly progress, identifies the current step from a photo, and warns about common mistakes. Use when assembling flat-pack furniture or following visual-only instruction manuals.

Overview

Flat-pack furniture manuals are famously wordless — they use only line drawings with numbered steps, no text. This skill helps users navigate these manuals by: tracking which parts and hardware have been used, identifying which step a user is on from a photo, providing verbal guidance for each step, warning about common mistakes (like inserting cam locks backwards), and maintaining a progress tracker. It turns a frustrating "stare at the picture" experience into a guided assembly.

When to Use

• A user is assembling flat-pack furniture (IKEA, Wayfair, Target, etc.) and needs help understanding the instructions
• A user wants to verify they have all parts before starting
• A user needs to identify which step they're on from a photo of their progress
• A user is stuck on a particular step and needs it explained in words
• A user wants a pre-assembly checklist of tools needed
• Don't use for: furniture that comes fully assembled, or video tutorials (this is for printed/diagram-based instructions)

Core Features

1. Parts Tracker (scripts/assembly_tracker.py)

Tracks all parts and hardware throughout the assembly process:

• Initialize from a manifest (part numbers, quantities, descriptions)
• Check off parts as they're used per step
• Flag missing parts before you reach the step that needs them
• Generate a "completion percentage" estimate

2. Step Guide (scripts/step_guide.py)

Provides text guidance for diagram-only steps:

• Translates visual actions into written instructions
• Highlights common mistakes per step type
• Generates a tool checklist for the whole project

Numbered Workflow

1. Inventory check: List all parts and hardware before starting. Verify quantities match the manifest.
2. Tool prep: Identify all tools needed (Allen key, screwdriver, hammer, etc.) and gather them.
3. Step-by-step guidance: For each step, read the parts used, the action, and any warnings.
4. Progress tracking: Mark each step complete and check off parts used.
5. Error prevention: Warn about orientation mistakes, wrong hardware, skipped steps.

Common Pitfalls

1. Cam lock orientation. Cam locks must be inserted with the arrow pointing toward the corresponding dowel. Inserting backwards is the #1 assembly error. Always check the arrow direction.

2. Wood dowel vs. cam lock confusion. Dowels go into pre-drilled holes for alignment; cam locks secure joints. They look similar in diagrams. Check the diameter.

3. Left/right panel confusion. Many furniture pieces have a "good side" facing out. Diagrams show this with a subtle texture difference. When in doubt, the finished edge faces away from the wall/back.

4. Not pre-sorting hardware. IKEA bags hardware by type, but mixing them on the work surface leads to using the wrong screw. Sort by type before starting.

5. Skipping the wall-anchor step. Bookcases and dressers MUST be anchored to the wall for safety. This step is often at the end and easy to skip.

Verification Checklist

• All parts counted and matched to manifest
• Required tools gathered before starting
• Hardware sorted by type
• Each step's parts checked off after use
• Cam lock arrows verified before tightening
• Wall anchor installed (for tall furniture)

Example Session

User: "I'm assembling a KALLAX shelf. I have the manual open to step 3 but I'm confused."

Agent: Based on common KALLAX assembly patterns, step 3 typically involves connecting the side panels to the top/bottom using wooden dowels and cam locks. Let me guide you:

1. Insert 8 wooden dowels into the pre-drilled holes on the top panel edges
2. Place the side panels onto the dowels
3. Insert cam locks into the round holes — arrow pointing toward the dowel
4. Tighten cam locks clockwise with a screwdriver until snug
5. Parts used this step: 2× side panels, 1× top panel, 8× dowels, 8× cam locks

Would you like me to track these parts as used?