---
title: "ai-getting-started vs ai-engineering-from-scratch"
type: "comparison"
canonical_url: "https://www.graphcanon.com/compare/a16z-infra-ai-getting-started-vs-rohitg00-ai-engineering-from-scratch"
tools: ["a16z-infra-ai-getting-started", "rohitg00-ai-engineering-from-scratch"]
---

# ai-getting-started vs ai-engineering-from-scratch

*GraphCanon updated Jul 12, 2026*

## Verdict

Pick ai-getting-started when ai-getting-started is primarily TypeScript; ai-engineering-from-scratch is Python; pick ai-engineering-from-scratch when ai-engineering-from-scratch is primarily Python; ai-getting-started is TypeScript.

[ai-getting-started](https://ai-getting-started.com/) reports 4.1k GitHub stars, 663 forks, and 16 open issues, last pushed Aug 21, 2024. [ai-engineering-from-scratch](https://aiengineeringfromscratch.com) has 38k stars, 6.3k forks, and 96 open issues, last pushed Jun 25, 2026. Figures are from public GitHub metadata via [ai-getting-started's repository](https://github.com/a16z-infra/ai-getting-started) and [ai-engineering-from-scratch's repository](https://github.com/rohitg00/ai-engineering-from-scratch).

| | [ai-getting-started](/tools/a16z-infra-ai-getting-started.md) | [ai-engineering-from-scratch](/tools/rohitg00-ai-engineering-from-scratch.md) |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Tagline | A Javascript AI getting started stack for weekend projects, including image/text models, vector stores, auth, and deployment configs | Learn it. Build it. Ship it for others. |
| Stars | 4,141 | 37,922 |
| Forks | 663 | 6,329 |
| Open issues | 16 | 96 |
| Language | TypeScript | Python |
| Adopt for | - | Specifically designed for individuals looking to build a comprehensive understanding of AI tools and frameworks from the ground up. |
| Persona | - | - |
| Runtime | - | - |
| License | MIT | MIT |
| Categories | Vector Databases, Inference & Serving, Computer Vision | LLM Frameworks, AI Agents, Developer Tools, Computer Vision |

## Trust and health

_Sourced signals - not a safety guarantee. No winner column._

| | [ai-getting-started](/tools/a16z-infra-ai-getting-started.md) | [ai-engineering-from-scratch](/tools/rohitg00-ai-engineering-from-scratch.md) |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Maintenance | Dormant (18%) | Active (82%) |
| Days since push | 688d | 15d |
| Open issues (now) | 16 | 96 |
| Owner type | Organization | User |
| Security scan | 31 low (31 low) | No MCP manifest |
| Full report | [trust report](/tools/a16z-infra-ai-getting-started/trust.md) | [trust report](/tools/rohitg00-ai-engineering-from-scratch/trust.md) |

## Decision facts: ai-engineering-from-scratch

- **Pricing:** freemium - The `ai-engineering-from-scratch` repository is free and open-source under an MIT license, but for full access to additional resources or support, a paid option may be provided. Consult official or up
- **Adopt for:** Specifically designed for individuals looking to build a comprehensive understanding of AI tools and frameworks from the ground up.

## Choose when

### Choose ai-getting-started if…

- ai-getting-started is primarily TypeScript; ai-engineering-from-scratch is Python.
- Tags unique to ai-getting-started: typescript.
- Also covers Vector Databases, Inference & Serving.
- ai-getting-started ships Docker support for self-hosted deployment.

### Choose ai-engineering-from-scratch if…

- ai-engineering-from-scratch is primarily Python; ai-getting-started is TypeScript.
- Pricing: The `ai-engineering-from-scratch` repository is free and open-source under an MIT license, but for full access to additional resources or support, a paid option may be provided. Consult official or up.
- Tags unique to ai-engineering-from-scratch: deep-learning, ai-engineering, agents, llm.
- Also covers LLM Frameworks, AI Agents, Developer Tools.
- When you want to start with foundational knowledge and learn the intricacies behind AI systems.

## When NOT to use ai-getting-started

- Last GitHub push was 689 days ago (dormant maintenance, Aug 21, 2024). Validate activity before betting a new project on ai-getting-started.
- Vector Databases: Don't reach for a dedicated vector DB under ~100k vectors; pgvector on your existing Postgres is simpler to operate.
- Inference & Serving: Self-hosting rarely beats a hosted API on cost until you have steady, high-volume traffic.

## When NOT to use ai-engineering-from-scratch

- If you are looking for a quick setup or ready-to-go solution without diving into the foundational understanding.
- When your project requires immediate practical application with less emphasis on self-implemented solutions from scratch.

## Common questions

### What is the difference between ai-getting-started and ai-engineering-from-scratch?

ai-getting-started: A Javascript AI getting started stack for weekend projects, including image/text models, vector stores, auth, and deployment configs. ai-engineering-from-scratch: Learn it. Build it. Ship it for others.. See the comparison table for live GitHub stats and shared categories.

### When should I choose ai-getting-started over ai-engineering-from-scratch?

Choose ai-getting-started over ai-engineering-from-scratch when ai-getting-started is primarily TypeScript; ai-engineering-from-scratch is Python; Tags unique to ai-getting-started: typescript; Also covers Vector Databases, Inference & Serving; ai-getting-started ships Docker support for self-hosted deployment.

### When should I choose ai-engineering-from-scratch over ai-getting-started?

Choose ai-engineering-from-scratch over ai-getting-started when ai-engineering-from-scratch is primarily Python; ai-getting-started is TypeScript; Pricing: The `ai-engineering-from-scratch` repository is free and open-source under an MIT license, but for full access to additional resources or support, a paid option may be provided. Consult official or up; Tags unique to ai-engineering-from-scratch: deep-learning, ai-engineering, agents, llm; Also covers LLM Frameworks, AI Agents, Developer Tools; When you want to start with foundational knowledge and learn the intricacies behind AI systems.

### When should I avoid ai-getting-started?

Last GitHub push was 689 days ago (dormant maintenance, Aug 21, 2024). Validate activity before betting a new project on ai-getting-started. Vector Databases: Don't reach for a dedicated vector DB under ~100k vectors; pgvector on your existing Postgres is simpler to operate. Inference & Serving: Self-hosting rarely beats a hosted API on cost until you have steady, high-volume traffic.

### When should I avoid ai-engineering-from-scratch?

If you are looking for a quick setup or ready-to-go solution without diving into the foundational understanding. When your project requires immediate practical application with less emphasis on self-implemented solutions from scratch.

### Is ai-getting-started or ai-engineering-from-scratch more popular on GitHub?

ai-engineering-from-scratch has more GitHub stars (37,922 vs 4,141). Stars measure visibility, not whether either tool fits your constraints.

### Are ai-getting-started and ai-engineering-from-scratch open source?

Yes - both are open-source projects on GitHub (ai-getting-started: MIT, ai-engineering-from-scratch: MIT).

### Where can I find alternatives to ai-getting-started or ai-engineering-from-scratch?

GraphCanon lists graph-backed alternatives at [ai-getting-started alternatives](/tools/a16z-infra-ai-getting-started/alternatives) and [ai-engineering-from-scratch alternatives](/tools/rohitg00-ai-engineering-from-scratch/alternatives) ([ai-getting-started markdown twin](/tools/a16z-infra-ai-getting-started/alternatives.md), [ai-engineering-from-scratch markdown twin](/tools/rohitg00-ai-engineering-from-scratch/alternatives.md)), ranked by typed relationship edges rather than popularity votes.

### Is there a machine-readable version of this comparison?

Yes. The markdown twin at [this comparison](/compare/a16z-infra-ai-getting-started-vs-rohitg00-ai-engineering-from-scratch.md) mirrors this page for agents and LLM crawlers, with the same stats table and FAQ answers.

### Which is better maintained, ai-getting-started or ai-engineering-from-scratch?

ai-getting-started: Dormant. ai-engineering-from-scratch: Active. Compare maintenance labels, days since push, and release cadence in the trust section below - stars alone do not measure maintenance.

### Where are the full trust reports for ai-getting-started and ai-engineering-from-scratch?

GraphCanon publishes per-repo trust reports with dated maintenance, provenance, and scan summaries: [ai-getting-started trust report](/tools/a16z-infra-ai-getting-started/trust); [ai-engineering-from-scratch trust report](/tools/rohitg00-ai-engineering-from-scratch/trust).

---

**Machine-readable endpoints**

- JSON: [`/api/graphcanon/graph?tool=a16z-infra-ai-getting-started`](/api/graphcanon/graph?tool=a16z-infra-ai-getting-started)
- LLM index: [/llms.txt](/llms.txt)
- Full corpus: [/llms-full.txt](/llms-full.txt)

_GraphCanon - The knowledge graph for AI development. https://www.graphcanon.com/_
