How LLMs actually work

Tokens, training, context windows, and why a model states something false with total confidence. No maths required to start.

1. The one big idea
2. Under the hood
3. Why it goes wrong

Read this, in order

  1. 1 How LLMs actually work tuaregs · Guide The whole picture in plain English. Start here even if you plan to go deeper.
  2. 2 Neural networks, visually 3Blue1Brown · Video Watch a network learn. The best hour you can spend on the intuition.
  3. 3 Neural Networks: Zero to Hero Andrej Karpathy · Video Build the ideas from nothing, in code. A real commitment, and worth it.
  4. 4 Prompt engineering overview Anthropic · Article Where the mental model turns into better results on Monday.

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