fix(onboarding): simplify instructions

Author: dineshpinto

docs/hackathon/0-onboarding.mdx

@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ import CreateKey from "/static/img/verifiable-ai-hackathon/create-key.png";
 # Onboarding
 
 Welcome to the **Verifiable AI Hackathon**!
-This guide will walk you through setting up your development environment, including Google Cloud infrastructure, API credentials, and Confidential Space virtual machines.
+This guide will walk you through setting up your development environment, including Google Cloud infrastructure, API credentials, and gcloud CLI access.
 
 ## Before You Begin
 
@@ -28,19 +28,19 @@ This guide will walk you through setting up your development environment, includ
 
 ### Prerequisites
 
-- An existing Google account or create a new one
+- A Google account (existing or newly created)
 - This account will be your primary access point for all hackathon resources
 
 ### Registration Process
 
-1. Submit your Google account email during hackathon registration
-2. Access to the `verifiable-ai-hackathon` project will be granted on March 6th (one day before the hackathon)
-3. Verify your access by visiting the [GCP Console](https://console.cloud.google.com/welcome?project=verifiable-ai-hackathon)
+1. Submit your Google account email during hackathon registration (i.e. the Google Form you submitted)
+2. Access to the `verifiable-ai-hackathon` Google Cloud project will be granted on **March 6th** (one day before the hackathon)
+3. Verify your access by visiting the [Google Cloud Console](https://console.cloud.google.com/welcome?project=verifiable-ai-hackathon)
 4. When access is granted, you'll see this confirmation screen:
 
    <img src={AccessGranted} style={{ width: 600 }} />
 
-## Step 2: Setting up API keys
+## Step 2: API Credential Setup
 
 ### Gemini API Keys
 
@@ -56,54 +56,46 @@ This guide will walk you through setting up your development environment, includ
 
 5. Store your API key securely
 
-:::tip[Common API Key Issues]
+### OpenRouter API Keys (Consensus Learning Track Only)
 
-If you are unable to create an API key, or the `verifiable-ai-hackathon` doesn't show up in the dropdown.
+If you're participating in the Consensus Learning track:
 
-- Ensure you're logged into the correct Google account
-- Wait a few minutes after project approval before attempting
-- Reach out to the Flare team on [Telegram](https://t.me/+StI5VEIvtIg2ODlh)
-
-:::
-
-### OpenRouter API Keys (Consensus Learning Track)
-
-For participants in the Consensus Learning track:
-
-1. Visit [OpenRouter](https://openrouter.ai)
-2. Create a free account
-3. Set up API keys on the [Settings page](https://openrouter.ai/settings/keys)
-4. For higher credit limits, contact the Flare team on [Telegram](https://t.me/+StI5VEIvtIg2ODlh) with your team and VM instance name
+1. Visit [OpenRouter](https://openrouter.ai) and create a free account
+2. Navigate to the [Settings page](https://openrouter.ai/settings/keys) to generate your API keys
+3. **Need higher limits?** Contact the Flare team on [Telegram](https://t.me/+StI5VEIvtIg2ODlh) with your team and VM instance name
 
 ## Step 3: Set up gcloud CLI
 
-1. **Install the gcloud CLI**
+1. **Download & install the gcloud CLI**
 
-   Follow the [gcloud CLI installation guide](https://cloud.google.com/sdk/docs/install) steps for your OS
+   - Follow the [gcloud CLI installation guide](https://cloud.google.com/sdk/docs/install) steps for your OS
+   - Installation packages available for Windows, macOS, and Linux
 
-   Verify installation:
+2. **Verify installation:**
 
    ```bash
    gcloud version
    ```
 
-2. **Authenticate your CLI**
+3. **Authenticate your CLI**
 
    Use the same account used for hackathon registration
 
    ```bash
    gcloud auth login
    ```
 
-   Verify project access:
+4. **Verify project access:**
 
    ```bash
-   gcloud projects list  # Should show verifiable-ai-hackathon
+   gcloud projects list
    ```
 
-## Step 4: Choose a Track Template
+   The output should include `verifiable-ai-hackathon`
+
+## Step 4: Track template selection
 
-1. Jump-start your development with one of these pre-configured templates,
+1. Jump-start your development with one of these pre-configured templates:
 
 | Track              | Template Repository                                                                         |
 | ------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
@@ -116,20 +108,41 @@ For participants in the Consensus Learning track:
 
    <img src={ChooseTemplate} style={{ width: 300 }} />
 
-3. Clone the repo:
+3. **Clone the repo:**
 
-```bash
-git clone YOUR_REPO
-cd YOUR_REPO
-```
+   ```bash
+   git clone https://github.com/YOUR_REPO
+   cd YOUR_REPO
+   ```
+
+4. Follow the **README** in your chosen template for track-specific setup instructions
+
+Happy hacking!
 
 ## Troubleshooting
 
-- **Using gcloud CLI on Windows:** On Windows, you need to use the gcloud CLI to run gcloud commands.
+- **Unable to create Gemini API Key in `verifiable-ai-hackathon`:**
+
+  - Ensure you're logged into the exact Google account you registered with (i.e. the Google Form you submitted)
+  - Wait 5-10 minutes after receiving project access before attempting
+  - Clear browser cache or try in a private/incognito window
+
+- **gcloud CLI Authentication Problems:**
+
+  - Run gcloud auth login --no-launch-browser if the browser auth flow fails
+  - Check if you have multiple Google accounts in your browser and select the correct one
+
+- **Windows-specific gcloud issues**
+  - On Windows, when installing the gcloud CLI, gcloud installs its own basic shell as well.
+  - We recommend using [git BASH](https://gitforwindows.org) for access to a full set of linux commands.
+
+:::tip[Still not able to bugfix?]
 
-:::tip[Still not able to bigfix?]
+If you are unable to fix your issue, feel free to reach out to the Flare team on [Telegram](https://t.me/+StI5VEIvtIg2ODlh) for support. When reaching out, include:
 
-If you are unable to bugfix your issue, feel free to reach out to the Flare team on [Telegram](https://t.me/+StI5VEIvtIg2ODlh) for support.
-When reaching out clearly mention the team and VM instance name.
+- Your team name
+- VM instance name
+- Screenshots of any error messages
+- Steps you've already attempted
 
 :::