Hi marshall

Welcome to the world of ACP. I used a simulator mode to learn how ACP works, that is described in the help file how that works. I would start with these steps

Use ACP as is, don't modify it until you have ACP set.
Then work on the files in the ACP config area, flats, image file names, stuff like that.
Then do the power script first to add it in ACP after everything is solid

I have a couple if youtube channels that might help as well, they are design for someone new to ACP. (sharplesscatalog.com) I am adding a few new ones today too