I am Git beginner but using git clone <Git address> has proven to an easy way for me to grab a tool off of Githut or Gitlab. So knowing that syntax might be handy but otherwise, totally agree.
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This.
Have automated (and preferably encrypted) backups of your homedir and configurationfiles.
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Look, the OP was asking for “I wish I had known to do that” moments. Well, I wish I started using emacs (especially Emacs Org mode) and some revision control system (git was nonexistent back then) right from the beginning.
I don’t want to get into why Emacs is better than X editor, or why integrating git into your workflow will pay off tremendously later (unless OP specifically asks me about that). There’s enough material about both on WWW. The names are mentioned, it’s all Free software = free choice. 
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- figuring out how to make, delete, and understand where symbolic links helped me a lot. also understanding how the shell finds executables via environment variables really helped me.
- get a terminal that supports split screen (like Terminator) helps workflow and keeping things organized without alt tabbing and changing tabs.
- figuring out how to use the package manager/dpkg well enough to not have to google things all the time
- adding/re-enabling non-free repositories (if you wish) to get certain packages/drivers is helpful. eg. drivers for wifi6 cards.
- learn to use nano/vi (or vim) to a certain extent so that you can debug problems on your machine. these two are important as they are almost always included in any linux distribution.
- learn to use grep/less and pipes to filter through logs so that reading through them isn’t a pain
- learning iptables is nice, but there are plenty of rule sets that people post online that should help you set up your firewall. knowing iptables exists is probably more than enough
- do not panic when you accidentally switch ttys and lose your Desktop environment
things like that
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On your point (5):
- ctrl + 6 : mark a region of text
- alt + 6 : copy this region to clipboard
- ctrl + u : paste where needed
I have been using pico/nano for almost 20 years and I figured the first two out only a month ago after looking into the documentation for the first time.
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Another probably dumb question, but since PureOS is based on debian, then any commands I find on other debian articles/threads/sources etc will work in PureOS?
Pretty much, yes.
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So I am scheduled to receive my L14 next week and other than checking for PureOS updates and installing them, any other first day things I should be checking/testing/setting up before I begin to install any of the software apps I want?
I know I want to install a few basics such as BitWarden, Standard Notes, and move over my Libre Office files. Probably Gimp, and a photo manager, something to auto backup like Timeshift, and either Audacity or VLC for my music playing/manager.
I’m hoping to avoid as many newbie duh moments as I can 
@Bass20 - have a boot USB drive with PureOS/Debian/Flavorful ready. Copy your data into laptop, use it for 1 month. Backup everything and re-install from boot USB drive and restore backups.
Document Installation/Recovery every-step (commands, apps, configs). Repeat recovery 2-3 times and keep updating/adding/reviewing the instructions.
Also .config and .local folders in the home directory was important for me to learn, 15-20 years ago…
Good luck and all the best!
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I have not done this introductory course, but you may wish to try it. I am sorry I cannot speak from personal experience. I just happened to bookmark it a long time ago.
As you gain experience and get oriented on Linux itself, you may wish to double-check the security settings. Here is a pretty good link, even if you just want to read through it. I have not done everything suggested, but I have gone through the list.
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So I ran the usual
sudo apt update
then
sudo apt upgrade
and I’m looking at 1,064 packages to be upgraded, and 39 newly installed, so thinking this could take quite a while…
Tried to install LibreWolf browser using this…
echo ‘deb http://download.opensuse.org/repositories/home:/bgstack15:/aftermozilla/Debian_Unstable/ /’ | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/home:bgstack15:aftermozilla.list
curl -fsSL https://download.opensuse.org/repositories/home:bgstack15:aftermozilla/Debian_Unstable/Release.key | gpg --dearmor | sudo tee /etc/apt/trusted.gpg.d/home_bgstack15_aftermozilla.gpg > /dev/null
sudo apt update
sudo apt install librewolf
and I get an error message…
The following packges have unmet dependencies:
librewolf: Depends: libnss3 (>= 2:3.63~) but 2:3.61-1 is to be installed
E: Unable to correct prolbems, you held broken packages.
Any ideas? Should I install LibreWolf differently?
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I would think you just need to first upgrade libnss3.
Also, this may be of interest:
https://embeddedinventor.com/apt-upgrade-vs-full-upgrade-differences-explained-for-beginners/
Here is some short Linux amd64.deb recipe for you (based on librewolf, as here provided, links), just a slight adjustment (perhaps worth to be proofed on PureOS).
Edit properly your sources.list and add the following to it:
deb https://ftp.debian.org/debian/ bookworm main
Save sources.list (but might leave it open for now, no need to close it).
Edit properly home:bgstack15:aftermozilla.list and add the following line (disable with # the first one, as below):
# deb http://download.opensuse.org/repositories/home:/bgstack15:/aftermozilla/Debian_Unstable/ /
deb https://ftp.gwdg.de/pub/opensuse/repositories/home:/bgstack15:/aftermozilla/Debian_Unstable/ /
What needs to be done now (yet please do not think about nor execute: sudo apt upgrade):
sudo apt update
sudo apt install librewolf −− with emphasis not to replace install with upgrade, not even once, not ever.
Change your as admin opened sources.list related line to ((add # character, save and close it):
# deb https://ftp.debian.org/debian/ bookworm main
sudo apt update
librewolf −− open Settings …, Add-ons and themes, that’s it.
NOTE: You will need to enable bookworm repo from time to time (new librewolf version dependencies related, but not always. Hope you’ll find this working with byzantium distro well. Enjoy!