How big of an initial time investment does it require? I.e. if I wanted to try it out on the side from time to time, can I just install and start using it, or does it take a week of learning and writing a configuration before I can properly use it?
you can start using it right away and much of your muscle memory will still give decent results. I say much - since piping with > isn't a thing, but still, it doesn't take long to get used to using it.