Fun, thank you! Loving these beginner mini cryptics. Enjoyable and helpful to start learning the ropes.
I finished it, but I am not totally sure how! Here are the clues I (think I) fully understand:
1D: double definition — “Instagram product” and “is unsteady”
2D: definition is “division within Congress” and the wordplay is “inserted original (first letter of) lie” (L) “into school essay initially” (SE), making SLE, and the ChatGPT reference means prepend “AI”
The entries I almost/maybe understand are:
3D: definition is “introductory course” (as in a meal) and “has a lady” contains SALAD, but I have no idea why “attending” is a signal.
4A: is “contract renewal” related to LEASE somehow?
5A: is “term” a signal for “end(ing)” (as in “termination”)?
Then, in 1A I don’t understand the wordplay at all.
For the first two points, yes that was the intent, though I feel I could've executed 2-down in a better way.
As for the next three points (3D, 4A, 5A): 3-down's indicator is attending as if you're attending something, you're IN that venue, so "attending" was a hidden words indicator. 4-across' "Contract renewal" does have to tie in with lease; in fact, "lease" was the word that, for a lack of a better term, replaced "contract", which then you word "renew" (i.e. mix up) the letters "lease." As for 5-across, term was a signal for the end of the word. I was using a thesaurus (usually do as it helps coming up with the word play), so sorry if there was any confusion there.
Finally, 1-across' definition was "Collects", the wordplay indicator was damaged, and the word play fodder was hunting gear of yore. You were to find a type of hunting gear that really isn't used anymore, which in this case is SPEAR, to replace "hunting gear of yore". Then the clue tells it's damaged, which is an anagram indicator telling you to anagram the word into REAPS, which if you reap something, you collect it.
If you need anymore clarification, don't hesitate to comment. I'd also check out Minute Cryptic if you haven't already. I found them last year and they have a daily cryptic crossword clue that, after solving, break down so you can understand all components and beauty of the clue. Plus, as the name suggests, the explanation only takes a minute! (It may be longer if it's more of a complicated clue).
Thanks for solving and I wish you well on your cryptic crossword journey!