depends on the map size. but generally, in the first few minutes you won't be attack, bc. either the enemy doesn't even know exactly where you are or you are too far away. going halfway across a map takes time and if you need to pass through militia crowded wells, you take dmg. add to that the fact that you should be able to return your fleet fairly quickly from nearby systems, since you won't be too far off early on, and there is not much point in any special kind of defenses at your hw. most of the time anyway.

Likes others said the first while anyways you dont really need to leave anything there the only exception is pirate raids if you are the target. The AI my current game has out bid me at the last moment putting a higher bounty on my head.

Anytime your are at least 2 jumps away from your home world and lack major structural defense like lots of beams and hangers you should keep at least a small defensive force in orbit even if only as a delaying tactic till you fleet can come back.

you shouldnt really, you soon learn its kind of pointless.

I never defend my home planets. I expand aggressively then bunker down. Early on I have 12 planets when all others (I play AI) have 3 or 4 and by the time they have full I'm defending a few choke points. TBH if you're playing AI as long as you treat them nce and watch the bounty you won't need to defend at all till late game.

Made a full game using only ten Cobalts and an Akkan from the start

I play on custom maps, so that I am the only one in my system. Anyway, I don't think that you really need defenses for your Homeworld because by the time the enemy reaches you they would have to go through all your other planet's first.

Samurye.

I was referring to opening/beginning moves where you're just about to start leaving your home. But you're right once you have other planets, they pretty much act as choke points against intruders. Thanks.