For years we ran extension cords to the things we wanted powered.
We got serious 15 years ago and had "plug" installed that leads to a transfer panel and fuse box, which are located right beside the main house fuse box connected to the grid.
Flip a few switches, plug in gen, start gen, power those items you want via the fuse box.
Since we have a basement (never again) and are on our own well, the important stuff are the sump and well pumps.
The rest is really not that much of a draw on power.
I do have a roll around a/c unit, 120v, just in case
