Extension cords through windows are what everyone does after a hurricane. Generator on the patio, orange cords snaking through a cracked window to the fridge, another to a power strip in the living room. It works . until it doesn't.
Overloaded extension cords start fires. Generators running near open windows push carbon monoxide inside. And you're limited to whatever you can plug in directly . no well pump, no hardwired lights, no internet router unless you run yet another cord to it.
An inlet box and interlock kit solves all of it. Your generator connects to one cord that plugs into the inlet box on the exterior wall. Power flows through the panel to the circuits you selected . fridge, well pump, lights, internet . through the actual wiring in your walls. The interlock prevents backfeed so utility workers stay safe and your generator doesn't get destroyed when grid power comes back.
It's a permanent install. Once it's in, you're ready for every storm after that. Pull the generator out of the garage, plug in the cord, flip the interlock, and your house works.