One precautionary step that I recommend regardless of VFR or IFR; everytime you make a turn under autopilot, always adjust your heading bug to current heading. This way if you lose guidance and were on the middle of the leg, then you’re still heading in the general right direction. Press HDG and you’re still on course. Then you can figure out what went wrong or look at the MFD and figure out how long until your next turn. Then set the heading bug to that bearing, so if you’re still not under coupled AP guidance by the turn’s waypoint, you can follow the bug to remain on-course.
For takeoff - align the heading bug to departure heading or runway heading. Or if your departure calls for say, 500’ by 1.5NM from runway end then turn to 090 - then set the bug for 090 so at least you know which way to turn after looking over your shoulder or checking the MFD for runway distance.