# Getting Started

# Prerequisites

Node.js v12+open in new window
Yarn v1 classicopen in new window (Optional)

# Manual Installation

This section will help you build a basic VuePress documentation site from ground up. If you already have an existing project and would like to keep documentation inside the project, start from Step 3.

Step 1: Create and change into a new directory
```
mkdir vuepress-starter
cd vuepress-starter
```
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Step 2: Initialize your project
```
git init
yarn init
```
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```
git init
npm init
```
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Step 3: Install VuePress locally

yarn add -D vuepress@next

npm install -D vuepress@next

Step 4: Add some scriptsopen in new window to package.json

{
  "scripts": {
    "docs:dev": "vuepress dev docs",
    "docs:build": "vuepress build docs"
  }
}

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Step 5: Add the default temp and cache directory to .gitignore file
```
echo 'node_modules\n.temp\n.cache' >> .gitignore
```
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Step 6: Create your first document

mkdir docs
echo '# Hello VuePress' > docs/README.md

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Step 7: Serve the documentation site in the local server
```
yarn docs:dev
```
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```
npm run docs:dev
```
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VuePress will start a hot-reloading development server at http://localhost:8080open in new window. When you modify your markdown files, the content in the browser will be auto updated.

By now, you should have a basic but functional VuePress documentation site. Next, learn about the basics of configuration in VuePress.