# Getting Started

## Prerequisites

Before you begin, ensure you have the following installed:

| Tool | Version | Installation |
|------|---------|-------------|
| {runtime, e.g., Node.js} | {version, e.g., >= 20.x} | {link or command} |
| {package manager, e.g., npm} | {version} | {comes with Node.js} |
| {database, e.g., PostgreSQL} | {version, e.g., >= 15} | {link or command} |
| {container runtime, e.g., Docker} | {version, e.g., >= 24} | {link} |
| Git | >= 2.x | {link} |

## Clone and Setup

```bash
# Clone the repository
git clone {repository_url}
cd {project_name}

# Install dependencies
{install command, e.g., npm install}
```

## Environment Variables

Copy the example environment file and fill in the values:

```bash
cp .env.example .env
```

| Variable | Description | Where to Get It | Example |
|----------|-------------|----------------|---------|
| DATABASE_URL | Database connection string | Local setup below | postgresql://user:pass@localhost:5432/dbname |
| {VAR_NAME} | {description} | {source} | {example value} |
| {VAR_NAME} | {description} | {source} | {example value} |

## Database Setup

```bash
# Start the database (if using Docker)
docker compose up -d db

# Run migrations
{migration command, e.g., npx prisma migrate dev}

# Seed the database (optional, for development data)
{seed command, e.g., npx prisma db seed}
```

## Running Locally

```bash
# Start the development server
{dev command, e.g., npm run dev}

# The application is now running at:
# http://localhost:{port}
```

## Running Tests

```bash
# Run all tests
{test command, e.g., npm test}

# Run tests in watch mode
{watch command, e.g., npm run test:watch}

# Run tests with coverage
{coverage command, e.g., npm run test:coverage}

# Run E2E tests
{e2e command, e.g., npx playwright test}
```

## Verify Everything Works

After setup, verify with this quick checklist:

- [ ] `{build command}` completes without errors
- [ ] `{test command}` passes all tests
- [ ] `{dev command}` starts the server
- [ ] Visiting `http://localhost:{port}` shows the application
- [ ] {Any other verification step specific to the project}

## Common Tasks

| Task | Command |
|------|---------|
| Start dev server | `{command}` |
| Run tests | `{command}` |
| Run linter | `{command}` |
| Build for production | `{command}` |
| Run database migrations | `{command}` |
| Generate API types | `{command}` |

## Troubleshooting

### {Common problem 1}
**Symptom**: {what you see}
**Cause**: {why it happens}
**Fix**: {how to fix it}

### {Common problem 2}
**Symptom**: {what you see}
**Cause**: {why it happens}
**Fix**: {how to fix it}

### Port already in use
**Symptom**: Error: listen EADDRINUSE :::3000
**Cause**: Another process is using the port
**Fix**: `lsof -i :{port}` to find the process, then `kill {pid}`

## Glossary

| Term | Definition |
|------|-----------|
| {project-specific term} | {what it means in this project} |
| {project-specific term} | {what it means in this project} |