Resources for getting started with the Open edX platform are provided here. They range from “Quickstarts” (step-by-step instructions to getting up and running with various areas of the Open edX software and community) to hands-on sandboxes and courses.
If you've never used the Open edX software, we have a few resources to help you get acquainted:
- Open edX Sandbox - sign up for a free account to begin playing around with the Open edX learner and authoring environments. Once you've registered for an account, access Open edX Studio to try your hand at :ref:`authoring courses <Quick Start Build a Course>` or :ref:`content libraries <Work with Content Libraries>`. Please be aware that all accounts and content are deleted every 7 days.
- Open edX Training Site - this site provides free courses for those interested in learning more about the Open edX community and getting started as an Open edX developer. The Demo Course steps you through various types of Open edX content tools and introduces the course authoring environment, Studio.
- :ref:`Aspects Data <openedx-aspects:Aspects Home>` - learn more about Aspects, the Open edX analytics plugin that brings course teams and site operators actionable data about learner engagement, content performance, and instance health.
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.. grid-item-card:: Content Creators
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Follow the :ref:`Course Authoring Quickstart <Quick Start Build a Course>` to build your first Open edX course. Leverage the free-to-use `Studio sandbox <https://studio.sandbox.openedx.org/>`_ to follow the steps.
.. grid-item-card:: Site Operators
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Looking to run your own Open edX instance? The :ref:`Site Ops Quickstarts` explain the basics of Tutor, the community-supported, Docker-based, Open edX distribution for production ready systems.
.. grid-item-card:: Extending the Open edX Platform
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The modular Open edX platform provides many extension points that don't require modification to the core codebase. These include:
* :ref:`Frontend plugin "slots" <Use A Frontend Plugin Framework Slot>` for UI customization
* :ref:`XBlocks <xblock:Open edX XBlock Tutorial>`, a composable framework to enable rapid development and pluggability of new content types
* :ref:`Hooks Extension Framework` for modifying the platform's functionality and flows
* :ref:`Design tokens <Design Tokens>` for theming customization
Check out the `Sample Plugin <https://github.com/openedx/sample-plugin>`_ for documentation and examples of leveraging the various Open edX extension points.
.. grid-item-card:: Developing the Open edX Platform
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Two quickstarts are provided for developers looking to jump in and contribute to the open-source Open edX project. The :ref:`Pull Request Quickstart <qs Dev First PR>` goes through the GitHub “pull request” workflow all developers who contribute must follow. You’ll learn how to set up a development environment and at the end will have made your first pull request to the project.
The :ref:`Contributing Quickstart <qs Dev Contributing>` builds on the Pull Request Quickstart to guide you through the process of making a more substantial change to the platform. It discusses both technical and product considerations.
The `Open edX contribution course <https://apps.training.openedx.io/catalog/courses/course-v1:OpenedX+OEX101+2023/about>`_ and the `Developer onboarding course <https://apps.training.openedx.io/catalog/courses/course-v1:OpenedX+OEX-Dev101+2024/about>`_ are additional, helpful resources.
Find the Open edX community on the Community Discussion Boards and the Slack Workspace!
Maintenance chart
| Review Date | Working Group Reviewer | Release | Test situation |
| 2026-03-20 | Product WG | Verawood | Pass |