---
title: "Quickstart"
description: "Start building awesome documentation in minutes"
---

## Get started in three steps

Get your documentation site running locally and make your first customization.

### Step 1: Set up your local environment

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion icon="copy" title="Clone your docs locally">
    During the onboarding process, you created a GitHub repository with your docs content if you didn't already have
    one. You can find a link to this repository in your [dashboard](https://dashboard.mintlify.com). To clone the
    repository locally so that you can make and preview changes to your docs, follow the [Cloning a
    repository](https://docs.github.com/en/repositories/creating-and-managing-repositories/cloning-a-repository) guide
    in the GitHub docs.
  </Accordion>
  <Accordion icon="rectangle-terminal" title="Start the preview server">
    1. Install the Mintlify CLI: `npm i -g mint` 2. Navigate to your docs directory and run: `mint dev` 3. Open
    `http://localhost:3000` to see your docs live!
    <Tip>Your preview updates automatically as you edit files.</Tip>
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

### Step 2: Deploy your changes

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion icon="github" title="Install our GitHub app">
    Install the Mintlify GitHub app from your [dashboard](https://dashboard.mintlify.com/settings/organization/github-app).
    
    Our GitHub app automatically deploys your changes to your docs site, so you don't need to manage deployments yourself.
</Accordion>
<Accordion icon="palette" title="Update your site name and colors">
    For a first change, let's update the name and colors of your docs site.

    1. Open `docs.json` in your editor.
    2. Change the `"name"` field to your project name.
    3. Update the `"colors"` to match your brand.
    4. Save and see your changes instantly at `http://localhost:3000`.

    <Tip>Try changing the primary color to see an immediate difference!</Tip>

  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

### Step 3: Go live

<Accordion icon="rocket" title="Publish your docs">
  1. Commit and push your changes. 2. Your docs will update and be live in moments!
</Accordion>

## Next steps

Now that you have your docs running, explore these key features:

<CardGroup cols={2}>

<Card title="Write Content" icon="pen-to-square" href="/essentials/markdown">
  Learn MDX syntax and start writing your documentation.
</Card>

<Card title="Customize style" icon="palette" href="/essentials/settings">
  Make your docs match your brand perfectly.
</Card>

<Card title="Add code examples" icon="square-code" href="/essentials/code">
  Include syntax-highlighted code blocks.
</Card>

<Card title="API documentation" icon="code" href="/api-reference/introduction">
  Auto-generate API docs from OpenAPI specs.
</Card>

</CardGroup>

<Note>
  **Need help?** See our [full documentation](https://mintlify.com/docs) or join our
  [community](https://mintlify.com/community).
</Note>
