Open edX Tutorials
##################

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.

Try it Out!
***********

If you've never used the Open edX software, we have a few resources to help you get acquainted:

* `Open edX Sandbox <https://sandbox.openedx.org/>`_ - 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
  <https://studio.sandbox.openedx.org/>`_ 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 <https://apps.training.openedx.io/catalog/>`_ - 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
  <https://apps.training.openedx.io/catalog/courses/course-v1:OpenedX+DemoX+Demo_Course/about>`_
  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.

Resources for Specific Roles
****************************

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  .. grid-item-card:: Content Creators
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     .. image:: /_images/educators_homepage/educator_undraw.png
        :alt: Educator Persona building a course
        :height: 150px
        :align: center

     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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     .. image:: /_images/site_operators_undraw.png
        :alt: Site Operator Persona operating a site
        :height: 150px
        :align: center

     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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     .. image:: /_images/educators_homepage/olx_undraw.png
        :alt: A user with abstract icons around them
        :height: 150px
        :align: center

     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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     .. image:: /_images/developers_undraw.png
        :alt: Developer Persona enhancing the platform
        :height: 150px
        :align: center

     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.

Questions?
**********

Find the Open edX community on the `Community Discussion Boards <https://discuss.openedx.org>`_ and the `Slack Workspace <https://openedx.org/slack>`_!

**Maintenance chart**

+--------------+-------------------------------+----------------+--------------------------------+
| Review Date  | Working Group Reviewer        |   Release      |Test situation                  |
+--------------+-------------------------------+----------------+--------------------------------+
| 2026-03-20   |  Product  WG                  | Verawood       | Pass                           |
+--------------+-------------------------------+----------------+--------------------------------+