---
title: Set up a development environment
slug: cms-11/dev-docs/setting-up-a-development-environment
docTags: 
createdAt: 2026-07-22T19:45:18.000Z
---

Optimizely Content Management System (CMS) is conveniently installed through Visual Studio and the Optimizely Visual Studio Extension, providing everything you need to get a website up and running and start developing.

:::hint{type="info"}
**Note**
See the [System requirements for Optimizely](docId:70mYifjk1nj_UiJPdZ3uL) for detailed production and development environment requirements.
:::

## Install Visual Studio

If you do not already have Visual Studio installed, download it from [Microsoft Visual Studio](https://www.visualstudio.com/free-developer-offers/).

When installing Optimizely through Visual Studio, you will use **IIS Express**, **SQL Server Express**, and **LocalDB**, which are included with VS 2015 and higher. If you do not have this, ensure that you [install LocalDB separately](https://www.microsoft.com/en-US/download/details.aspx?id=42299).

## Install the Optimizely Visual Studio extension

Using the extension package for CMS, you can set up a project with a database, required NuGet references, and sample templates (optional). The easiest way to install the [Episerver Visual Studio extension](https://visualstudiogallery.msdn.microsoft.com/4ad95160-e72f-4355-b53e-0994d2958d3e) is directly from Visual Studio (Community, Professional, or Enterprise) as described below:

1. Select **Extensions** > **Manage extensions**.
2. Select **Online** > **Visual Studio Marketplace** in the extensions window, and type "*episerver*" in the search box.
3. Select **Episerver CMS Visual Studio Extension** and click **Download** (or **Update** if already installed).
4. Restart Visual Studio.

## Licenses

A license is not required when running in Visual Studio and using IIS Express.

Eventually, you will need a commercial Optimizely license for testing and production environments. You can order a time-limited demo license for evaluation purposes from the [Optimizely License Center](http://license.episerver.com).

## Exploring advanced features

Later on, when you want to explore more advanced features like multi-site and language support and to test deployment locally, you will need a more production-like development environment using [Internet Information Services (IIS)](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=48264).

When testing deployment and backup and restoring databases, it is also recommended to install [SQL Express or SQL Server Developer Edition and Management Studio](https://www.microsoft.com/en-in/sql-server/sql-server-downloads).