---
title: Get started with CMS 12
slug: cms-12/docs/getting-started
docTags: 
createdAt: 2026-08-10T15:56:00.000Z
---

1. [Set up a development environment](docId\:GSubUdxIh1sYZJ5EkOuXF)  with everything you need.
2. [Install a sample site](docId\:VuiU-K4aAR6ISGicFg4lk) and explore the Optimizely project templates.
3. [Learn how the basic editing features work](docId:1NVPg_MeftfHZZMmi7Xmh), and get familiar with the basic editorial tasks before you start developing.
4. [Create an empty starter project](docId\:bQyj9-ZwxZZdv5qWAdkMk) to use as a foundation for your continued development work.
5. Integrate Optimizely products like [Optimizely Content Marketing Platform](docId\:dMK99elZAlw6HNNtRuAv7) and [Optimizely Configured Commerce](docId:7uSQ6TWS1L4XnS83hbWAs) with Optimizely Content Management System (CMS).

Need more? See the [Optimizely Content Management System Developer Program offered by Optimizely Education](https://academy.optimizely.com/student/collection/2014956-paas-cms).

See also [Certification exams](https://academy.optimizely.com/student/page/2252003-optimizely-certification-exams) for Optimizely Content Management System (CMS) and other products.

## Related topics

- [Blog post: Five, Six, Seven, (Eight) – Out With the Old, In With the New .NET](https://world.optimizely.com/blogs/Magnus-Rahl/Dates/2022/10/five-six-seven-eight---out-with-the-old-in-with-the-new--net/) by Magnus Rahl
- [Optimizely ASP.NET Core information hub](https://world.optimizely.com/resources/net5/)
- [Optimizely ASP.NET Core Add-ons](https://world.optimizely.com/resources/net5/add-ons/)
- [Upgrade to ASP.NET Core](https://world.optimizely.com/resources/net5/upgrading/)
- [Why upgrade to Optimizely Content Management System (CMS 12)?](docId\:c-2UurnDNAfVXCF2eLktF)
- [Upgrade to Optimizely Content Management System (CMS 12)](docId:2t2imrIhyIvztq7aUuSPc)
- [Upgrade Assistant](docId\:kIE_2cy5bUjS82B_PBkgH)
- [Breaking changes in Optimizely Content Management System (CMS 12)](docId:-4BN2SiAblqiiLjfyWY83)
- [About ASP.NET Core](https://world.optimizely.com/resources/net5/about/)