---
title: Set up a development environment
slug: commerce-connect-13/docs/setting-up-your-development-environment
createdAt: 2026-07-23T09:44:50.000Z
---

Optimizely is installed through Visual Studio and the Optimizely Visual Studio Extension, providing everything you need to get a website running and start developing.

:::hint{type="info"}
**Note**
See the [Optimizely system requirements](docId\:Oe6v1ocXKbt40QjLVGoej) for production and development environment requirements.
:::

## Install Visual Studio

Visit [Microsoft Visual Studio](https://www.visualstudio.com/free-developer-offers/) to download a suitable version, if you do not already have Visual Studio installed.

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

## 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).

## Explore 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 of databases, it is also recommended to install either [SQL Express or SQL Server Developer Edition and Management Studio](https://www.microsoft.com/en-in/sql-server/sql-server-downloads).