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+Getting Started
+===============
+
+This page describes the local development path for contributors who want to run
+the application, connect a database, and validate changes.
+
+Prerequisites
+-------------
+
+Install the following tools before starting:
+
+* Node.js compatible with Next.js 15;
+* pnpm 10.x;
+* Docker or Podman for local PostgreSQL;
+* Git;
+* optional: Sphinx for building ``Documentation`` locally.
+
+Environment
+-----------
+
+Copy the example environment file and fill in values for your local setup:
+
+.. code-block:: bash
+
+   cp .env.example .env
+
+The application validates environment variables through ``src/env.js``. For
+development-only workflows where external services are not needed, some
+commands can be run with ``SKIP_ENV_VALIDATION=1``.
+
+Database
+--------
+
+The repository includes ``start-database.sh`` for local PostgreSQL bootstrap.
+It checks for an occupied port, reuses an existing container when possible, and
+warns about the default password placeholder.
+
+.. code-block:: bash
+
+   ./start-database.sh
+
+After the database is available, run Payload and Drizzle migrations as needed:
+
+.. code-block:: bash
+
+   pnpm payload:migrate
+   pnpm db:push
+
+Install and Run
+---------------
+
+Install dependencies:
+
+.. code-block:: bash
+
+   pnpm install
+
+Start the development server:
+
+.. code-block:: bash
+
+   pnpm dev
+
+The public site is served at ``http://localhost:3000``. The Payload admin is
+available at ``/admin``.
+
+Validation Commands
+-------------------
+
+Use the repository scripts for routine checks:
+
+.. list-table::
+   :header-rows: 1
+   :widths: 24 50
+
+   * - Command
+     - Purpose
+   * - ``pnpm lint``
+     - Validate content links and run Biome linting.
+   * - ``pnpm check``
+     - Run Biome checks.
+   * - ``pnpm test``
+     - Run the Vitest suite once.
+   * - ``pnpm test:coverage``
+     - Run tests with coverage.
+   * - ``pnpm build``
+     - Build the Next.js application and generate sitemap output.
+
+Build the Documentation
+-----------------------
+
+From the repository root:
+
+.. code-block:: bash
+
+   make -C Documentation html
+
+The generated HTML is written to ``Documentation/build/html`` and should not be
+committed.