> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.varbase.vardot.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.varbase.vardot.com/developers/getting-started.md).

# Getting Started

Varbase 11.0.x is a Drupal 11 distribution built with the **Drupal Recipes** architecture. It provides a fully featured content management platform that can be installed quickly using Composer.

## Quick Install

The recommended way to install Varbase is using DDEV. Create a project directory, configure DDEV, then use Composer to create the Varbase project inside the container:

```bash
mkdir my_varbase_site
cd my_varbase_site
ddev config --project-type=drupal11 --docroot=web --php-version=8.4
ddev start
ddev composer create-project "drupal/varbase_project:~11.0.0"
ddev launch
```

The **Varbase Installer** will guide you through the site setup, including applying all Varbase recipes and configuring the full feature set.

## Recipe-Based Architecture

Unlike previous versions of Varbase that used a Drupal installation profile, Varbase 11.0.x is built entirely on **Drupal Recipes**.

A recipe is a composable configuration package that can:

* Install and configure Drupal modules
* Set default configuration values
* Assign user permissions
* Configure content types, fields, and display settings

The main entry point is the **`varbase_starter`** recipe, which orchestrates the application of all Varbase recipes in the correct order. This recipe pulls in:

* **Drupal Core** recipes for foundational functionality
* **Drupal CMS 2.0** recipes for common website features (media, SEO, anti-spam, privacy, and more)
* **Varbase-specific** recipes that provide the enhanced features and configurations that distinguish Varbase from a standard Drupal installation

## What to Read Next

* [**Installing Varbase**](/developers/installing-varbase.md): Detailed installation instructions for DDEV.
* [**Understanding Varbase**](/developers/understanding-varbase.md): A deeper look at the recipe architecture and how Varbase is structured.
* [**Requirements**](/developers/installing-varbase/requirements.md): System requirements for running Varbase.