> 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/understanding-varbase/site-templates/varbase-starter.md).

# Varbase Starter

The **Varbase Starter** recipe is the main site template recipe that orchestrates the entire Varbase installation. It serves as the single entry point for setting up a complete Varbase-powered Drupal site by bundling together all core Varbase recipes, Drupal CMS recipes, Easy Email, and the Vartheme BS5 theme.

## Recipe Type

Site recipe (full site template)

## Overview

Varbase Starter is designed to be the primary recipe that site builders apply when creating a new Varbase project. Rather than requiring manual installation of individual recipes, Varbase Starter composes all of the necessary dependencies into a single, unified installation process.

This recipe brings together:

* **Drupal CMS recipes** for core functionality such as admin UI, anti-spam, authentication, forms, media, privacy, SEO, and accessibility
* **Varbase recipes** for enhanced administration, security, media, editing, content management, workflows, SEO, webforms, blogging, and performance
* **Easy Email Express** for email handling and templating
* **Vartheme BS5** as the default front-end theme
* **Additional modules** for extended functionality

## Recipe Dependencies

Depends on the following recipes:

| Recipe                                                                                                                       | Description                                                                    |
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| [**Varbase Users Base**](/developers/understanding-varbase/varbase-recipes/varbase-users-base.md)                            | Default user roles, account settings, and user management configurations.      |
| [**Drupal CMS Admin UI**](/developers/understanding-varbase/drupal-cms-recipes/drupal-cms-admin-ui.md)                       | Administrative theme and navigation for Drupal CMS.                            |
| [**Drupal CMS Anti-Spam**](/developers/understanding-varbase/drupal-cms-recipes/drupal-cms-anti-spam.md)                     | Anti-spam and anti-abuse functionality.                                        |
| [**Drupal CMS Authentication**](/developers/understanding-varbase/drupal-cms-recipes/drupal-cms-authentication.md)           | Enhanced authentication features.                                              |
| [**Drupal CMS Forms**](/developers/understanding-varbase/drupal-cms-recipes/drupal-cms-forms.md)                             | Contact form and form building tools.                                          |
| [**Drupal CMS Media**](/developers/understanding-varbase/drupal-cms-recipes/drupal-cms-media.md)                             | Media types with responsive images, focal point, and SVG support.              |
| [**Drupal CMS Privacy Basic**](/developers/understanding-varbase/drupal-cms-recipes/drupal-cms-privacy-basic.md)             | Basic privacy features with consent management.                                |
| [**Drupal CMS SEO Basic**](/developers/understanding-varbase/drupal-cms-recipes/drupal-cms-seo-basic.md)                     | Basic SEO with URL aliases and redirect management.                            |
| [**Drupal CMS SEO Tools**](/developers/understanding-varbase/drupal-cms-recipes/drupal-cms-seo-tools.md)                     | Advanced SEO with meta tags and XML sitemaps.                                  |
| [**Drupal CMS Accessibility Tools**](/developers/understanding-varbase/drupal-cms-recipes/drupal-cms-accessibility-tools.md) | Automated accessibility checks.                                                |
| [**Easy Email Express**](/developers/understanding-varbase/easy-email-recipes/easy-email-express.md)                         | All-in-one HTML email support.                                                 |
| [**Varbase Admin Base**](/developers/understanding-varbase/varbase-recipes/varbase-admin-base.md)                            | Default admin experience with Gin theme, navigation, and admin tools.          |
| [**Varbase Security Base**](/developers/understanding-varbase/varbase-recipes/varbase-security-base.md)                      | Hardened security with password policies and spam prevention.                  |
| [**Varbase Media Base**](/developers/understanding-varbase/varbase-recipes/varbase-media-base.md)                            | Comprehensive media handling with image styles and media library.              |
| [**Varbase Editor Base**](/developers/understanding-varbase/varbase-recipes/varbase-editor-base.md)                          | CKEditor 5 with rich text editing capabilities and plugins.                    |
| [**Varbase Content Base**](/developers/understanding-varbase/varbase-recipes/varbase-content-base.md)                        | Core content configuration including node types and taxonomy.                  |
| [**Varbase Workflow Base**](/developers/understanding-varbase/varbase-recipes/varbase-workflow-base.md)                      | Content moderation, scheduled publishing, and workflows.                       |
| [**Varbase SEO Base**](/developers/understanding-varbase/varbase-recipes/varbase-seo-base.md)                                | Comprehensive SEO modules and configurations.                                  |
| [**Varbase Webform Base**](/developers/understanding-varbase/varbase-recipes/varbase-webform-base.md)                        | Webform modules for building and managing forms.                               |
| [**Varbase Page Base**](/developers/understanding-varbase/varbase-recipes/varbase-page-base.md)                              | Page content type with SEO fields, editorial workflow, and menu configuration. |
| [**Varbase Blog Base**](/developers/understanding-varbase/varbase-recipes/varbase-blog-base.md)                              | Blog post content type with listing page.                                      |
| [**Varbase Performance Base**](/developers/understanding-varbase/varbase-recipes/varbase-performance-base.md)                | Page caching, image optimization, and performance settings.                    |
| [**Varbase Demo Content**](/developers/understanding-varbase/varbase-recipes/varbase-demo-content.md)                        | Demo content for new Varbase sites.                                            |

## Included Modules

Brings in the following core and contributed modules to your site:

| Module                                                                   | Purpose                                                                                                  |
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------ | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| [**CVA (Class Variance Authority)**](https://www.drupal.org/project/cva) | Provides html\_cva Twig function for managing component variants using Class Variance Authority pattern. |
| [**Project Browser**](https://www.drupal.org/project/project_browser)    | Provides a user interface for browsing available Drupal projects.                                        |

## Included Themes

| Theme                                                           | Description                                                                                |
| --------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| [**Vartheme BS5**](https://www.drupal.org/project/vartheme_bs5) | Starterkit theme for Varbase standard websites. Based on Bootstrap 5 framework using SASS. |

## Installation

Apply the recipe using Drush:

```bash
ddev drush recipe ../recipes/varbase_starter
```

Applying the Varbase Starter recipe will install and configure all of its dependencies, resulting in a fully functional Varbase site ready for content creation and customization.