# Building guide

## Prerequisites

- [node](https://nodejs.org/en/download) v22.22.0+
- npm v10.9.4+
- git v2.34.1+

Other versions may work, they are simply untested.

## Guide

1. Clone the repo:                              `git clone https://git.dou.bet/iamdoubz/drawit.git`
2. Enter the repo:                              `cd drawit`
3. Install DrawIt's dependencies:               `npm install --omit=dev`
4. Copy env example:                            `cp .env.example .env.local`
5. Edit `.env.local` to match your environment: `nano .env.local`

**NOTE:** be sure to generate a long and unique `SESSION_SECRET`. Recommendation: `openssl rand -hex 32`

6. Build the production assets:                 `npm run build`
7. OPTIONALLY, check the TypeScript files:      `npm run typecheck`
8. Start the server:                            `npm run start`

You should now be running your very own DrawIt instance!

## Additional reading

After you know *it works!*, you should set up an [init startup service](AUTO_STARTING.md) and [reverse proxy](REVERSE_PROXIES.md).