> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.sqd.dev/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Development Environment Setup

> Prepare your development environment for Squid SDK.

This guide will help you set up all the necessary tools for developing with Squid SDK.

## Prerequisites

You'll need to install the following tools to start building blockchain indexers with Squid SDK.

## Node.js

Node.js is required to run Squid SDK. Install Node.js v20 or newer:

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Linux">
    Use your distribution's package manager or the [official binaries](https://nodejs.org/en/download).
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Mac">
    Use the [official binaries](https://nodejs.org/en/download) or [Homebrew](https://nodejs.org/en/download/package-manager/#alternatives-2).
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Windows">
    Use WSL2 and follow [this guide](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/dev-environment/javascript/nodejs-on-wsl), or use the [official installer](https://nodejs.org/en/download).
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

<Check>
  Verify your Node.js installation by running `node --version`. You should see
  v20.0.0 or higher.
</Check>

```bash theme={"system"}
node --version
```

## Squid CLI

Squid CLI is a command-line tool for scaffolding, managing, and deploying squids. Install it globally:

```bash theme={"system"}
npm i -g @subsquid/cli
```

<Check>Verify the installation by running `sqd --version`.</Check>

For detailed installation instructions and troubleshooting, see the [CLI installation guide](/en/cloud/reference/cli/installation).

## Git

Squid CLI uses [Git](https://git-scm.com) to retrieve templates. Install Git for your platform:

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Linux">
    Use your distribution's package manager (e.g., `apt install git` or `yum install git`).
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Mac">
    Use the [official installer](https://sourceforge.net/projects/git-osx-installer/) or install via [Homebrew](https://git-scm.com/download/mac):

    ```bash theme={"system"}
    brew install git
    ```
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Windows">
    Download and install [Git for Windows](https://git-scm.com/download/win).
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

<Check>Verify Git installation by running `git --version`.</Check>

## Docker

Most squids [use a database](../writing-to-postgres) to store processed data. Docker makes it easy to run PostgreSQL locally for development.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Linux">
    **Ubuntu**

    Follow the [official installation guide](https://docs.docker.com/engine/install/ubuntu/#install-using-the-repository) for Ubuntu.

    **Other Linux distributions**

    Use your distribution's package manager or follow the [official Docker installation guide](https://docs.docker.com/engine/install/).
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Mac">
    Install [Docker Desktop for Mac](https://docs.docker.com/desktop/mac/install/).
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Windows">
    Install [Docker Desktop for Windows](https://docs.docker.com/desktop/windows/install/).

    <Tip>
      For the best experience on Windows, use Docker Desktop with WSL2 integration.
    </Tip>
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

<Check>Verify Docker installation by running `docker --version`.</Check>

## Next Steps

With your environment set up, you're ready to start building:

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Quickstart" icon="rocket" href="../../quickstart">
    Build your first indexer in 5 minutes
  </Card>

  <Card title="Indexer from Scratch" icon="code" href="../../examples-tutorials/build-indexer-from-scratch">
    Learn how to compose SDK packages
  </Card>
</CardGroup>