# Quickstart

Deploy a fullstack app to a local network in under 5 minutes.

**Prerequisites:** [Node.js](https://nodejs.org/) (LTS) is required for the installation commands below.

> **Windows users:** This quickstart requires [WSL](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wsl/install) (for Motoko) and [Docker Desktop](https://docs.docker.com/desktop/setup/install/windows-install/) (for local networks). Install both first, then run all commands inside WSL.

## Install

```bash
# icp-cli and ic-wasm (required)
npm install -g @icp-sdk/icp-cli @icp-sdk/ic-wasm

# Motoko toolchain (for Motoko projects)
npm install -g ic-mops
```

> **Alternative methods:** See the [Installation Guide](guides/installation.md) for Homebrew, shell script, or other options.

## Steps

```bash
# 1. Create a new project with Motoko backend + React frontend
icp new hello-icp --subfolder hello-world --silent && cd hello-icp

# 2. Start a local network (runs in background)
icp network start -d

# 3. Build and deploy
icp deploy

# 4. Call your backend canister
icp canister call backend greet '("World")'

# 5. Stop the local network when done
icp network stop
```

You should see `("Hello, World!")` — and after deploying, open the **frontend URL** shown in the output to see your app.

## What's next?

- [Tutorial](tutorial.md) — Understand each step in detail
- [Configuration Reference](reference/configuration.md) — Customize your project
- [Deploy to Mainnet](guides/deploying-to-mainnet.md) — Go live on the Internet Computer