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

# First day builder path

> A practical day-one path for builders going from local setup to a working collaborative prototype with runtime evidence.

## Goal

Ship a small collaborative prototype and validate its runtime behavior in one day.

## Step 1: Align on model and contracts

Read:

* `quickstart`
* `architecture/mental-model`
* `sdk/javascript`

Outcome:

* You can describe your target room boundaries and write/read paths.

## Step 2: Run host + app surfaces

Use `developer-experience/apps` to start host and app surfaces.

Outcome:

* All surfaces run against a shared room id.

## Step 3: Implement first product behavior in demos

Use baseline patterns from:

* `apps/demos/infinite-room-workspace`
* `apps/demos/collab-maps`

Focus on:

* one shared state write path
* one collaboration signal/presence path
* one failure-state message in UI

Outcome:

* You have one deterministic interaction path that converges across two peers.

## Step 4: Validate runtime evidence

Use:

* `apps/playground/protocol-inspector`
* `apps/playground/replay-lab`

Capture:

* filtered protocol trace snippet
* replay snapshot before/after interaction

Outcome:

* You can prove behavior with trace + replay evidence, not just screenshots.

## Step 5: Harden minimum operator posture

Review:

* `operators/server-setup`
* `operators/security-and-auth`
* `operators/troubleshooting`

Outcome:

* You can explain minimum deployment and incident posture for your prototype.

## Exit checklist

* Shared behavior converges in two windows.
* Failure states are surfaced in UI.
* Protocol/replay evidence captured for one user workflow.
* App links and runbook notes are documented for teammates.

## Related pages

* [onboarding/frontend-app-team](/onboarding/frontend-app-team)
* [onboarding/platform-operator-team](/onboarding/platform-operator-team)
* [tutorials/trace-a-room-session](/tutorials/trace-a-room-session)
* [tutorials/incident-debug-sprint](/tutorials/incident-debug-sprint)