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

# Create a project

> In this step, we will create a Cube Core project on your computer, connect a data source, and generate data models.

## Scaffold a project

Start by opening your terminal to create a new folder for the project, then
create a `docker-compose.yml` file within it:

```bash theme={"dark"}
mkdir my-first-cube-project
cd my-first-cube-project
touch docker-compose.yml
```

Open the `docker-compose.yml` file and add the following content:

```yaml theme={"dark"}
services:
  cube:
    image: cubejs/cube:latest
    ports:
      - 4000:4000
      - 15432:15432
    environment:
      - CUBEJS_DEV_MODE=true
    volumes:
      - .:/cube/conf
```

Note that we're setting the [`CUBEJS_DEV_MODE`](/reference/configuration/environment-variables#cubejs_dev_mode) environment variable to `true` to
enable the [Development Mode](/admin/connect-to-data#development-mode). This is
handy for local development but not suitable for
[production](/docs/deployment/production-checklist).

<Info>
  If you're using Linux as the Docker host OS, you'll also need to add
  `network_mode: 'host'` to your `docker-compose.yml`.
</Info>

## Start the development server

From the newly-created project directory, run the following command to start
Cube:

```bash theme={"dark"}
docker compose up -d
```

<Info>
  Using Windows? Remember to use [PowerShell][powershell-docs] or
  [WSL2][wsl2-docs] to run the command below.
</Info>

## Connect a data source

Head to [http://localhost:4000](http://localhost:4000) to open the [Developer
Playground][ref-devtools-playground].

The Playground has a database connection wizard that loads when Cube is first
started up and no `.env` file is found. After database credentials have been set
up, an `.env` file will automatically be created and populated with credentials.

<Frame>
  <img src="https://ucarecdn.com/fb36b103-1102-488d-a4aa-f0a44cd0b8ea/" />
</Frame>

<Info>
  Want to use a sample database instead? Select **PostgreSQL** and use the
  credentials below:

  <br />

  | Field    | Value              |
  | -------- | ------------------ |
  | Host     | `demo-db.cube.dev` |
  | Port     | `5432`             |
  | Database | `ecom`             |
  | Username | `cube`             |
  | Password | `12345`            |
</Info>

After selecting the data source, enter valid credentials for it and
click **Apply**. Check the [Connecting to Databases][ref-conf-db] page
for more details on specific data sources.

<Frame>
  <img src="https://ucarecdn.com/ca898215-9d0a-4bae-ad2b-33fd89a525f8/" />
</Frame>

You should see tables available to you from the configured database; select the
`orders` table. After selecting the table, click **Generate Data Model**
and pick either **YAML** (recommended) or **JavaScript** format:

<Frame>
  <img src="https://ucarecdn.com/c43d0904-d744-429b-96a8-af7a8db959e0/" />
</Frame>

Finally, click **Build** in the dialog, which should take you to
the **Build** page.

You're now ready for the next step, [querying the
data][ref-getting-started-core-query-cube].

[powershell-docs]: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/

[ref-conf-db]: /admin/connect-to-data/data-sources

[ref-getting-started-core-query-cube]: /docs/getting-started/core/query-data

[ref-devtools-playground]: /docs/workspace/playground

[wsl2-docs]: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wsl/install