# Get Started

> Install SOW, create a flat repository, and learn the Managed workspace model.

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LLMS index: [llms.txt](/llms.txt)

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SOW builds static RPM/YUM and DEB/APT repositories; it is not an HTTP daemon. Choose one
of two isolated paths:

- **Plain:** `sow create` rebuilds indexes beside the packages in an ordinary directory.
- **Managed:** a workspace tracks package membership, Dists, architecture views, policy,
  signing, generations, audit history, and publication targets.

- [Installation](/docs/start/install/) — Choose a release archive, RPM/DEB package, or source build; verify the installed binary.
- [Quick Start](/docs/start/quickstart/) — Create and serve a flat repository from a directory of packages.
- [First Workspace](/docs/start/workspace/) — Initialize Managed mode, create RPM and DEB Dists, add packages, build, and check.
- [Core Concepts](/docs/start/concepts/) — Workspace, Repository, Dist, Package Object, Desired Membership, and Built Generation.
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Managed workspaces require a local POSIX filesystem with advisory locks, fsync, and atomic
rename semantics. Metadata generation is in-process; optional RPM package signing needs
`rpm`, while an `agent://` metadata key needs `gpg` and `gpg-agent`.

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Section pages:

- [Installation](/docs/start/install/): Install SOW from an archive, RPM/DEB package, or source, then verify the binary and filesystem requirements.
- [Quick Start](/docs/start/quickstart/): Index a directory of RPM and DEB packages, serve it, and configure a client.
- [Your First Workspace](/docs/start/workspace/): Create a workspace with RPM and DEB Dists, add packages, and verify the public tree.
- [Core Concepts](/docs/start/concepts/): The SOW model: Plain and Managed execution, pools and views, Desired Membership, and Built Generations.