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+# Getting Started - Dubai Metaverse
+
+## Welcome!
+
+This guide will help you get started with the Dubai Metaverse project.
+
+## Prerequisites Checklist
+
+- [ ] **Git** installed
+- [ ] **Git LFS** installed (for large files)
+- [ ] **Python 3.8+** installed
+- [ ] **Unreal Engine 5.4** (to be installed)
+- [ ] **Epic Games Launcher** (for UE5)
+
+## Quick Start (5 Minutes)
+
+### 1. Verify Setup
+```bash
+# Run master setup to validate everything
+./scripts/master_setup.sh
+```
+
+### 2. Install Python Dependencies
+```bash
+pip install -r requirements.txt
+```
+
+### 3. Install Git LFS (if not installed)
+```bash
+# Linux
+sudo apt install git-lfs
+git lfs install
+
+# macOS
+brew install git-lfs
+git lfs install
+
+# Windows
+# Download from: https://git-lfs.github.com
+```
+
+### 4. Verify Git Repository
+```bash
+git status
+git log --oneline
+```
+
+## Next Steps
+
+### Immediate (Can Do Now)
+1. ✅ Review documentation
+2. ✅ Run validation scripts
+3. ✅ Check project structure
+4. ✅ Review task lists
+
+### After UE5 Installation
+1. Install Unreal Engine 5.4 (see `UE5_SETUP.md`)
+2. Create `DubaiMetaverse` project
+3. Copy config templates
+4. Begin Phase 1, Week 2
+
+## Key Files to Read First
+
+1. **README.md** - Project overview
+2. **QUICK_REFERENCE.md** - Quick commands
+3. **NEXT_STEPS.md** - Detailed next steps
+4. **PROJECT_STATUS.md** - Current status
+5. **UE5_SETUP.md** - UE5 installation guide
+
+## Common Tasks
+
+### View Project Status
+```bash
+cat PROJECT_STATUS.md
+```
+
+### Run Validation
+```bash
+./scripts/validate_project.sh
+```
+
+### Check Next Steps
+```bash
+cat NEXT_STEPS.md
+```
+
+### View Task List
+```bash
+cat TASKS/phase1_tasks.md
+```
+
+## Getting Help
+
+- **Documentation**: See `docs/` directory
+- **Quick Reference**: `QUICK_REFERENCE.md`
+- **Command Reference**: `COMMAND_REFERENCE.md`
+- **Troubleshooting**: Check relevant documentation files
+
+## Project Structure
+
+```
+metaverseDubai/
+├── README.md              # Start here
+├── GETTING_STARTED.md     # This file
+├── QUICK_REFERENCE.md     # Quick commands
+├── NEXT_STEPS.md          # Detailed next steps
+├── docs/                  # Technical documentation
+├── TASKS/                 # Task breakdowns
+├── scripts/               # Automation scripts
+└── Content/               # UE5 content (after project creation)
+```
+
+## Success Indicators
+
+You're ready when:
+- ✅ `./scripts/master_setup.sh` runs without errors
+- ✅ `./scripts/validate_project.sh` passes
+- ✅ All documentation files present
+- ✅ Git repository initialized
+- ✅ Python dependencies installed
+
+---
+
+**Ready to begin?** Follow `UE5_SETUP.md` to install Unreal Engine 5.4!
+