# 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!