drupaltools-onboarding

name	drupaltools-onboarding
description	Step-by-step onboarding checklist for Drupal newcomers covering basics, local setup, community engagement, and learning resources. Use this skill when the user is new to Drupal, asks "how do I start with Drupal", "I'm a Drupal rookie", wants an onboarding guide, or needs a beginner checklist for learning Drupal development.

Drupal Onboarding Guide

A step-by-step, opinionated checklist for Drupal rookies starting their journey.

Source: https://raw.githubusercontent.com/theodorosploumis/notes/refs/heads/master/drupal/start-drupal.md

Overview

This skill guides complete beginners through the foundational knowledge and setup required to become a Drupal developer.

Phase 1: Technical Prerequisites

Before touching Drupal, ensure you know these basics:

• PHP - The programming language Drupal is built on (php.net)
• MySQL - Primary database used by Drupal (mysql.com)
• Composer - PHP dependency manager (getcomposer.org)
• Git - Version control system (git-scm.com)
• CLI - Comfortable using command-line interfaces (Wikipedia)
• Markdown - Documentation format (Wikipedia)
• YAML - Configuration file format used extensively in Drupal (Wikipedia)
• IDE - Integrated Development Environment (PhpStorm recommended, or VSCode)

Phase 2: Drupal Fundamentals

Core Drupal concepts and tools:

• Drupal.org navigation - Understand project versions, issue queues, and contribution workflow
• Drush - Drupal's command-line tool for administration and development
• Drupal installation - Can install Drupal 9.x+ using modern tools (recommend DDEV from drupaltools.com)
• Admin UI - Enable/disable modules, configure settings through the web interface

Phase 3: Local Development Environment

Complete your machine setup:

• Developer tools - Install all required software following the Drupal Developer Setup checklist
• Local server - Working local environment (Apache/Nginx, PHP, MySQL/PostgreSQL)
• Debugging tools - Xdebug, IDE configuration for breakpoints

Phase 4: Community Engagement

Join the Drupal ecosystem:

• Drupal.org account - Create account at drupal.org
• Drupal Slack - Join drupal.slack.com for real-time community chat
• Drupal StackExchange - Account at drupal.stackexchange.com for Q&A
• Local community - Find and join your local Drupal user group at drupal.org/community
• Scholarship program - Learn about the Discover Drupal scholarship for career changers and underrepresented groups

Learning Resources

Getting Started

• How to Become a Drupal Developer - Drupalize.me, 2021
• Drupal.org - Overview of Drupal
• Drupal Lessons - Structured learning path

Recommended Next Steps

After completing this checklist:

1. Build a simple "Hello World" custom module
2. Create a content type and view
3. Contribute to an issue on Drupal.org (documentation, testing, or code)
4. Attend a local Drupal camp or meetup

Using This Skill

When a user says they're new to Drupal or asks how to get started:

1. Assess their background - Do they know PHP/Git/Composer already?
2. Guide through phases - Start with Phase 1 basics, don't skip prerequisites
3. Recommend DDEV - For local setup, emphasize DDEV as the easiest path
4. Encourage community - Drupal has a welcoming community; joining accelerates learning
5. Point to resources - Share the official docs and community spaces

Ready to start your journey with Drupal!