---
title: "Get Started with Elements"
author: "@chris"
author_url: https://elements.dev/u/@chris
published: 2026-10-29T22:57:22.055Z
url: https://elements.dev/learn/get-started-with-elements-zyqxl1cn
kind: series
parts: 10
duration: "31:35"
image: https://elements.dev/learn/get-started-with-elements-zyqxl1cn/thumbnail?v=3360aaa5494d
---

# Get Started with Elements

Install VS Code and Elements, build a todos app by asking an AI agent, and deploy the app to DigitalOcean. Then tour the project environment, the elements command, the website and the business.

## Parts

### 1. Introduction

An overview of the series: we install VS Code and Elements, build an app with an AI agent, deploy the app, and look around the tooling, the website and the business.

Duration: 0:18  
URL: https://elements.dev/learn/get-started-with-elements-zyqxl1cn/introduction-7bh3ils9  
Markdown: https://elements.dev/learn/get-started-with-elements-zyqxl1cn/introduction-7bh3ils9.md

### 2. Install VS Code

We install VS Code, sign in to GitHub Copilot, set the chat to Auto and Allow all, and open a terminal.

Duration: 3:30  
URL: https://elements.dev/learn/get-started-with-elements-zyqxl1cn/install-vs-code-6mkwam50  
Markdown: https://elements.dev/learn/get-started-with-elements-zyqxl1cn/install-vs-code-6mkwam50.md

### 3. Install Elements

We create an Elements account, verify the email address, and install Elements by pasting the install script into the terminal in VS Code.

Duration: 1:27  
URL: https://elements.dev/learn/get-started-with-elements-zyqxl1cn/install-elements-w2g1o2j0  
Markdown: https://elements.dev/learn/get-started-with-elements-zyqxl1cn/install-elements-w2g1o2j0.md

### 4. Create Your First App

We create an app from the Command Palette, start the app with elements start, and ask the AI agent to build a todos app with sign in.

Duration: 5:26  
URL: https://elements.dev/learn/get-started-with-elements-zyqxl1cn/create-your-first-app-18vfjtpp  
Markdown: https://elements.dev/learn/get-started-with-elements-zyqxl1cn/create-your-first-app-18vfjtpp.md

### 5. Set Up a Deployment Environment on DigitalOcean

We draw what a deployment looks like, then create a DigitalOcean droplet and a managed Postgres cluster and copy their connection details.

Duration: 4:49  
URL: https://elements.dev/learn/get-started-with-elements-zyqxl1cn/set-up-a-deployment-environment-on-digitalocean-gvmgpmr0  
Markdown: https://elements.dev/learn/get-started-with-elements-zyqxl1cn/set-up-a-deployment-environment-on-digitalocean-gvmgpmr0.md

### 6. Deploy Your App

We paste the server and database details into the AI agent, answer its questions, and deploy the todos app to a live site with HTTPS.

Duration: 3:11  
URL: https://elements.dev/learn/get-started-with-elements-zyqxl1cn/deploy-your-app-wirnxgdm  
Markdown: https://elements.dev/learn/get-started-with-elements-zyqxl1cn/deploy-your-app-wirnxgdm.md

### 7. The Project Environment

Where an Elements project lives, how to reopen a project in VS Code, starting the day with elements start, and working from the terminal.

Duration: 2:32  
URL: https://elements.dev/learn/get-started-with-elements-zyqxl1cn/the-project-environment-w6sfu6d3  
Markdown: https://elements.dev/learn/get-started-with-elements-zyqxl1cn/the-project-environment-w6sfu6d3.md

### 8. The Elements Tooling

A tour of the elements command: the manual, create, build, install, db, test, JSON output for agents, and the project server.

Duration: 6:07  
URL: https://elements.dev/learn/get-started-with-elements-zyqxl1cn/the-elements-tooling-ljm4imcd  
Markdown: https://elements.dev/learn/get-started-with-elements-zyqxl1cn/the-elements-tooling-ljm4imcd.md

### 9. The Elements Website and Community

A tour of elements.dev signed in: demos, Learn, search, the Discuss community, the get-started guide, the manual, issues and your profile.

Duration: 2:48  
URL: https://elements.dev/learn/get-started-with-elements-zyqxl1cn/the-elements-website-and-community-7w30tjju  
Markdown: https://elements.dev/learn/get-started-with-elements-zyqxl1cn/the-elements-website-and-community-7w30tjju.md

### 10. The Elements Business

Where Elements came from, how Elements gets paid for its tooling while the runtime stays MIT licensed, and how to try Elements.

Duration: 1:27  
URL: https://elements.dev/learn/get-started-with-elements-zyqxl1cn/the-elements-business-9c72zmkm  
Markdown: https://elements.dev/learn/get-started-with-elements-zyqxl1cn/the-elements-business-9c72zmkm.md