# Quick start

Welcome to DeSci Codex! This guide will help you get started based on what you want to do.

## Discovering Content

Want to explore research published on Codex?

### Gateway Applications

* Discover published research in the [DeSci Nodes](https://nodes.desci.com) application
* Explore the raw publications using the [dPID Browser](https://dpid.org/browse)

### Direct Protocol Access

* Programmatically explore content using the [dPID resolver API](https://dpid.org/api-docs/)

## Publishing Content

Ready to publish your manuscript, data, and code?

### Getting Started

* Publish your research to Codex using the [DeSci Nodes](https://nodes.desci.com) application

### Advanced Publishing

* Programmatic publishing with typescript/javascript library [nodes-lib](https://www.npmjs.com/package/@desci-labs/nodes-lib) ([library docs](https://desci-labs.github.io/nodes/))
* Learn how to [self-host your publication data](/protocol-operation/data-storage.md)

## Contribute to the network

Want to help maintain the network?

### Node Operations

* Run your own [Codex Node](/protocol-operation/codex-node.md) to support the network
* Run your own [dPID resolver](https://github.com/desci-labs/dpid-resolver)

## Building Integrations

Want to build on top of Codex?

### Integrations

* Build a custom gateway using the [dPID resolver API](https://dpid.org/api-docs/)
* Create low-level protocol integrations using [codex-lib](https://www.npmjs.com/package/@desci-labs/desci-codex-lib)
* Build a custom DeSci Nodes integration using [nodes-lib](https://www.npmjs.com/package/@desci-labs/nodes-lib)

## Next Steps

Choose your path above and dive deeper into the specific documentation. You are always welcome to [join our Discord](https://discord.gg/A5P9fgB5Cf) and connect with the community. This is the place to get help along the way!


---

# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://codex.desci.com/readme/quick-start.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.