--- title: "Get Started with Parachain Development" description: "Practical examples and tutorials for building and deploying Polkadot parachains, covering everything from launch to customization and cross-chain messaging." categories: "Basics, Parachains" url: "https://developers.polkadot.com/parachains/get-started/" word_count: 677 token_estimate: 1505 version_hash: "sha256:8f91e6fcc83cd75bd2613c8a6d2b3241031ac0e873c05621114ac9851958dba6" last_updated: "2026-11-13T11:04:04+00:00" --- # Get Started The following sections provide practical recipes for building parachains on Polkadotβ€”each focused on specific development scenarios with step-by-step, hands-on examples. ## Quick Start Guides Quick start guides help developers set up and interact with the Polkadot parachain ecosystem using various tools and frameworks. | Tutorial | Tools | Description | |:----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------:|:---------------------:|:-----------------------------------------------------------------------:| | [Set Up the Parachain Template](/parachains/launch-a-parachain/set-up-the-parachain-template/) | Polkadot SDK | Learn how to set up and run the Polkadot SDK Parachain Template locally | | [Launch a Local Parachain](/parachains/testing/run-a-parachain-network/) | Zombienet, Chopsticks | Set up a local development environment for testing | | [Fork an Existing Parachain](/parachains/testing/fork-a-parachain/) | Chopsticks | Create a local fork of a live parachain for testing | ## Launch a Simple Parachain Learn the fundamentals of launching and deploying a parachain to the Polkadot network. | Title | Description | Difficulty | |---|---|---| | [Set Up the Parachain Template](/parachains/launch-a-parachain/set-up-the-parachain-template/) | Set up and run the Polkadot SDK Parachain Template locally. | 🟒 Beginner | | [Deploy to Polkadot](/parachains/launch-a-parachain/deploy-to-polkadot/) | Deploy your parachain to Polkadot step-by-step. | πŸ”΄ Advanced | | [Obtain Coretime](/parachains/launch-a-parachain/obtain-coretime/) | Acquire blockspace using Polkadot's coretime model. | πŸ”΄ Advanced | ## Customize Your Runtime Build custom functionality for your parachain by composing and creating pallets. | Title | Description | Difficulty | |---|---|---| | [Add Existing Pallets](/parachains/customize-runtime/add-existing-pallets/) | Integrate pre-built pallets from the FRAME ecosystem. | 🟑 Intermediate | | [Add Multiple Instances of a Pallet](/parachains/customize-runtime/add-pallet-instances/) | Configure and use multiple instances of the same pallet. | 🟑 Intermediate | | [Add Smart Contract Functionality](/parachains/customize-runtime/add-smart-contract-functionality/) | Enable smart contract capabilities using Contracts or EVM pallets. | N/A | ### Pallet Development Deep dive into creating and managing custom pallets for your parachain. | Title | Description | Difficulty | |---|---|---| | [Create a Custom Pallet](/parachains/customize-runtime/pallet-development/create-a-pallet/) | Build a pallet from scratch with custom logic. | 🟒 Beginner | | [Mock Your Runtime](/parachains/customize-runtime/pallet-development/mock-runtime/) | Set up a mock runtime environment for testing. | 🟑 Intermediate | | [Unit Test Pallets](/parachains/customize-runtime/pallet-development/pallet-testing/) | Write comprehensive tests for your pallet logic. | 🟑 Intermediate | | [Benchmark a Custom Pallet](/parachains/customize-runtime/pallet-development/benchmark-pallet/) | Measure and optimize pallet performance with benchmarking. | πŸ”΄ Advanced | ## Testing Test your parachain in various environments before production deployment. | Title | Description | Difficulty | |---|---|---| | [Fork a Parachain](/parachains/testing/fork-a-parachain/) | Create a local fork of a live parachain for testing. | 🟑 Intermediate | | [Run a Parachain Network](/parachains/testing/run-a-parachain-network/) | Launch a complete parachain test network with Zombienet. | 🟑 Intermediate | ## Runtime Upgrades and Maintenance Manage your parachain's lifecycle with forkless upgrades and maintenance operations. | Title | Description | Difficulty | |---|---|---| | [Runtime Upgrades](/parachains/runtime-maintenance/runtime-upgrades/) | Perform forkless runtime upgrades via governance. | 🟑 Intermediate | | [Storage Migrations](/parachains/runtime-maintenance/storage-migrations/) | Safely migrate storage when updating runtime logic. | N/A | | [Coretime Renewal](/parachains/runtime-maintenance/coretime-renewal/) | Renew coretime to ensure uninterrupted parachain operation. | N/A | | [Unlock Parachains](/parachains/runtime-maintenance/unlock-parachains/) | Understand parachain lifecycle and unlock mechanisms. | N/A | ## Interoperability Configure your parachain for cross-chain communication using XCM (Cross-Consensus Messaging). | Title | Description | Difficulty | |---|---|---| | [Get Started](/parachains/interoperability/get-started/) | Unlock blockchain interoperability with XCM β€” Polkadot's Cross-Consensus Messaging format for cross-chain interactions. | N/A | | [Open HRMP Channels Between Parachains](/parachains/interoperability/channels-between-parachains/) | Establish communication channels with other parachains. | πŸ”΄ Advanced | | [Open HRMP Channels With System Parachains](/parachains/interoperability/channels-with-system-parachains/) | Connect with Asset Hub and other system parachains. | πŸ”΄ Advanced | | [Register Your Parachain Asset](/chain-interactions/token-operations/register-foreign-asset/) | Register assets created outside of Asset Hub on Polkadot Hub. | 🟑 Intermediate | ## Integrations Integrate your parachain with essential ecosystem tools and services. | Title | Description | Difficulty | |---|---|---| | [Wallets](/parachains/integrations/wallets/) | Integrate wallet support for user interactions. | N/A | | [Indexers](/parachains/integrations/indexers/) | Set up indexing solutions for querying blockchain data. | N/A | | [Oracles](/parachains/integrations/oracles/) | Connect your parachain to off-chain data sources. | N/A | ## Additional Resources - [Polkadot SDK Documentation](https://paritytech.github.io/polkadot-sdk/master/polkadot_sdk_docs/polkadot_sdk/index.html) - [Polkadot Wiki - Parachains](/wiki/learn/learn-parachains/)