> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://devdocs.xbox.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Set up and install the GDK

> Start here for XBOX GDK development: what the GDK is, dev PC setup, Windows SDK and Visual Studio install, GDK download, and building your first sample.

This is step 2 of the guided path. Before you start, complete [ID@XBOX onboarding](/home/onboarding). Microsoft's approval process grants you access to download the GDK.

By the end of this page, you understand what the GDK is and have all the tools installed on your PC. You've also built one of Microsoft's sample games to confirm your setup works.

## What is the GDK?

The Microsoft Game Development Kit (GDK) is a free bundle of tools, code libraries, and documentation that Microsoft ships for building XBOX and Windows games. You install it on your Windows PC the same way you install any other program.

The GDK contains three components:

<CardGroup cols={3}>
  <Card title="Code libraries" icon="cube">
    C++ APIs for saves, sign-in, achievements, controllers, and audio. You call these from your game.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Visual Studio integration" icon="code">
    Templates and build targets that let you create an XBOX game project the same way you create any other Visual Studio project.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Command-line tools" icon="terminal">
    Utilities for packaging your game, deploying to a dev kit, and validating your build before submission.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

The GDK is the current toolchain for shipping games on XBOX and the Microsoft Store. It replaces the older XDK and UWP toolchains.

<Tip>
  The [GDK glossary](/home/glossary) defines every acronym you encounter, and the [API reference](/reference/system/gc-reference-system-toc) documents every function once you start coding.
</Tip>

## Install and verify

<Steps>
  <Step title="Install the GDK toolchain" icon="download">
    Confirm your dev PC meets requirements, then install the Windows SDK, Visual Studio, and the GDK in that order.

    <Card title="Install the GDK" icon="arrow-right" href="/home/setup-install/download-install">
      Requirements, prerequisites, and a step-by-step install.
    </Card>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Build a sample" icon="code">
    Open a shipped GDK sample in Visual Studio and confirm your environment builds and deploys cleanly. This step verifies the toolchain end to end.

    <Card title="GDK samples" icon="arrow-right" href="/home/setup-install/samples">
      Reference samples that ship with the GDK.
    </Card>
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Next steps

After a sample builds and runs, create your own project.

<Card title="Build your first title" icon="arrow-right" href="/home/build-first-title/developing-new-titles">
  Select a Visual Studio template and get your own GDK project running.
</Card>