# Getting started

WooCommerce is a customizable, open-source eCommerce platform built on WordPress. It empowers businesses worldwide to sell anything from physical products and digital downloads to subscriptions, content, and even appointments.

* Get familiar with [WordPress Plugin Development](https://developer.wordpress.org/plugins/).
* Take a moment to familiarize yourself with our [Developer Resources](https://developer.wordpress.org/plugins/plugin-basics/).
* Join the [Woo Community Slack](https://woo.com/community-slack/)

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## Build WooCommerce extensions

Explore comprehensive guides and resources to build and enhance WooCommerce extensions. Dive into development best practices and innovative techniques for creating powerful extensions.

* [How to build your first extension](/docs/extensions/getting-started-extensions/building-your-first-extension)
* [Designing a simple extension](/docs/extensions/getting-started-extensions/how-to-design-a-simple-extension)
* [Extension development best practices](/docs/extensions/best-practices-extensions/extension-development-best-practices)

Learn more about [extension development](/docs/extensions/getting-started-extensions/)

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## Build WooCommerce themes

Discover the art of WooCommerce theme development. Learn about theme customization, design principles, and enhancing user experience to create visually appealing and functional themes.

* [How to set up and use a child theme](/docs/theming/theme-development/set-up-a-child-theme)
* [Classic theme developer handbook](/docs/theming/theme-development/classic-theme-developer-handbook)
* [Theme design and user experience guidelines](/docs/theming/theme-development/theme-design-ux-guidelines)

Learn more about [classic theme development](/docs/theming/theme-development/classic-theme-developer-handbook) or [Block theme development](/docs/theming/block-theme-development/theming-woo-blocks)

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## Contribute to WooCommerce

Join our open-source community and contribute to WooCommerce. Explore how you can make a difference by tackling open issues and enhancing the WooCommerce ecosystem.

* [Visit the WooCommerce monorepo](https://github.com/woocommerce/woocommerce)
* [Open Issues on GitHub](https://github.com/woocommerce/woocommerce/issues)
* [Woo contributor guidelines](/docs/contribution/contributing/)

Learn more about [contributing](/docs/contribution/contributing)

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## Additional resources

* [WooCommerce Official Website](https://woocommerce.com/)
* [Woo Marketplace](https://woocommerce.com/marketplace)
* All [WooCommerce Repositories on GitHub](https://woocommerce.github.io/)

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## Not a developer?

This documentation site is intended for developers. If you're a merchant or are new to WooCommerce, please check out [woocommerce.com](https://woocommerce.com/) for our merchant-facing docs.