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

# Get Started

> Start your Collate onboarding journey. Explore platform overviews, setup paths for SaaS, Hybrid Runner, and Local Agent, and follow the Quickstart to connect your first data source.

<div className="getting-started-container">
  # Get Started

  Collate is a unified platform for data discovery, observability, and governance. It centralizes all context around your data so your team can build high-quality data and AI assets with speed and confidence.

  The following guides help you understand Collate, its key features, and what to do before you start.

  <Columns cols={2} className="product-cards">
    <Card title="Overview" href="/getting-started/overview">
      Learn what Collate is, who it's for, and the platform pillars that power your data ecosystem.
    </Card>

    <Card title="Before You Begin" href="/getting-started/before-you-begin">
      Confirm your account type, gather credentials, and prepare your environment before setup.
    </Card>
  </Columns>

  Once you know which path to follow, this guide gets you up and running in the shortest path possible.

  <Columns cols={2} className="product-cards">
    <Card title="Let's Get Started" href="/getting-started/connect-data">
      A step-by-step guide covering how to set up a data connector, ingest metadata, invite users, and explore your data assets in Collate.
    </Card>
  </Columns>

  Select your connection method to get detailed setup instructions for your plan and infrastructure.

  <Columns cols={3} className="product-cards">
    <Card title="Collate SaaS" href="/getting-started/collate-saas">
      Connect data sources directly from Collate's cloud with no local agent or infrastructure required.
    </Card>

    <Card title="Hybrid Ingestion Runner" href="/getting-started/hybrid-ingestion-runner">
      Run ingestion workflows inside your own infrastructure. Available for Premium users.
    </Card>

    <Card title="Local Ingestion Agent" href="/getting-started/local-ingestion-agent">
      Run metadata ingestion from your laptop using Docker. Available for Free Tier users.
    </Card>
  </Columns>
</div>