# Getting Started

> \[!NOTE]
>
> This means this project is 100% open-source. You can find its source code in the [Twilio Labs GitHub organization](https://github.com/twilio-labs).
>
> We currently don't support the projects through our official support channels. But you are welcome to reach out to us on GitHub for any questions, issues or suggestions or to contribute to this project.
>
> [Learn more about Twilio Labs](/docs/labs).

## Install the Twilio Serverless Toolkit

Before we can get started using the Twilio Serverless Toolkit, we need to install it.

There are two ways you can use the toolkit. If you are already using the [Twilio CLI](/docs/twilio-cli), you can install it via a plugin. Alternatively, you can use the toolkit as a standalone using [`twilio-run`](https://npm.im/twilio-run) via npm or another Node.js package manager.

Throughout the docs, you'll find all instructions using the Twilio CLI.

### When would I use which version?

If you and the people who work with you on the project have the [Twilio CLI](/docs/twilio-cli) installed, your best bet will be to use the [plugin](https://github.com/twilio-labs/plugin-serverless). If you intend to install the toolkit as a dependency directly to your project, you can alternatively install [`twilio-run`](https://github.com/twilio-labs/twilio-run) as a `devDependency` in your Node.js project.

```bash title="Install Twilio Serverless Toolkit" description="To get started, you'll have to install the Twilio Serverless Toolkit using the Twilio CLI"
# Install the Serverless plugin
twilio plugins:install @twilio-labs/plugin-serverless

# See a list of available commands:
twilio serverless --help
```

## Update the Serverless Toolkit

You can update Twilio CLI plugins by running `twilio plugins:update`, but this might not pull the very latest version. Instead, uninstall and re-install the plugin.

```bash title="Update the Serverless Toolkit"
# Uninstall the existing Serverless Toolkit
twilio plugins:remove @twilio-labs/plugin-serverless

# Install the latest version of the Serverless Toolkit
twilio plugins:install @twilio-labs/plugin-serverless@latest
```

## Explore the commands and options

You can find all available commands using the `--help` flag on the toolkit or a specific command.

```bash title="Get help in Twilio Serverless Toolkit"
# List all available commands
twilio serverless --help

# Get available flags and description for a specifically
# for a command like deploy
twilio serverless:deploy --help
```

## What's next?

Now that we have the toolkit installed let's see what we can do with it.

* [General Usage](/docs/labs/serverless-toolkit/general-usage)
  * [Create a project](/docs/labs/serverless-toolkit/general-usage#create-a-project)
  * [Project structure](/docs/labs/serverless-toolkit/general-usage#project-structure)
  * [Start developing locally](/docs/labs/serverless-toolkit/general-usage#start-developing-locally)
  * [Create a new Twilio Function](/docs/labs/serverless-toolkit/general-usage#create-a-new-twilio-function)
  * [Deploy a project](/docs/labs/serverless-toolkit/general-usage#deploy-a-project)
* [Examples](/docs/labs/serverless-toolkit/examples)