# Development and operations

## Work on the platform

1. Read the [contribution guide](../../../CONTRIBUTING.md) and the owning context README.
2. Follow the [development setup](../../development.md).
3. Use the [context checklist](../../adding-a-context.md) when introducing a boundary.
4. Run the applicable [verification lanes](../../../TESTING.md).

## Use a dev box

A dev box runs the platform infrastructure and provider services. Your workstation
runs the editor and can run browser checks through its connection to that box.
A separate build runner is optional.

Select your own target and SSH alias using the [workstation defaults](../../development.md#workstation-defaults).
For example, `TARGET=dev-NAME` and `SSH=your-dev-box` identify your environment;
`DEPLOY_RUNNER` selects a separate runner when configured. Follow the
[dev-box guide](../../../dx/common/GUIDE.md) for prerequisites, delivery and the
local HTTPS connection. The documentation is available at
`https://docs.localtest.me` after documentation delivery and local HTTPS setup.

Keep private host settings and credentials outside committed guides. Use a
separate checkout on the configured runner for infrastructure checks, following
[the verification workflow](../../../TESTING.md#infrastructure-checks-on-the-dev-box).

## Operate an environment

Use [distributed setup](../../distributed-setup.md) for the inventory and hosts,
and [platform releases](../../platform-releases.md) for delivery and verification.
The [parallel-operation guide](../compatibility/index.md) explains the distinction
between the retained application and the new services.

## Work on this documentation site

From the repository root:

```sh
pnpm install --frozen-lockfile
pnpm docs:check
pnpm docs:preview
```

The preview listens on `http://127.0.0.1:3001`. `pnpm docs:dev` prepares the same
sources and starts the development server. Rerun preparation after editing a source
page; the rendered tree is generated. The [site maintenance guide](../../README.md)
explains source ownership, provenance and publication.