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

# LabEx Quick Start

> Skill Tree is a core concept of LabEx, providing you with a systematic and intelligent learning experience.

LabEx is a platform for learning new programming skills by hands-on labs. You can learn new skills by completing labs and challenges, and you can showcase your skills by building projects.

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="JOIN SKILLTREE" icon="route">
    After signing up, you'll be prompted to join a Skill Tree.
  </Card>

  <Card title="UNLOCK SKILLS" icon="lock-open">
    Each Skill Tree contains a set of skills to unlock.
  </Card>

  <Card title="LEARN COURSES" icon="book-open">
    Labs and challenges are organized into courses.
  </Card>

  <Card title="BUILD PROJECTS" icon="hammer">
    Use the skills you've learned to build projects.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Skill Trees

Skill Trees are a collection of skills that are related to a specific topic. Each Skill Tree contains a set of labs and challenges that are organized into courses. Learn more about how they work in [LabEx Skill Trees](/en/using-labex/skill-trees).

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/huhuhang/q4ekfuwM7mDVAiiH/images/skill-trees-list.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=q4ekfuwM7mDVAiiH&q=85&s=0545f05f4e595acf0b0756bb80cdfca8" alt="Skill Trees Image" width="2738" height="1360" data-path="images/skill-trees-list.png" />

<Tip>The existing skill trees will be continuously updated and modified.</Tip>

<Steps>
  <Step title="Join a Skill Tree">
    After signing up, you'll be prompted to join a Skill Tree. You can also join a Skill Tree at any time by visiting [labex.io/learn](https://labex.io/learn).

    <img src="https://mintcdn.com/huhuhang/lbTGZZG7azHYkwfT/images/join-skill-tree.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=lbTGZZG7azHYkwfT&q=85&s=0b7b3dbf61b8ae44f5597f27873ef474" alt="Join Skill Tree Image" width="1609" height="620" data-path="images/join-skill-tree.png" />
  </Step>

  <Step title="Learn Labs">
    Labs are hands-on learning experiences that allow you to practice your skills in a real-world environment. While all LabEx content is referred to as "Labs," there are actually two distinct types:

    * **Guided Lab** (beaker icon): Ideal for beginners, these labs focus on conceptual explanations and step-by-step guidance. Users can complete the practice by following along with each instruction.
    * **Challenge Lab** (PASS icon): Designed for testing and challenging advanced users, these labs typically contain minimal explanatory content. They provide only objectives and requirements, requiring users to independently attempt and complete the challenges.

          <img src="https://mintcdn.com/huhuhang/7MkDgRXjpV5_xOPf/images/20251010-09-47-34-jEdStkS4.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=7MkDgRXjpV5_xOPf&q=85&s=8e235f6b548f2501431abc9cf92cb576" alt="Guided Lab Image" width="1460" height="483" data-path="images/20251010-09-47-34-jEdStkS4.png" />

    You can distinguish between Guided Labs and Challenge Labs by the icons displayed on the left side of each lab.

    You can start a lab by clicking on the `Start` button.

    <img src="https://mintcdn.com/huhuhang/q4ekfuwM7mDVAiiH/images/start-lab.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=q4ekfuwM7mDVAiiH&q=85&s=f38e661558b1784678df84697097bbeb" alt="Start Lab Image" width="1609" height="1250" data-path="images/start-lab.png" />

    When you start a lab, LabEx will automatically create a new [Virtual Machine (VM)](/en/using-labex/virtual-machine) for you. You can follow the instructions in the lab to practice in the VM.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Unlock Skills">
    Each lab and challenge is associated with a set of skills. Completing a lab or challenge illuminates the corresponding skills, and lighting up the entire Skill Tree indicates proficiency in that area.

    <img src="https://mintcdn.com/huhuhang/q4ekfuwM7mDVAiiH/images/unlock-skills.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=q4ekfuwM7mDVAiiH&q=85&s=82fed25560a0173e53aefd4457fa478b" alt="Unlock Skills Image" width="346" height="162" data-path="images/unlock-skills.png" />

    After you unlock all the skills in a Skill Tree:

    * You'll receive a [Certificate of Completion](/en/labex-pro/certificates-of-completion).
    * We will [Plant a Real Tree](/en/using-labex/green-learn-program) on your behalf.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Build Projects">
    Use the skills you've learned to build projects. Projects are a great way to showcase your skills and share your work with others.

    Projects also contains a set of skills that are related to a specific topic. Each project contains a set of labs and challenges.

    <img src="https://mintcdn.com/huhuhang/lbTGZZG7azHYkwfT/images/projects-list.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=lbTGZZG7azHYkwfT&q=85&s=16de182e29e28c4e3cc478049e87467d" alt="Projects Image" width="1609" height="951" data-path="images/projects-list.png" />
  </Step>
</Steps>