---
title: IPFS Documentation
description: The home page for developer documentation for IPFS, the InterPlanetary File System.
---

# Welcome to the IPFS docs

The InterPlanetary File System (IPFS) is a set of composable, peer-to-peer protocols for addressing, routing, and transferring [content-addressed](concepts/glossary.md#content-addressing) data in a decentralized file system. Many popular Web3 projects are built on IPFS - see the [ecosystem directory](https://ecosystem.ipfs.tech) for a list of some of these projects.

## Learn

:::tip
New to IPFS? Start with
[the 3-page Basic Concepts](./concepts/README.md#learn-the-basics).
:::

- Learn what IPFS is and isn't, the problems it solves, the different subsystems that it is composed of and how each one works in [the Basic Concepts](./concepts/README.md#learn-the-basics).
- Dive into ideas like hashing, immutability, persistence (and more) that underlie IPFS in [Ideas and theory](./concepts/README.md#ideas-and-theory).
- Learn more about the subsystems that IPFS is composed of in [Subsystems and components](./concepts/README.md#subsystems-and-components)
- Get an [overview of IPFS implementations](./concepts/ipfs-implementations.md).
- [Compare IPFS to other similar systems](./concepts/comparisons.md).
- Understand the project history, ecosystem status and more in the [Project section](./project/README.md).
- See how other software systems leverage IPFS in the [Case Studies section](./case-studies/arbol.md).

## Develop

:::tip
Are you developing with IPFS implementations and tools, and looking for technical support from IPFS experts? For the fastest possible assistance and resolution of your support needs, see the [guide to getting technical help and support](./community/README.md#get-technical-support-and-help).
:::

- Install and set up various IPFS implementations and tools in [Get Started](./install/README.md).
- Get inspired with [IPFS usage ideas and examples](#examples-and-case-studies).
- Find reference material for IPFS implementations, tools and the HTTP API in the [API and CLI references](./reference/README.md).
- Learn by doing with the hands-on guides available in the [How-to guides](./how-to/README.md).


## Join the IPFS community

IPFS has a bustling community of designers, developers, writers, and activists who are all helping to improve the project. Find out about the events and resources available, and how to get involved in the [Community section](./community/README.md)