---
title: Get started
url: https://docs.apify.com/get-started.md
parents:
  - [Apify documentation](https://docs.apify.com/llms.txt)
next: [Agent onboarding](https://docs.apify.com/get-started/agent-onboarding.md)
---

# Get started

Apify is a cloud platform for running serverless programs called Actors. This page is a short orientation: what an Actor is, how to run your first one, and where to go next.

## What's an Actor?

Actors are serverless programs that automate workflows and extract data. Each Actor takes a structured JSON input, performs a task (web scraping, browser automation, or data processing, for example), and can optionally produce a structured output. You can run Actors manually, via API, or on a schedule, and combine them into larger automations.

[Apify Store](https://apify.com/store) has thousands of public Actors built by Apify and the open-source community. You can also publish your own.

## Run your first Actor

Open [Apify Store](https://apify.com/store), pick an Actor, click **Start**, and review the output. No code required.

For background on the pricing models you'll see in Store (pay per event, pay per usage, rental), see [Actors in Store](https://docs.apify.com/actors/running/actors-in-store.md).

## Build your first Actor

Ready to build your own? [Build an Actor](https://docs.apify.com/get-started/build.md) walks you through the options: local development with the CLI, the web IDE, AI-assisted coding, or building an AI agent.

## Common next steps

* [Schedule an Actor to run automatically](https://docs.apify.com/actors/running/schedules.md)
* [Trigger Actors from Zapier, Make, n8n, or your own API](https://docs.apify.com/integrations.md)
* [Connect an external AI agent to Apify](https://docs.apify.com/get-started/agent-onboarding.md)
* [Set up an organization for your team](https://docs.apify.com/account/collaboration/organization.md)
* [Publish and monetize your own Actor](https://docs.apify.com/actors/publishing.md)