> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://rudderlabs.gitbook.io/rudderlabs-1/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://rudderlabs.gitbook.io/rudderlabs-1/docs/rudderstack-open-source/installing-and-setting-up-rudderstack/developer-machine-setup.md).

# Developer Machine Setup

Step by step guide on setting up the RudderStack data plane (backend) on your developer machine.

This guide lists the steps required to set up the RudderStack data plane (backend) in your development environment.

## Setup prerequisites

To set up RudderStack, you will need to set up and install the following tools:

* [Go 1.17](https://golang.org/dl/) or above.
* [Node.js 14.17](https://nodejs.org/en/download/) or above.
* [PostgreSQL 11](https://www.postgresql.org/download/) or above

## RudderStack-hosted control plane

If you're using a RudderStack-hosted control plane, follow these steps to set up the data plane in your development environment:

1. Log into your [RudderStack Open Source dashboard](https://app.rudderstack.com/signup?type=opensource).
2. Note and copy your workspace token from the top of the page, as shown:

![RudderStack workspace token](https://876606571-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-Lq5Ea6fHVg3dSxMCgyQ%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-a382e8f0fbd032e01ec0bb28bbacdf9f36a46b66%2Fworkspace-token.png?alt=media)

The workspace token is required for setting up the data plane.

1. Then, set up the database in your preferred directory using the following commands:

```bash
createdb jobsdb
createuser --superuser rudder
psql "jobsdb" -c "alter user rudder with encrypted password 'rudder'";
psql "jobsdb" -c "grant all privileges on database jobsdb to rudder";
```

1. Next, clone the [RudderStack server](https://github.com/rudderlabs/rudder-server) repository:

```bash
git clone https://github.com/rudderlabs/rudder-server.git
```

1. Then, run `git submodule init` and `git submodule update` to fetch the `rudder-transformer` repository.
2. Next, navigate to the `rudder-transformer` directory using the following command:

```bash
cd rudder-transformer
```

1. Install the dependencies using the command `npm i`. Then, start the destination transformer using the following command:

```bash
node destTransformer.js
```

1. Navigate back to the main directory using the command `cd rudder-server`.
2. Copy `sample.env` to the main directory using the following command:

```bash
cp config/sample.env .env
```

1. Update the `WORKSPACE_TOKEN` environment variable in this file with the workspace token you copied in Step 2.
2. Finally, run the RudderStack server using the following command:

```bash
go run main.go
```

## Self-hosted control plane

If you have self-hosted the control plane using the open-source [Control Plane Lite](https://rudderstack.com/docs/rudderstack-open-source/control-plane-lite/) utility, follow the [Developer Machine Setup instructions](https://rudderstack.com/docs/rudderstack-open-source/control-plane-lite/#developer-machine-setup) to set up the RudderStack data plane in your development environment.

## Sending test events

Once you have successfully performed the steps above, follow the [Sending Test Events](https://rudderstack.com/docs/rudderstack-open-source/installing-and-setting-up-rudderstack/sending-test-events/) guide to verify the installation.

## Contact us

If you come across any issues while setting up RudderStack in your development environment, you can [contact us](mailto:docs@rudderstack.com) or start a conversation in our [Slack](https://rudderstack.com/join-rudderstack-slack-community) community.