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

# Start from the example app

> Run the SDK example — the fastest way to start. It uses the same routes and hook a real app uses, defaulting to sample-data mode.

Start by running the SDK example. It is the **fastest way to start**: it uses the same backend routes and React hook that a real app uses, but defaults to **sample-data mode** so you can verify the app shape before registering an app identity, funding escrow, or running a Personal Server.

<Note>Requires **Node.js 22+** (the Vana SDK's minimum).</Note>

```shell theme={null}
git clone https://github.com/vana-com/vana-sdk.git
cd vana-sdk
npm install
npm run typecheck --workspace @opendatalabs/vana-app-example
npm run dev --workspace @opendatalabs/vana-app-example
```

Open [`http://localhost:3000`](http://localhost:3000) and click **Connect Spotify**. The approval tab returns locally, the original tab polls status, and the app reads sample data through the same `createAccessRequest`, `getAccessRequestStatus`, and `readApprovedData` controller methods used in live mode.

<Note>If port 3000 is taken, Next.js starts on the next free port (for example `http://localhost:3001`). Open the port it prints, and set `VANA_APP_URL` to that same origin so the approval return URL matches.</Note>

After the sample flow works, adapt the example to your app. These live in `examples/vana-app/lib/vana.ts`:

* **Source** and **app `id`/`name`** are constants in `lib/vana.ts` — edit them there.
* **Scopes** can be set either in `lib/vana.ts` or with the `VANA_SCOPES` env var (comma-separated, for example `VANA_SCOPES=spotify.savedTracks,spotify.profile`).
* **Sample fixture URL** is set with `VANA_SAMPLE_DATA_URL` (or `VANA_SAMPLE_DATA_PATH` for a local file).

Reusable sample fixtures belong in [`vana-com/data-connectors`](https://github.com/vana-com/data-connectors).

## Test against the live protocol

Copy the example env file:

```shell theme={null}
cp examples/vana-app/.env.example examples/vana-app/.env.local
```

Then set `VANA_MODE=live` (from `sample`), `VANA_APP_PRIVATE_KEY`, `VANA_APP_URL`, `VANA_ENV=production`, and `VANA_NETWORK=moksha` (testnet) or `mainnet`. Keep the private key server-side.

<Note>You don't set the escrow contract address — the SDK resolves it from the network you choose (`VANA_NETWORK`), along with the escrow gateway. Just [fund escrow](/build-a-vana-app/escrow-and-fees) for your app on that network so paid reads can settle. `VANA_ESCROW_CONTRACT`, `VANA_DP_RPC_URL`, `VANA_ACCESS_REQUEST_BASE_URL`, and `VANA_APPROVAL_APP_BASE_URL` exist only as optional overrides for custom deployments — leave them unset to use the network defaults.</Note>

<Info>Prefer to build the integration directly into your own app? See [Add Vana to your own app](/build-a-vana-app/manual-implementation).</Info>