Skip to main contentReady to get hands-on with Apache Kafka? This section will guide you through setting up your first Kafka environment and running your first examples.
Quick start options
Option 1: start with Conduktor (recommended)
The fastest way to get up and running with Kafka - no installation required.
Launch Conduktor
Option 2: install Kafka locally
Set up Kafka on your local machine for development and learning.
Install on Mac
What you’ll learn
In this section, you’ll discover:
- How to set up a Kafka cluster quickly
- Creating your first topics
- Sending and receiving messages
- Using Kafka CLI tools effectively
- Best practices for development environments
Prerequisites
Before you begin, make sure you have:
- Basic command line knowledge
- Java 8+ installed (for local installations)
- A text editor or IDE of your choice
Ready to dive in? Choose your preferred setup method above and let’s get started! 
