_extra/big_examples/before-begin.include.md

{% include fields.md %}

## Before You Begin

To use the examples, you'll need ``curl``, ``git``, ``java`` (1.6+), and ``maven`` (v3) installed.

### Installing Brooklyn

(If you followed the [Getting Started](/use/guide/quickstart/) instructions, you can skip to Installing the Examples.)

{% if SNAPSHOT %}

First, grab a copy of the Brooklyn snapshot distribution you wish to use from 
[the maven repository]({{ this_dist_url_list }})
(or build it yourself following instructions [here](/guide/dev/build/)),
unpack it to your favourite location (e.g. `$(pwd)`), 
and export `BROOKLYN_HOME`:

{% highlight bash %}
% curl -L -o brooklyn-dist-{{ site.brooklyn-version }}-dist.tar.gz "{{ this_dist_url_tgz }}"
% tar xvzf brooklyn-dist-{{ site.brooklyn-version }}-dist.tar.gz
% export BROOKLYN_HOME=$(pwd)/brooklyn-{{ site.brooklyn-version }}/
{% endhighlight %}

{% else %}

Grab a copy of the Brooklyn distribution and set up `BROOKLYN_HOME`:

{% highlight bash %}
% curl -LO "{{ this_dist_url_tgz }}"
% tar xvzf brooklyn-dist-{{ site.brooklyn-version }}-dist.tar.gz
% export BROOKLYN_HOME=$(pwd)/brooklyn-{{ site.brooklyn-version }}/
{% endhighlight %}

{% endif %}

### Installing the Examples 

Grab a copy of the brooklyn-examples source code and build it with Maven:

{% highlight bash %}
% git clone https://github.com/apache/brooklyn-library.git
% cd brooklyn-library/examples
% mvn clean install
{% endhighlight %}

{% if SNAPSHOT %}
Please note, these instructions are for a SNAPSHOT release of Brooklyn,
so proceed with caution. 
For the latest stable version, go [here](/meta/versions.md). 
{% endif %}

For more information on ways to download Brooklyn please
see the [download page](/guide/start/download.md).
For more information on the Brooklyn CLI and launching apps,
please visit [this section of the user guide](/guide/use/guide/management/index.html#cli).