# I want Advice on Getting Started With Linkerd
**URL:** https://linkerd.buoyant.io/t/i-want-advice-on-getting-started-with-linkerd/804
**Category:** Linkerd General Discussion
**Created:** [August 19, 2025, 5:34am UTC](https://linkerd.buoyant.io/t/i-want-advice-on-getting-started-with-linkerd/804 "2025-08-19T05:34:24Z")
**Posts on this page:** 2
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Sophia](https://linkerd.buoyant.io/u/Sophia)
#### Post date: [August 19, 2025, 5:34am UTC](https://linkerd.buoyant.io/t/i-want-advice-on-getting-started-with-linkerd/804/1 "2025-08-19T05:34:24Z")
Hey everyone,
I have been diving into service meshes & came across Linkerd. From what I have read so far, it seems lightweight compared to some of the other options out there & I like that it focuses on simplicity. I am still a bit new to the whole concept & want to hear how others here first got started.
What I am trying to figure out is the best way to approach learning Linkerd step by step. Do you think it is better to start experimenting directly in a small cluster or should I first spend more time on the docs before trying anything hands-on? Also, what challenges did you face in the early stages & how did you solve them?
By the way, while juggling with this I am working on a [Ruby On Rails course](https://www.igmguru.com/digital-marketing-programming/ruby-on-rails-certification-training) so I am trying to balance learning both worlds at once. Any tips from people who have done something similar would be great.
Thank you.🙂
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### Author:  [@Flynn](https://linkerd.buoyant.io/u/Flynn)
#### Post date: [August 20, 2025, 5:31pm UTC](https://linkerd.buoyant.io/t/i-want-advice-on-getting-started-with-linkerd/804/2 "2025-08-20T17:31:53Z")
The simplest way to start is probably the [2025 Service Mesh Academy kickoff](https://www.buoyant.io/service-mesh-academy/service-mesh-2025-kickoff-back-to-basics), which will show you a way of getting a sense of using Linkerd in a local cluster. There’s also the [Service Mesh 101](https://www.buoyant.io/courses/service-mesh-101) course. Either of those should give you a good grasp of the concepts before trying to just read the docs.