.. toctree:: :maxdepth: 1 :hidden: prereqs install sdk_chaincode
The Fabric application stack has five layers:
- :doc:`Prerequisite software <prereqs>`: the base layer needed to run the software, for example, Docker.
- :doc:`Fabric and Fabric samples <install>`: the Fabric executables to run a Fabric network along with sample code.
- :doc:`Contract APIs <sdk_chaincode>`: to develop smart contracts executed on a Fabric Network.
- :doc:`Application APIs <sdk_chaincode>`: to develop your blockchain application.
- The Application: your blockchain application will utilize the Application SDKs to call smart contracts running on a Fabric network.
For a quick local setup, start with :doc:`Fabric and Fabric samples <install>`, which includes the install-fabric.sh script for downloading Fabric binaries, container images, and the samples repository. If you want to modify Fabric itself, continue afterwards with the :doc:`development environment <dev-setup/devenv>`.