3.3.2. Starting Open edX Devstack¶

This section describes how to start the components in the Open edX developer stack (devstack). To do this, you must connect to the devstack virtual machine, and then start each component.

Connecting to the Devstack Virtual Machine
Starting the Components

3.3.2.1. Connecting to the Devstack Virtual Machine ¶

To connect to the devstack virtual machine, use the following SSH command from the devstack directory.
```
vagrant ssh
```
To connect as the edxapp user, run the following command.
```
sudo su edxapp
```
This command loads the edxapp environment from the file /edx/app/edxapp/edxapp_env. This puts venv python in your search path.

This command also sets the current working directory to the edx-platform repository (/edx/app/edxapp/edx-platform).

3.3.2.2. Starting the Components ¶

After you connect to the devstack virtual machine as the edxapp user, you can start the individual components.

3.3.2.2.1. Starting the LMS¶

When you run the LMS on devstack, the command updates requirements and compiles assets, unless you use the fast option.

The command uses the file lms/envs/devstack.py. This file overrides production settings for the LMS.

To run the LMS on devstack, follow these steps.

Connect to the Devstack virtual machine.
Run the following command.
```
paver devstack lms
```
Or, to start the LMS without updating requirements and compiling assets, use the fast option.
```
paver devstack lms --fast
```
The LMS starts.
Open the LMS in your browser at http://localhost:8000/.

Vagrant forwards port 8000 to the LMS server running in the virtual machine.

3.3.2.2.2. Starting Studio¶

When you run Studio on devstack, the command updates requirements and compiles assets, unless you use the fast option.

You run Studio on devstack with the file cms/envs/devstack.py. This file overrides production settings for Studio.

To run Studio on devstack, follow these steps.

Connect to the Devstack virtual machine.
Run the following command.
```
paver devstack studio
```
Or, to start Studio without updating requirements and compiling assets, use the fast option.
```
paver devstack studio --fast
```
Studio starts.
Open Studio in your browser at http://localhost:8001/.

Vagrant forwards port 8001 to the Studio server running in the virtual machine.

3.3.2.2.2.1. Viewing Available Studio Commands¶

To view all available commands for Studio, enter the following command.

./manage.py cms -h --settings=devstack

3.3.2.2.3. Starting Course Discussions¶

To run course discussions on devstack, follow these steps.

Connect to the Devstack virtual machine.
Switch to the discussion forum account by entering the following command.
```
sudo su forum
```
Update Ruby requirements.
```
bundle install
```
Note

If you get a message for entering a password to install the bundled RubyGems to the system, you can safely exit by entering control+c on a Mac or Ctrl+C on Windows. The RubyGems will still be installed correctly for the forum user.
Start the discussion forums server.
```
ruby app.rb -p 18080
```

The discussions forum server starts. You can access the discussion forums API at http://localhost:18080/.