Create developeronboarding

Author: CarolineDenis

sphinx/dev_process/developeronboarding

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+# Developer Onboarding – Specify Software
+Welcome to the Specify development team! This onboarding guide is designed to help you get up to speed with our tools, processes, and expectations. Please follow each step carefully and reach out to your manager if you have any questions.
+
+### ✅ Required Reading
+
+Before writing a single line of code, carefully read and understand the following documentation:
+
+Development Process
+- 📖 (Specify Processes)[https://specify.github.io/dev_process/specify_processes.html]
+Developer Expectations
+- 📖 (Developer Expectations)[https://specify.github.io/dev_process/dev_expectations.html]
+
+### 💬 Discourse Forum Participation
+
+- Go to (Specify Discourse Forum)[https://discourse.specifysoftware.org]
+- Follow the available tutorial
+- Review existing posts and follow any relevant categories
+- Use the forum tools directly in the app as you learn
+
+### 📚 Explore the Documentation Portal
+
+Spend time reviewing (Specify.io)[https://specify.github.io] to understand the types of resources available. Focus areas include:
+- GUIDELINES
+- INTERNAL PROCESSES
+- TESTING
+- SPECIFY SOFTWARE
+- DEVELOPER UTILS
+
+### 🧠 Local Installation
+
+You are expected to install and run the following locally:
+- Docker Desktop
+- DBeaver
+- Specify 7 (SP7)
+- Specify 6 (SP6)
+- Specify Wizard
+Instructions can be found on https://specify.github.io, or on Discourse, or on GitHub. 
+
+### 🐞 Backend Debugger Setup
+
+Follow this guide to set up the backend debugger in VS Code:
+- 📖 (Setup backend debugger)[https://specify.github.io/developer_utils/setting_up_backend_debugger.html]
+Make sure it is working correctly—this is essential for debugging and testing backend changes.
+
+### 🔑 Test Panel Access
+
+To work with the test panel:
+- Follow the steps outlined in the (debugger setup guide)[https://specify.github.io/server_management/specify_ssh_docker_guide.html]
+- Contact the relevant team members to generate the necessary API keys and credentials
+- Create a new instance and test it
+- Download a database
+- Upload a database
+- Make yourself aware of the naming conventions we use
+
+### 🧪 User Testing Requirement
+
+For your first two weeks, dedicate 3 hours per day to using the Specify application as a user. The goal is to:
+- Learn user workflows
+- Understand common pain points
+- Explore different modules and features hands-on
+
+➡️ Important: For each tool or component you explore, write down any questions or uncertainties you encounter. These will be discussed during your daily manager meeting. Your manager will either answer them directly or direct you to the appropriate team member.
+
+### 🔍 Testing Tasks
+
+You will also gain familiarity with our testing practices by:
+
+- Reviewing and testing 4–5 pull requests (PRs) assigned by your manager. These PRs will include testing instructions to help you understand how features are validated.
+- Going through the general testing checklist at the end of the second week for an item or row selected by your manager.
+
+### 🗓️ Daily Check-Ins
+
+You are expected to meet daily with your manager to:
+- Review tasks for the following day
+- Share feedback on how your current day went
+- Ask any questions or raise blockers early