# Quickstart guide ## Quickstart guide TheShop is a headless API-first e-commerce platform that offers powerful and intuitive administration for managing multiple fronstores from one place. Don't bother with creating a custom backend. TheShop is a viable option for those who wish to avoid the hassle of dealing with the complexities of integrating multiple legacy platforms and third-party applications. ### **API-first** In TheShop, every model, including customized ones, has a comprehensive REST API layer to provide the same level of flexibility as building your own backend from scratch. See the [API documentation](https://wiki.theshop.dev/docs/frontstore/api/frontstore-api). ### **Independence** By having a customizable API surface that is not dependent on any particular programming language, you can easily adapt to new technologies, requirements, and business growth. ### Examples Take a look at our sample repositories to get an idea of what you can create using TheShop. For additional examples, visit our GitHub page. --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://wiki.theshop.dev/docs/getting-started/quickstart-guide.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.