# Setting up Scandi

ScandiPWA recommends developing applications locally. We have created two tools in order to make this process of installation smooth. They are as follows:

| Use...                                                                                          | ...if you need:           |
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------- |
| [`create-scandipwa-app`](https://docs.create-scandipwa-app.com/getting-started/getting-started) | A **ScandiPWA front-end** |
| [`create-magento-app`](https://docs.create-magento-app.com/getting-started/getting-started)     | A **Magento back-end**    |

It is possible to combine these setups to deploy ScandiPWA in multiple modes:

* [Storefront mode (CSA)](#storefront-mode-csa)
* [Magento theme mode (CSA + CMA)](#magento-theme-mode-csa-cma)

{% hint style="danger" %}
If you are **deploying ScandiPWA on a production server** or you would like to **develop on a remote server** (via SSH, for example), please follow the link below.
{% endhint %}

{% content-ref url="getting-started-1/magento-integration" %}
[magento-integration](https://docs.scandipwa.com/getting-started-1/magento-integration)
{% endcontent-ref %}

## **Storefront mode (CSA)**

In Standalone storefront mode - the **front-end is running on a small separate server** and uses a remote Magento 2 instance as the source for the data.

{% hint style="info" %}
In this mode, **you are not required to run Magento 2 locally** to develop.
{% endhint %}

When using this mode it is enough to have a ScandiPWA theme powered by **CSA (Create ScandiPWA App)** to compile it. As a data source, you can use any existing [properly configured](https://docs.scandipwa.com/storefront-mode#configuring-the-magento-server) Magento 2 instance or create a ready Magento 2 instance using [RMG (ReadyMage)](https://readymage.com).

{% content-ref url="getting-started-1/storefront-mode" %}
[storefront-mode](https://docs.scandipwa.com/getting-started-1/storefront-mode)
{% endcontent-ref %}

## Magento theme mode (CSA + CMA)

In Magento 2 theme mode - the front-end is statically compiled and **served by Magento 2 server**. In this case, data comes directly from the same server the application is hosted on.

{% hint style="info" %}
In this mode, **you are required to run Magento 2 locally** to develop.
{% endhint %}

When developing a Magento 2 theme, the local installation of Magento 2 is required. In order to simplify the local Magento 2 installation, we created **CMA (Create Magento App)** toolchain, with a goal to start a Magento 2 instance with a single command. The **CSA (Create ScandiPWA App)** toolchain will still be used to compile a theme.

{% content-ref url="getting-started-1/magento-theme-mode" %}
[magento-theme-mode](https://docs.scandipwa.com/getting-started-1/magento-theme-mode)
{% endcontent-ref %}


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