> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://developer.harness.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://developer.harness.io/continuous-delivery/troubleshooting-and-resources/resources/onboarding-guide.md).

# CD certification guide

Harness CD & GitOps is purpose built to automate deployment of your software artifacts, usually generated as output of a Continuous Integration (CI) process, to a target deployment infrastructure. This artifact can be a container image or a serverless function or a traditional monolithic application or a custom format specific to your company. Similarly, the deployment infrastructure can be a Kubernetes cluster, serverless function providers such as AWS Lambda or Google Cloud Functions or even Virtual Machines running on AWS, Google Cloud, Azure or Physical Data Center.

### Prerequisite: Complete Harness Platform onboarding <a href="#prerequisite-complete-harness-platform-onboarding" id="prerequisite-complete-harness-platform-onboarding"></a>

You should review and complete the following prerequisites.

* [Harness Platform onboarding guide](/harness-ai/new-to-harness-platform/get-started.md)
* [Harness Platform key concepts](/harness-ai/new-to-harness-platform/overview.md)

### Step 1. Review key CD concepts & supported integrations <a href="#step-1-review-key-cd-concepts-and-supported-integrations" id="step-1-review-key-cd-concepts-and-supported-integrations"></a>

* [Harness CD & GitOps key concepts](/continuous-delivery/new-to-continuous-delivery/overview.md#key-concepts)
* [Supported integrations](/continuous-delivery/new-to-continuous-delivery/cd-integrations.md)

### Step 2. Create your first CD pipeline <a href="#step-2-create-your-first-cd-pipeline" id="step-2-create-your-first-cd-pipeline"></a>

We recommend you use either the [Harness UI](/harness-ai/new-to-harness-platform/get-started/harness-ui-overview.md) or the [Harness CLI](/harness-ai/use-harness-platform/automation.md) for learning how to create pipelines as well as for creating your first pipeline. Additionally, you should use a Harness-provided sample app here so that you can see how the basic features work. The tutorials below are all based on a sample app. You will onboard your own app in the next step.

* [All CD & GitOps tutorials](/continuous-delivery/troubleshooting-and-resources/tutorials/cd-gitops-tutorials.md)
* [Kubernetes pipelines & GitOps workflows](/continuous-delivery/troubleshooting-and-resources/tutorials/kubernetes-container-deployments/manifest.md)
* [Serverless pipelines](/continuous-delivery/troubleshooting-and-resources/tutorials/aws-deployments/aws-lambda.md)
* [VM pipelines for traditional apps](/continuous-delivery/troubleshooting-and-resources/tutorials/aws-deployments/aws.md)
* [Amazon ECS pipelines](/continuous-delivery/troubleshooting-and-resources/tutorials/aws-deployments/amazon-ecs.md)
* [Automate pipeline execution through pipeline triggers](/harness-ai/use-harness-platform/triggers/tutorial-cd-trigger.md)

### Step 3. See advanced CD concepts in action <a href="#step-3-see-advanced-cd-concepts-in-action" id="step-3-see-advanced-cd-concepts-in-action"></a>

Now you are ready to learn advanced CD concepts through the following tutorials.

* [Templates](/harness-ai/use-harness-platform/templates/create-pipeline-template.md)
* [Notifications](/harness-ai/use-harness-platform/notifications-alerts-and-banners/notifications/notifications-overview.md)
* [Approvals](/harness-ai/use-harness-platform/approvals/approvals-tutorial.md)
* [Continuous Verification](/continuous-delivery/troubleshooting-and-resources/tutorials/kubernetes-container-deployments/prometheus.md)
* [Infrastructure Provisioning as part of CD pipeline](/continuous-delivery/troubleshooting-and-resources/tutorials/aws-deployments/cloudformation.md)
* [Variables & Expressions](/harness-ai/use-harness-platform/variables-and-expressions/harness-variables.md)

### Step 4. Automate onboarding for your own app <a href="#step-4-automate-onboarding-for-your-own-app" id="step-4-automate-onboarding-for-your-own-app"></a>

We recommend you either use Git Experience, Harness Terraform Provider or the Harness REST API for this step.

* [Git Experience](/harness-ai/use-harness-platform/git-experience/git-experience-overview.md)
* [Terraform Provider](/harness-ai/use-harness-platform/automation/terraform-provider/harness-terraform-provider-overview.md)
* [API](/harness-ai/use-harness-platform/automation/api/api-quickstart.md)

### Step 5. Add governance guardrails <a href="#step-5-add-governance-guardrails" id="step-5-add-governance-guardrails"></a>

* [Policy-as-Code](/harness-ai/use-harness-platform/governance/policy-as-code/harness-governance-overview.md)

### Step 6. Become a Harness Certified Expert <a href="#step-6-become-a-harness-certified-expert" id="step-6-become-a-harness-certified-expert"></a>

#### Developer Certification <a href="#developer-certification" id="developer-certification"></a>

This [certification](/continuous-delivery/readme.md) is the starting point for evaluating your understanding of Harness CD & GitOps concepts.

#### Administrator Certification <a href="#administrator-certification" id="administrator-certification"></a>

After completing the Developer Certification, you are now ready to test your skills as a Harness CD & GitOps Administrator through the [Administrator certification](/continuous-delivery/readme.md).

#### Architect Certification <a href="#architect-certification" id="architect-certification"></a>

After completing the Administrator Certification, you are now ready to test your skills as a Harness CD & GitOps Architect through the [Architect certification](/continuous-delivery/readme.md).