Software Developer Onboarding Guide

Project: Sitecore + Next.js Platform
Audience: New Software Developers

Welcome to the team! 🎉
This guide will help you set up your development environment, understand key contacts, and learn how to perform essential tasks during your onboarding.

1. Who’s Who (Key Contacts)

Below are the key people you may interact with during your work.

Role Responsibility Contact
Project Manager Project planning, delivery timelines
Technical Architect Solution design, architecture decisions
Sitecore Lead Sitecore development guidance
Frontend Lead Next.js and UI development
DevOps Engineer Deployment, CI/CD, infrastructure
QA Lead Testing strategy and test coordination
HR / Operations Timesheets, ID card, employee queries
IT Support Access to tools, hardware, accounts

 

Tip: If you're unsure whom to contact, reach out to your Team Lead first.

2. Required Software & Tools

Before starting development, ensure you have access to the following tools:

Development Tools

  • Visual Studio / VS Code

  • Node.js (LTS)

  • Git

  • Docker (if required for Sitecore local setup)

Platforms

  • Sitecore

  • Vercel

  • Git Repository (GitHub / Azure DevOps / Bitbucket)

  • Jira / Azure DevOps (for task tracking)

  • Slack / Microsoft Teams (communication)

  • Timesheet Tool (internal portal)

If you do not have access, follow the Software Access Request process described below.

3. Requesting Software Access

To get access to required systems:

Step 1

Login to the IT Service Portal

Step 2

Create a New Access Request Ticket

Step 3

Mention the software/tools required:
Example:

  • Git Repository Access

  • Sitecore Access

  • Vercel Access

  • Jira / Azure DevOps

  • Slack / Teams

  • Email Distribution Lists

Step 4

Select the project name and manager approval.

Step 5

Submit the request and track the ticket status.

Tip: Access requests usually take 1–2 business days.

4. How to Clone the Repository

Once you receive Git access, follow these steps.

Step 1: Install Git

Download from
https://git-scm.com

Step 2: Configure Git

git config --global user.name "Your Name"
git config --global user.email "your.email@company.com"

Step 3: Clone the Repository

Example:

git clone https://github.com/organization/project-name.git

Step 4: Navigate to Project

cd project-name

Step 5: Install Dependencies

For Next.js project

npm install

or

yarn install

Step 6: Run Development Server

npm run dev

The application will typically run at:

http://localhost:3000

5. Sitecore Development Setup

Depending on the project, Sitecore may run:

Option 1 — Local Sitecore Environment

Using:

  • Docker

  • Sitecore CLI

  • Local SQL Server

Option 2 — Remote Development Environment

You will receive:

  • Sitecore URL

  • Login credentials

  • Access to Content Editor / Experience Editor

Example:

https://dev.sitecore.company.com/sitecore

6. Development Workflow

The typical workflow is:

  1. Pick a task from Jira / Azure DevOps

  2. Create a feature branch

Example

git checkout -b feature/TASK-123-add-header-component

  1. Implement the changes

  2. Test locally

  3. Commit code

git commit -m "TASK-123 Added header component"

  1. Push the branch

git push origin feature/TASK-123-add-header-component

  1. Create a Pull Request

  2. Request Code Review

  3. Merge after approval

7. How to Submit Timesheet

Timesheets must be submitted weekly.

Steps

  1. Login to the Timesheet Portal

  2. Select the Project Name

  3. Enter hours worked per day

  4. Map hours to task / Jira ticket

  5. Submit before the weekly deadline

Typical breakdown:

 

Day Hours
Monday 8
Tuesday 8
Wednesday 8
Thursday 8
Friday 8

 

Manager approval is required after submission.

8. How to Request an ID Card

If you have not received your ID card:

Step 1

Login to HR Portal

Step 2

Submit ID Card Request

Provide:

  • Employee ID

  • Department

  • Office Location

  • Passport-size photo (if required)

Step 3

Track the request status.

Typical processing time: 3–5 working days.

9. How to Raise a Support Ticket

For technical issues or access problems:

Use the IT Support Portal

Steps:

  1. Go to Service Desk Portal

  2. Click Create Ticket

  3. Select issue category:

    • Access Issue

    • Software Installation

    • VPN Issue

    • Hardware Issue

  4. Provide details:

    • Issue description

    • Screenshot

    • System details

Example description:

Unable to access Git repository for Project X. Receiving permission denied error.

You will receive a ticket number for tracking.

10. Communication Channels

Team communication happens through:

Tool Purpose
Slack / Teams Daily communication
Jira / Azure DevOps Task tracking
Email Official communication
Confluence / Wiki Documentation

 

11. Best Practices

âś” Follow coding standards
âś” Write meaningful commit messages
âś” Always create Pull Requests
âś” Test before pushing code
âś” Update tasks regularly in Jira

12. First Week Checklist

Complete the following during your first week:

  • Setup development environment

  • Clone repository

  • Run project locally

  • Get access to Sitecore instance

  • Get access to Git / Jira / Communication tools

  • Submit first timesheet

  • Join team communication channels

If you face any issues during onboarding, reach out to your Team Lead or IT Support.

Welcome aboard and happy coding! 🚀