# Discover How the Arc XP Platform Works

Source: https://dev.arcxp.com/tutorials/getting-started/introduction-to-arc-xp/

Explore how the Arc XP platform works—build, integrate, and customize powerful digital experiences with robust APIs and developer tools.

Purpose 

Learn about Arc XP and how it works

Audience 

Developers interested in using the Arc XP platform

Arc XP is the content platform and operating system for ambitious media companies with the heart to compete and win.

The Arc XP platform is built on AWS backend services and leverages [Akamai's Content Delivery Network](https://www.akamai.com/) (CDN). This introduction presents key information about Arc XP’s architecture, core features, and functionalities.

> **Tips:**
> 
> - To discover if Arc XP suits your business needs and strategy, visit [ArcXP.com](https://www.arcxp.com/)
> - To test Arc XP’s core functionalities on your local machine, visit [Setting Up Your Dev Playground](https://dev.arcxp.com/tutorials/quick-start/set-up-your-dev-playground)
> - To see non-developer product documentation, visit [Arc Learning Center](https://docs.arcxp.com/)

## High-Level Architecture

**Figure 1** shows a high-level architecture diagram of the Arc XP platform. Arc XP relies on microservices or components running on AWS infrastructure and uses server-side rendering.

![Arc XP Platform Architecture](https://dev.arcxp.com/images/tutorials/ArcXPHighLevelArchitecture.png) 

 Figure 1\. Arc XP Platform Architecture

The Arc XP team handles the AWS infrastructure and provides customers with a Graphical User Interface (GUI) to manage key components. Customers also get access to the components’ APIs for development using the [React](https://react.dev/) framework.

Arc XP offers role-based access control with Okta authentication for enhanced security. Administrators grant different access levels to different roles:

- Customer Support Representatives (CSR)
- Authors
- Editors

## Core Components

The Arc XP platform relies on microservices or components grouped according to features and functionalities. The following sections provide an overview of each component and its key features.

Content ManagementContent Management components control the creation, processing, and storage of articles and media assets within the Arc XP platform.

Composer 

Central authoring tool for creating and editing content. Composer enables authors to write stories, add internal memo notes, and keep a content revision history.

See more features
- Flexible content types supporting articles, images, videos, and galleries
- Rich text editing with customizable templates
- Media asset management with automatic optimization
  
[See Composer documentation](https://dev.arcxp.com/composer/developer-docs/how-fields-in-the-composer-ui-map-to-ans)

Photo Center 

Image management and optimization tool. Photo Center enables authors, photographers, and illustrators to upload, edit, organize, optimize, and reuse images across stories and galleries.
  
[See Photo Center documentation](https://dev.arcxp.com/photo-center/developer-docs/how-to-upload-an-image-using-photo-api)

Video Center 

Video content management and streaming tool. Video Center enables authors to upload videos, create live streams, and playlists, and monitor video engagement with real-time analytics.
  
[See Video Center documentation](https://docs.arcxp.com/en/products/video-center/getting-started-with-video-center.html)

WebSked 

Content planning and distribution workflow tool. WebSked enables editors to plan and schedule content distribution, create tasks, and send email and Slack notifications to authors.
  
[See WebSked documentation](https://dev.arcxp.com/websked/developer-docs/websked-machine-readable-events)

Frontend Rendering and DevelopmentFrontend Rendering and Development components provide users and developers with tools to customize their Arc XP experience.

PageBuilder Engine 

Core rendering technology with component-based architecture using React. PageBuilder Engine enables developers to integrate and deploy custom content blocks through bundles.
  
[See PageBuilder Engine documentation](https://dev.arcxp.com/pagebuilder-engine/developer-docs/how-does-rendering-work-in-pagebuilder-engine)

PageBuilder Editor 

Visual interface for creating and managing pages. PageBuilder Editor enables editors to drag and drop components and select content sources to create pages.
  
[See PageBuilder Editor documentation](https://dev.arcxp.com/pagebuilder-editor/developer-docs/syncing-pagebuilder-data-across-environments)

Mobile SDKs 

Native app development tools for iOS and Android. Our Mobile SDKs are open to the Arc XP community and are at the core of our Open Source Initiative.
  
[See Mobile SDKs documentation](https://dev.arcxp.com/mobile/developer-docs/arc-xp-mobile-documentation-index)

Themes 

Framework for building and customizing websites. Themes enables editors to change the styling and layouts of Arc XP’s Out-of-the-Box content blocks.
  
[See Themes documentation](https://dev.arcxp.com/themes/developer-docs/introduction-to-themes-20-design-system-developer-guide)

Content DistributionContent Distribution components control how Arc XP content reaches final users.

Content API 

Primary interface for accessing reader-facing content. Content API offers content filtering and metadata for embedded media in stories.
  
[See Content API documentation](https://dev.arcxp.com/api/public-content-retrieval/content-api/)

View API 

Headless interface for accessing reader-facing content. View API is a high-performance and read-only API to deliver content to web and mobile platforms when speed is a priority.
  
[See View API documentation](https://dev.arcxp.com/api/view-api/)

Web Delivery 

CDN integration and content delivery optimization. Akamai’s global CDN ensures scalable content availability and speed to serve all your users.

See more features
- Intelligent caching system
- Edge computing capabilities
- SEO optimization features
  
[See Web Delivery documentation](https://dev.arcxp.com/web-delivery/developer-docs/real-user-monitoring-beacons-and-maintaining-regulatory-compliance)

Analytics and Optimization 

Custom analytics reporting tools. Arc XP supports A/B testing capabilities, content testing with Bandito, and personal recommendations via Clavis.
  
[See Analytics and Optimization documentation](https://dev.arcxp.com/arc-intelligence/developer-docs/developer-guide-to-bandito)

Account ManagementAccount Management components control final user subscriptions, access, and monetization.

Subscriptions 

User identity, access management, and monetization. Subscriptions enables customer support representatives to manage user accounts and sales representatives to create digital products that generate revenue.
  
[See Subscriptions documentation](https://dev.arcxp.com/subscriptions/sales/learn/what-is-a-subscription)

Identity Services 

Authentication and authorization. Identity services enable administrators to manage and monitor access to the Arc XP platform. Arc XP leverages Okta authentication for enhanced security.
  
[See Identity Services documentation](https://dev.arcxp.com/subscriptions/identity)

## Get Started with Arc XP

The full-featured Arc XP platform is only available to signed customers, but any developer can try the [Arc Fusion CLI](https://www.npmjs.com/package/@arc-fusion/cli?activeTab=readme) for free. The Arc Fusion CLI includes a local server for PageBuilder Engine and PageBuilder Editor. The Arc Fusion CLI enables developers to test Arc XP’s core functionalities and develop custom content blocks.

[ Setting Up Your Dev Playground ](https://dev.arcxp.com/tutorials/quick-start/set-up-your-dev-playground) 

### Becoming an Arc XP Customer

When you become our customer, Arc XP provides a dedicated Arc XP instance to which you can link your GitHub repository.

To start creating, publishing, and developing in the Arc XP platform, take the following steps:

1. **Get access and permissions to your Arc XP instance**

  - Obtain necessary access credentials through [Arc XP Customer Support](https://support.arcpublishing.com/).
  - Review role-based permissions.
  - Create developer tokens to access Arc XP’s APIs.
2. **Configure a development environment**

  - Configure your local development setup.
  - Install required SDKs and tools.
  - Set up API and SDK access tokens.
3. **Explore the Arc XP User Interface**

  - Explore dedicated sections for core components.
  - Understand the relationship between components.
  - Review available documentation and resources.

## Next Steps

Once you get familiar with the Arc XP platform, you can:

- Explore detailed component documentation.
- Review how-to guides for specific tasks.