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# Play Requirements

A Play application only needs to include the Play JAR files to run properly. These JAR files are published to the Maven Repository so you can use any Java or Scala build tool to build a Play project. However, Play provides an enhanced development experience (support for routes, templates compilation and auto-reloading) when using the sbt or Gradle build tools.

Play requires:

1. Java SE 1.8 or higher
1. A build tool. Choose from:
    1. [sbt](#Verifying-and-installing-sbt) - we recommend the latest version
    1. [Gradle](#Verifying-and-installing-Gradle) - we recommend the latest version

## Verifying and installing Java

To check that you have Java SE 1.8 or higher, enter the following in a terminal:

```bash
java -version
```

You should see something like:

```
java version "1.8.0_121"
Java(TM) SE Runtime Environment (build 1.8.0_121-b13)
Java HotSpot(TM) 64-Bit Server VM (build 25.121-b13, mixed mode)
```

You can obtain Java SE from [Oracle’s JDK Site](https://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/downloads/index.html). 

## Verifying and installing sbt

Play example projects available from [Lightbend Tech Hub](https://developer.lightbend.com/start/?group=play) automatically download dependencies and have `./sbt` and `sbt.bat` launchers for Unix and Windows environments, respectively. You do not have to install sbt to run them.

If you want to use sbt to create a new project, you need to [install the sbt launcher](https://www.scala-sbt.org/download.html) on your system. With sbt installed, you can use our [giter8](http://www.foundweekends.org/giter8/) template for Java or Scala to create your own project with a single command, using `sbt new`. Find the links on the [sbt download page](https://www.scala-sbt.org/download.html) to install the sbt launcher on your system and refer to the [sbt documentation for details about how to set it up](https://www.scala-sbt.org/release/docs/Setup-Notes.html).

## Verifying and installing Gradle

Play example projects available from [Lightbend Tech Hub](https://developer.lightbend.com/start/?group=play) automatically download dependencies and have `./gradlew` or `gradlew.bat` launchers for Unix and Windows environments, respectively. You do not need to install Gradle to run them.

If you are ready to start your own project and want to use Gradle, refer to the [Gradle install page](https://gradle.org/install/) to install Gradle launcher on your system. If you run into problems after installing, check [Gradle's documentation for help](https://docs.gradle.org/4.6/userguide/troubleshooting.html#sec:troubleshooting_installation). We recommend that you use the latest version of Gradle.

## Congratulations!

You are now ready to work with Play! to learn about Play hands-on, try the examples as described on the next page. If you have [sbt installed](https://www.scala-sbt.org/1.x/docs/Setup.html), you can create a new Play  project with a [[single command|NewApplication]], using our giter8 Java or Scala template. The templates set up the project structure and dev environment for you. You can also easily integrate Play projects into your favorite [[IDE|IDE]].
