# Getting started with the Amazon DCV Extension SDK
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The Amazon DCV Extension SDK uses Protocol Buffers (protobuf), an open-source data format designed to serialize structured data in a compact, binary form. By using Protocol Buffers, Amazon DCV components and extensions can communicate with one another in a way that is platform-independent and extensible, regardless of the selected programming language.

 The definitions of the messages are contained in the file `extensions.proto`. 

**To get started with the Amazon DCV Extension SDK**

1. Get familiar with Protocol Buffers ([protobuf](https://protobuf.dev))

1. Review the code samples available at [https://github.com/aws-samples/dcv-extension-sdk-samples](https://github.com/aws-samples/dcv-extension-sdk-samples) 

1. Download the protocol definition file `extensions.proto` from the Github repository at [https://github.com/aws-samples/dcv-extension-sdk](https://github.com/aws-samples/dcv-extension-sdk)

**Topics**
+ [Extension architecture](extension-architecture.md)
+ [Installing and registering the extension](install-register-extension.md)
+ [Permissions](permissions.md)
+ [Protocol and framing](protocol-framing.md)