docs: improve getting started and README documentation

README.md

@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ for contribution guidelines.
 Click [here](https://polaris.apache.org/in-dev/unreleased/) for a quick overview of Polaris.
 
 ## Quickstart
-Click [here](https://polaris.apache.org/in-dev/unreleased/getting-started/quick-start/) for the quickstart experience.
+Click [here](https://polaris.apache.org/in-dev/unreleased/getting-started/) for the quickstart experience, which will help you set up a Polaris instance locally or on any supported cloud provider.
 
 ## Project Structure
 

site/content/in-dev/unreleased/getting-started/_index.md

@@ -23,22 +23,83 @@ type: docs
 weight: 101
 ---
 
-There are several options for getting started with Apache Polaris.
+This guide will help you get started with Apache Polaris using the binary distribution, which is the fastest way to set up a Polaris server.
 
-To quickly try out Apache Polaris, please use the [quickstart guide](./quick-start). For other examples, please see below.
+## Prerequisites
 
-## Docker Compose Examples
-Each of the proceeding Docker Compose examples provides a complete working environment with detailed instructions.
+Before you begin, ensure you have the following:
 
-### Next Steps
+- Java SE 21 or higher installed
+- Verify Java installation:
 
-1. Check & install dependencies
-2. Choose the way you want to deploy Polaris
-3. Create a catalog
-4. Check Using Polaris page
+```bash
+java -version
+```
 
-### Getting Help
+## Step 1: Download and Extract the Binary Distribution
 
-- Documentation: https://polaris.apache.org
-- GitHub Issues: https://github.com/apache/polaris/issues
-- Slack: [Join Apache Polaris Community](https://join.slack.com/t/apache-polaris/shared_invite/zt-2y3l3r0fr-VtoW42ltir~nSzCYOrQgfw)
+1. Visit the [Apache Polaris downloads page](https://polaris.apache.org/downloads/).
+
+2. Download the latest binary distribution (tar.gz file) and extract it to your desired directory:
+
+```bash
+tar -xzf apache-polaris-1.0.0-incubating-bin.tar.gz
+```
+
+## Step 2: Configure Polaris
+
+Navigate to the extracted directory:
+
+```bash
+cd apache-polaris-1.0.0-incubating-bin
+```
+
+Configure Polaris using environment variables or system properties. For example:
+
+```bash
+export POLARIS_JAVA_OPTS="-Dquarkus.http.port=8080"
+export POLARIS_JAVA_OPTS="-Dpolaris.persistence.type=relational-jdbc"
+export POLARIS_JAVA_OPTS="-Xms512m -Xmx1g -Dquarkus.http.port=8080"
+```
+
+## Step 3: Start Polaris Server
+
+Start the Polaris server:
+
+```bash
+bin/server
+```
+
+You should see output indicating that Polaris is starting up. When ready, you'll see messages similar to:
+
+```
+INFO  [io.quarkus] Apache Polaris Server (incubating) started in X.XXXs. Listening on: http://0.0.0.0:8181. Management interface listening on http://0.0.0.0:8182.
+```
+
+## Step 4: Verify the Installation
+
+Verify that Polaris is running by checking the health endpoint:
+
+```bash
+curl http://localhost:8182/q/health
+```
+
+You should receive a response indicating the server is healthy.
+
+## Step 5: Stop Polaris Server
+
+To stop the Polaris server, press `Ctrl+C` in the terminal where it's running.
+
+## Admin Tool
+
+The binary distribution includes an admin tool for administrative and maintenance tasks:
+
+```bash
+bin/admin --help
+bin/admin bootstrap -h
+bin/admin purge -h
+```
+
+## Next Steps
+
+For instructions on building and running Polaris from source code, see the [Quickstart]({{% relref "quickstart" %}}) guide.