# Getting started
Source: [https://docs.qualcomm.com/doc/80-70014-51/topic/install-sdk.html](https://docs.qualcomm.com/doc/80-70014-51/topic/install-sdk.html)
This information explains how to get started with developing your software using the
QIMP SDK.
This video enables you to understand and use Qualcomm IM SDK for creating applications on
Qualcomm Linux.
Note: The following steps are not applicable if your RB3 Gen 2 device is already updated to
the latest software and the host has been configured.
Before you begin:
1. Set up your infrastructure as described in the [Qualcomm Linux Build Guide](https://docs.qualcomm.com/bundle/publicresource/topics/80-70014-254). This guide
also provides information about the common build workflows.
2. Upgrade your Qualcomm^®^ RB3 Gen 2 development kit as described in
[Set up the Ubuntu host](https://docs.qualcomm.com/bundle/publicresource/topics/80-70014-253/ubuntu_host.html).
## Download eSDK
After upgrading the RB3 Gen 2 development kit to the latest software, download the
corresponding [eSDK](https://wiki.yoctoproject.org/wiki/Extensible_SDK#:~:text=The%20Yocto%20Project%20Extensible%20SDK,changes%20on%20the%20target%20hardware.).
**Prerequisites**
- A Ubuntu 22.04 host machine with at least 100 GB of free space. See [Qualcomm Linux Virtual Machine Setup
Guide](https://docs.qualcomm.com/bundle/publicresource/topics/80-70014-41/) to set up the virtual machine (VM) running Ubuntu 22.04 OS
on a Microsoft Windows or an Apple^®^ Mac^®^.
- `sudo` permission to execute commands.
**Procedure**
1. Download the eSDK.
1. Make
directory:
mkdir Copy to clipboard
2. Change directory:
cd Copy to clipboard
3. Download the zipped file:
- For Ubuntu x86 architecture-based host
machines:
wget https://artifacts.codelinaro.org/artifactory/qli-ci/flashable-binaries/qimpsdk/qcm6490/x86/qcom-6.6.28-QLI.1.1-Ver.1.1_qim-product-sdk-1.1.3.zipCopy to clipboard
- For Arm architecture-based host
machines:
wget https://artifacts.codelinaro.org/artifactory/qli-ci/flashable-binaries/qimpsdk/qcm6490/arm/qcom-6.6.28-QLI.1.1-Ver.1.1_qim-product-sdk-1.1.3.zipCopy to clipboard
4. Unzip the QIMP SDK to a folder of your
choice:
unzip qcom-6.6.28-QLI.1.1-Ver.1.1_qim-product-sdk-1.1.3.zipCopy to clipboard
5. After unzipping, ensure that the eSDK installer is located at
<unzip\_location>/target/qcm6490/sdk/
6. If you do not have the necessary write permissions for the directory
where you are trying to install the eSDK, the installer alerts you
and then terminates. In such a scenario, set up the permissions in
the directory appropriately by using the following command and rerun
the installer:
umask a+rxCopy to clipboard
2. Run the installer script to install the eSDK.
For example:
sh ./qcom-wayland-x86_64-qcom-multimedia-image-armv8-2a-qcm6490-toolchain-ext-1.0.shCopy to clipboard
3. Follow the instructions on the console to install the eSDK in a convenient
location of your host PC.
4. Ensure that the eSDK installation is successful.
After installation, the
QIMP SDK layers are included in the installation under
`/layers`.
Note:
Advanced developers can still build their own eSDK by following the
steps mentioned in [Advanced
procedure](https://docs.qualcomm.com/doc/80-70014-51/topic/advanced-procedure.html).
5. Run the following command to set the `ESDK_ROOT`
variable:
export ESDK_ROOT=Copy to clipboard
For
example, `export
ESDK_ROOT=/local/mnt/workspace/Platform_eSDK_plus_QIM`
The QIMP SDK installation is now complete. Next, you can develop an application using
the SDK, see [Develop your first application](https://docs.qualcomm.com/doc/80-70014-51/topic/content-develop-your-first-application.html).
Last Published: Nov 05, 2025
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