> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.holium.com/ballot/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.holium.com/ballot/custom-actions/getting-started.md).

# Getting Started

Before working with custom action, you'll want to ensure your development environment is setup properly.

[Install or Upgrade to Urbit 1.9](https://urbit.org/getting-started/cli) - This latest version runs on Urbit v1.9. Ensure you are running Urbit v1.9 for the best experience.

**Note**: If you are upgrading to 1.9 and already have Ballot install, please take a look at this guide for helpful information regarding upgrades: [Upgrade Instructions](https://groups.google.com/a/urbit.org/g/dev/c/VcU_ocCcdjc/m/UBcifZ2vAQAJ?pli=1)

Install Ballot v0.0.5 by typing in \~livdel-binmun-lomder-librun/ballot in your app search - Custom action features and support was added to Ballot in version 0.0.5.

If you run into issues installing and/or upgrading Ballot, please join the Holium group located here:

\~lomder-librun/realm-forerunners

Here you'll find channels where you can file bugs, request additional features, and/or ask for general help.


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.holium.com/ballot/custom-actions/getting-started.md?ask=<question>&goal=<endgoal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal.

The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.