---
title: Quickstart
description: Choose the shortest path to a working Flagpole service or a typed Drift store.
url: https://pr-15-c0fdf0ef9f59.thally.app/quickstart
---

# Quickstart

Choose the shortest path to a working Flagpole service or a typed Drift store.

You can reach a useful result with either Polaris product in a few minutes.
Choose the product that matches where the state must live.

#### [Control a release with Flagpole](/flagpole/quickstart)

    Start the API, create `new-checkout`, and evaluate the flag over HTTP.

#### [Cache data with Drift](/drift/quickstart)

    Install `driftkv`, create a typed TTL cache, and verify expiry behavior.

## Compare the operating model

| | Flagpole | Drift |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Integration | HTTP JSON API | ESM npm package |
| Runtime | Node.js 20 or later | Node.js 18 or later |
| State | In memory or one JSON file | In process, optionally one JSON file |
| Best first use | Release switch shared by services | Bounded cache inside one service |
| Authentication | Optional bearer token on `/v1` | None; it runs inside your process |

If your service consumes Flagpole on a hot path, continue with
[Cache Flagpole evaluations with Drift](/guides/flagpole-with-drift) after both
quickstarts.