# Getting started

In order to use **semantic-release** you must follow these steps:

1. Configure **semantic-release** [options and plugins](/usage/configuration)
2. Configure your Continuous Integration service by following [CI configuration](/usage/ci-configuration)
   - Choose the guide for your CI service in [Choose your CI service](/usage/ci-configuration#choose-your-ci-service)
   - Ensure **semantic-release** runs only after all tests succeed in [Run semantic-release only after all tests succeeded](/usage/ci-configuration#run-semantic-release-only-after-all-tests-succeeded)
   - Configure Git and package manager authentication in [Authentication](/usage/ci-configuration#authentication)
3. [Run **semantic-release**](/usage/running) in your CI pipeline