# Getting started

## Overview

The[ Imaging Data Commons Portal ](https://portal.imaging.datacommons.cancer.gov/)provides a web-based interactive interface to browse the data hosted by IDC, visualize images, build manifests describing selected cohorts, and download images defined by the manifests.

The slides below give a quick guided overview of how you can use IDC Portal.

{% hint style="success" %}
**No login is required to use the portal, to visualize images, or to download data from IDC!**
{% endhint %}

{% embed url="<https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/14VyQMaOs0RugFmCSLe1q2kbMd_bmNXRtWnN5_osmaMM/edit?usp=sharing>" %}


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# Agent Instructions: 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:

```
GET https://learn.canceridc.dev/portal/getting-started.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
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.