> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.geosamples.org/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.geosamples.org/readme.md).

# Welcome to SESAR documentation

SESAR is a community platform for managing and archiving metadata about scientific material samples, and for finding information about samples around the world.

This site is the practical half: how to register samples, what every metadata field means, which terms are allowed in which field, and how to do all of it programmatically. For who we are, how we're funded, and what we're for, see [geosamples.org](https://www.geosamples.org).

### New here?

**Register your first sample** — the ten-minute version, start to finish.

### Know what you need?

| Section                             | What's in it                                         |
| ----------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------- |
| **For Researchers**                 | Register, manage, and cite your samples.             |
| **For Institutions & Repositories** | Onboard a collection and map your metadata.          |
| **Metadata Schema**                 | Every field, what it means, what's required.         |
| **Vocabularies**                    | Controlled term lists, and how to request additions. |
| **API**                             | Register and retrieve metadata programmatically.     |

### Not sure?

**Find your path** sorts you by what you're trying to do.


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