System Design Primer is a curated, open source collection of resources that helps engineers learn how to design large-scale systems. The project is structured as a comprehensive guide covering core system design concepts, trade-offs, and patterns necessary for building scalable, reliable, and maintainable systems. It offers both theoretical foundations—such as scalability principles, the CAP theorem, and consistency models—and practical exercises, including real-world system design interview questions with sample solutions, diagrams, and code. The repository also contains study guides for short, medium, and long interview timelines, allowing learners to focus on both breadth and depth depending on their preparation needs. In addition, it includes flashcard decks designed to reinforce learning through spaced repetition, making it easier to retain key system design knowledge.
Features
- Organized guide for large-scale system design learning
- Covers interview prep with example questions and solutions
- Includes diagrams, exercises, and discussion resources
- Provides Anki flashcards for spaced-repetition learning
- Multilingual documentation for global accessibility
- Actively updated and supported by community contributions
Project Samples
