> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.nuvolos.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.nuvolos.com/how-to-guides/workflows-for-students/understand-the-course-layout.md).

# Understand the course layout

<mark style="color:$primary;">**Outcome**</mark>\
You understand the difference between your personal Instance and the Distributed Instance, and where your work is saved.

<mark style="color:$primary;">**Before you start**</mark>

* You have at least one application running, or you have opened the Files view.

Every student in a course has a personal Instance - a private working environment that only you and your instructor can see. Course material that your instructor distributes flows into this instance through a special distribution channel:

**Master instance → Distributed instance → Your personal instance**

Three terms are worth knowing without going deeper:

* Your **Personal Instance** is where you work. Files you save, applications you start, and snapshots you take all live here.
  * You can edit files, run applications, and complete assignments here.
  * Your work does not affect other students.
  * Changes you make are only visible in your own instance.
* The **Distributed Instance** is the channel through which course materials reach you. You see distributed material as files in your personal Instance, not as a separate location.
* The **current state** is the live, mutable version of your personal instance. When you take a snapshot, you create an immutable copy of the current state at that moment.

For the full conceptual model of how these pieces fit together, see [Concepts › The hierarchy and resource model](/concepts/nuvolos-basic-concepts.md).