Once you've read about DevOps and become interested in the field, the next question is usually: "Where do I start?" There are hundreds of tools, courses and pieces of advice online, and that abundance can overwhelm a beginner. In this article we walk through, stage by stage and in the right order, the skills you need to become a DevOps engineer from scratch.
If you're not yet sure what DevOps actually is, we recommend starting with our article What Is DevOps and Who Is It For?.
Why does the order matter so much?
DevOps tools build on top of each other. Docker relies on Linux features, Kubernetes manages Docker containers, and CI/CD pipelines don't work without Git, scripts and containers. People who skip the fundamentals and jump straight into advanced tools usually memorize commands without understanding why things work. The gap shows up at the first real problem.
That's why following the stages below in order makes learning easier and helps you feel more confident in interviews and on the job.
Stage 1: Linux and the command line
Linux is the foundation of DevOps. The vast majority of servers, containers and cloud systems run on Linux. At this stage, learn:
- • The file system, directories and core commands (ls, cd, cp, mv, grep, find)
- • Users, groups and permissions
- • Processes and services (systemd)
- • Installing and managing packages
- • Reading logs and troubleshooting
- • Connecting to remote servers over SSH
To validate these skills internationally, Red Hat's RHCSA certification is a strong choice. The exam is entirely hands-on and well recognized by employers.
Stage 2: Networking basics
A DevOps engineer is often the one answering "why isn't the server responding?". To do that, you need to understand how networks work:
- • IP addresses, subnets and routing
- • How DNS works
- • HTTP and HTTPS, SSL certificates
- • Ports, firewalls and load balancers
Networking knowledge pays off directly later on, for example when you build virtual networks on cloud platforms.
Stage 3: Git and version control
In DevOps, everything is stored as code: the application itself, server configurations and CI/CD pipelines. Git is the standard tool for managing that code. Learn:
- • Repositories, commits, branches and merges
- • Working with GitHub or GitLab
- • Pull requests (merge requests) and team collaboration
Stage 4: Scripting with Bash and Python
Automation is the heart of DevOps, and automation starts with scripts. Use Bash to automate repetitive server tasks such as backups, log cleanup and service checks. For more complex tasks, working with APIs and processing data, Python is very useful. You don't need to become a full-time developer, but you should be comfortable with variables, conditions, loops and functions.
Stage 5: Docker and containers
Containers package an application with all its dependencies and make sure it runs the same way in any environment. This is exactly what solves the classic "it worked on my machine" problem. At this stage:
- • Docker images and containers
- • Writing a Dockerfile
- • Running multiple services together with Docker Compose
- • Container networking and volumes
Stage 6: CI/CD pipelines
CI/CD (Continuous Integration / Continuous Delivery) means automatically checking code changes and delivering them to servers. Learn to build a pipeline with one tool, such as Jenkins, GitLab CI or GitHub Actions: code is pushed, tests run, a Docker image is built and the application is deployed. This is where all your previous skills come together.
Stage 7: Cloud platforms
Most modern companies host their infrastructure on cloud platforms such as AWS, Microsoft Azure or Google Cloud. Learning one platform in depth is more valuable than skimming all of them. Focus on the core services: virtual servers, virtual networks, storage, and identity and access management (IAM).
Stage 8: Kubernetes, IaC and monitoring
In the final stage you move on to managing systems at a larger scale:
- • Kubernetes — automatically managing, scaling and recovering many containers
- • Terraform — writing cloud infrastructure as code
- • Ansible — automating server configuration
- • Prometheus and Grafana — monitoring and visualizing system health
Building experience: projects and a portfolio
You can't learn DevOps from theory alone. After each stage, build a small project and publish it on GitHub. For example:
- • Host a website on a Linux server with Nginx
- • Move a simple application into Docker
- • Set up automatic deployment with GitHub Actions
- • Create a cloud server with Terraform
Projects like these are the best answer to the interview question "what can you do?".
The most common mistakes
- • Skipping the fundamentals — trying to learn Kubernetes without knowing Linux and networking
- • Only watching videos — without practice, knowledge fades quickly
- • Trying to learn every tool — knowing one tool per category well is enough
- • Ignoring documentation — working with official docs is one of the key skills in DevOps
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an IT degree to learn DevOps?
No. A computer science degree can help, but it isn't required. What employers care about most are hands-on skills, projects and certifications.
What level is enough for a first job?
For a junior DevOps role, a solid foundation in Linux, networking, Git, scripting, Docker and CI/CD plus a few hands-on projects is usually enough. Kubernetes and cloud skills are a big advantage.
Can I start directly in DevOps, or should I work in another role first?
Both paths are possible. Some people first work as system administrators or technical support specialists to gain experience, then move into DevOps. That route often makes the transition easier.
Conclusion
Becoming a DevOps engineer from scratch is achievable, but it isn't a race. Start with Linux, learn networking, get a taste of automation with Git and scripting, then move on to containers, CI/CD and the cloud. If you reinforce each stage with a hands-on project, results will come sooner than you think.
Want to follow this path with experienced mentors? In the IDTech Academy DevOps course, you'll go through these stages in a structured program built around real-world tasks. Learn more about the course →