---
title: 4.2.1 Extract Source Code
description: "In the *Requirements Chapter* of this install document you downloaded a zip file that contained the i2b2 core source code. This zip file contains all the i2b2 code needed to install the i2b2 cells including the i2b2 Server-Common. ### Steps…"
url: "https://i2b2.org/docs/4-2-1-extract-source-code/"
updated: "2026-09-15"
category: "i2b2 Installation Guide / Chapter 4. Server Install Guide / B. Legacy Approach - Build Each Cell from Source / Chapter 4. i2b2 Server-Common Install / 4.2 Server-common Installation Overview"
---

# 4.2.1 Extract Source Code

In the *Requirements Chapter* of this install document you downloaded a zip file that contained the i2b2 core source code. This zip file contains all the i2b2 code needed to install the i2b2 cells including the i2b2 Server-Common.

### Steps to extract the code

1. Set up a target source directory for the i2b2 server code.

2. Locate the 2b2 Core Source Code zip  file you downloaded in the  [i2b2 Requirements](https://i2b2.atlassian.net/wiki/x/WwLMD)* Section*.

3. Extract the core server source code into the target directory you just created.

Tip

You will want to make note of the location as it will be needed further along in the i2b2 installation. In the installation document whenever you see **YOUR_I2B2_SRC_DIR** it will need to be replaced with the location of your i2b2 Core Source code.

For your convenience an installation Worksheet to track the setup locations has been provided in the Appendices Chapter.