> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://shadowforge.gitbook.io/shadowforge-writeups/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://shadowforge.gitbook.io/shadowforge-writeups/start-here.md).

# Start Here

## Welcome to my little corner of the internet.

If you're here, you probably know me (or you're about to know me) as **ShadowForge** — the name I use when I’m a ***dark, underground, hoodie-wearing, Mr. Robot–inspired hacker  \*\*\****.

In real life, I mostly respond to the name my two beautiful kids gave me:\
\&#xNAN;***DAAAADYYYY! Why is...?***\
Or, as my wife so elegantly puts it:\
\&#xNAN;***Honey, can you...?***

***

## Getting into Web AppSec

My main goal here is to get you hyped about Web AppSec. I genuinely love this field, and I hope I can share some of that passion with you. Getting started can feel overwhelming, so on this page I’ll show you what I did to reach my goals and what I’m doing to keep learning.

***

## CTFs

My writeups, mainly from [**https://bugforge.io**](https://bugforge.io)**,** are here for you to browse.\
I try not to write step-by-step walkthroughs. Instead, I focus on methodology and the thought process while hacking.

If you read some of my solutions and maybe, once in a while, think:\
\&#xNAN;**“Hmm… maybe I should write that down in my own notes.”**\
then I’ve done my job.

***

## Certs

> **Do not learn how to hack, hack to learn.**

I came across that quote once, and honestly, I kind of agree.\
But let’s be real: you *do* need to learn some fundamentals before you can hack anything.

That’s where my certifications come in. I’m a firm believer in hands-on certs — you learn to hack by hacking.

I’ve passed:

* **Practical Web Penetration Associate (PWPA)**
* **Practical Web Penetration Professional (PWPP)**
* **Practical Web Penetration Expert (PWPE)**

All three on my first attempt.

\
My reviews and experiences for these certs are also here for you to read.

***

## Disclamer

This page is very much a work in progress 😉

***

<sup><sub>\*\*\*<sub></sup> <sub></sub><sub>At least on</sub> <sub></sub><sub>*some*</sub> <sub></sub><sub>CTFs this is true.</sub>