The first tutorial chapter begins with describing several mesh data formats that Hermes can read, and showing how to load, refine, and visualize meshes. Then we learn how to set up a finite element space and solve a first simple problem - a Poisson equation with zero Dirichlet boundary conditions. After that we show how to prescribe more general boundary conditions. We also explain how Hermes handles numerical quadrature since this is both very important for higher-order finite element methods and very different from standard low-order FEM codes. At the end of this chapter we will learn how to solve systems of equations and axisymmetric 3D problems.