docs(sim): add Try PX4 quick-start and pre-built packages reference

.github/actions/build-deb/action.yml

@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ runs:
   steps:
     - name: Restore ccache
       id: ccache-restore
-      uses: actions/cache/restore@v4
+      uses: actions/cache/restore@v5
       with:
         path: ~/.ccache
         key: ${{ inputs.ccache-key-prefix }}-${{ github.ref_name }}-${{ github.sha }}
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ runs:
       run: ccache -s
 
     - name: Save ccache
-      uses: actions/cache/save@v4
+      uses: actions/cache/save@v5
       if: always()
       with:
         path: ~/.ccache
@@ -108,7 +108,7 @@ runs:
         echo "PASS: gazebo package validation successful"
 
     - name: Upload .deb artifacts
-      uses: actions/upload-artifact@v4
+      uses: actions/upload-artifact@v7
       with:
         name: ${{ inputs.artifact-name }}
         path: build/px4_sitl_${{ inputs.target }}/*.deb

.github/workflows/build_deb_package.yml

@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ jobs:
       should_push: ${{ steps.push.outputs.should_push }}
     steps:
       - uses: runs-on/action@v2
-      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v6
         with:
           fetch-tags: true
           submodules: false
@@ -93,13 +93,13 @@ jobs:
           apt-get update && apt-get install -y git
           git config --global --add safe.directory $(realpath .)
 
-      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v6
         with:
           fetch-depth: 0
           fetch-tags: true
 
       - name: Cache apt packages
-        uses: actions/cache@v4
+        uses: actions/cache@v5
         with:
           path: /var/cache/apt/archives
           key: apt-${{ matrix.target }}-${{ matrix.codename }}-${{ matrix.arch }}-${{ hashFiles('Tools/setup/ubuntu.sh') }}
@@ -132,13 +132,13 @@ jobs:
           - { image: gazebo, target: default, arch: arm64, runner: arm64, platform: "linux/arm64", dockerfile: Dockerfile.gazebo }
     steps:
       - uses: runs-on/action@v2
-      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v6
         with:
           submodules: false
           fetch-depth: 1
 
       - name: Download Noble .deb artifact
-        uses: actions/download-artifact@v4
+        uses: actions/download-artifact@v8
         with:
           name: px4-sitl-debs-${{ matrix.target }}-noble-${{ matrix.arch }}
           path: docker-context
@@ -153,13 +153,13 @@ jobs:
           echo "${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}" | docker login ghcr.io -u "${{ github.actor }}" --password-stdin
 
       - name: Set up Docker Buildx
-        uses: docker/setup-buildx-action@v3
+        uses: docker/setup-buildx-action@v4
         with:
           driver: docker-container
           platforms: ${{ matrix.platform }}
 
       - name: Build and push container image
-        uses: docker/build-push-action@v6
+        uses: docker/build-push-action@v7
         with:
           context: docker-context
           file: Tools/packaging/${{ matrix.dockerfile }}

README.md

@@ -65,7 +65,17 @@ PX4 is an open-source autopilot stack for drones and unmanned vehicles. It suppo
 
 <sub>…and many more: helicopters, autogyros, airships, submarines, boats, and other experimental platforms. These frames have basic support but are not part of the regular flight-test program. See the <a href="https://docs.px4.io/main/en/airframes/airframe_reference.html">full airframe reference</a>.</sub>
 
-## Quick Start
+## Try PX4
+
+Run PX4 in simulation with a single command. No build tools, no dependencies beyond Docker:
+
+```bash
+docker run --rm -it -p 14550:14550/udp px4io/px4-sitl-sih:latest
+```
+
+Open [QGroundControl](https://qgroundcontrol.com) and fly. See [Try PX4 Simulation](https://docs.px4.io/main/en/dev_setup/try_px4) for more options.
+
+## Build from Source
 
 ```bash
 git clone https://github.com/PX4/PX4-Autopilot.git --recursive

docs/en/SUMMARY.md

@@ -438,6 +438,7 @@
 - [Development](development/development.md)
   - [Getting Started](dev_setup/getting_started.md)
     - [Recommended Hardware/Setup](dev_setup/config_initial.md)
+    - [Try PX4 Simulation](dev_setup/try_px4.md)
     - [Toolchain Installation](dev_setup/dev_env.md)
       - [Ubuntu Setup](dev_setup/dev_env_linux_ubuntu.md)
       - [Windows Setup](dev_setup/dev_env_windows_wsl.md)
@@ -473,6 +474,7 @@
       - [Worlds](sim_gazebo_classic/worlds.md)
       - [Multi-Vehicle Sim](sim_gazebo_classic/multi_vehicle_simulation.md)
     - [Simulate Failsafes](simulation/failsafes.md)
+    - [Pre-built Packages](simulation/px4_sitl.md)
   - [Hardware](hardware/index.md)
     - [Flight Controller Reference Design](hardware/reference_design.md)
     - [Manufacturer’s Board Support Guide](hardware/board_support_guide.md)

docs/en/dev_setup/dev_env.md

@@ -1,5 +1,10 @@
 # Setting up a Developer Environment (Toolchain)
 
+::: tip
+You only need a toolchain if you want to **modify and build** PX4 from source.
+If you just want to run PX4 simulation without changing the code, use a pre-built [Docker container or .deb package](try_px4.md) instead.
+:::
+
 The _supported platforms_ for PX4 development are:
 
 - [Ubuntu Linux (24.04/22.04)](../dev_setup/dev_env_linux_ubuntu.md)

docs/en/dev_setup/getting_started.md

@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
 This section contains topics about getting started with PX4 development:
 
 - [Initial Setup](../dev_setup/config_initial.md)
+- [Try PX4 Simulation](../dev_setup/try_px4.md) -- run PX4 in simulation without a build environment
 - [Toolchain Installation](../dev_setup/dev_env.md)
 - [Building the Code](../dev_setup/building_px4.md)
 - [Writing an Application](../modules/hello_sky.md)

docs/en/dev_setup/try_px4.md

@@ -0,0 +1,53 @@
+# Try PX4 Simulation
+
+PX4 runs a full autopilot in simulation, on your laptop, with nothing to install besides Docker.
+One command and you have a flying vehicle ready for QGroundControl, MAVSDK, or ROS 2.
+
+```bash
+docker run --rm -it -p 14550:14550/udp px4io/px4-sitl-sih:latest
+```
+
+That's it. PX4 is running. Open [QGroundControl](https://qgroundcontrol.com) and fly.
+
+No hardware, no build environment, no dependencies beyond [Docker](https://docs.docker.com/get-docker/). Read on for more options.
+
+## What This Runs
+
+The command above starts a **lightweight simulation** where the physics run inside PX4 itself. It starts instantly and works everywhere, but it is headless (no 3D window). You can still monitor the vehicle in QGroundControl, and there are [additional visualization options](../sim_sih/index.md) if you need them.
+
+If you need a **3D environment** with cameras, LiDAR, and custom worlds, PX4 also supports [Gazebo](../sim_gazebo_gz/index.md). Gazebo requires more setup (graphics forwarding, GPU access) so it is better suited as a [native install](../simulation/px4_sitl.md) or [built from source](building_px4.md). See the [simulator comparison table](../simulation/index.md#simulator-comparison) for a full feature breakdown.
+
+## Container (any OS)
+
+Containers package PX4 and all its dependencies into a single download so you don't have to install anything on your system. Just install [Docker](https://docs.docker.com/get-docker/) (a free tool that runs containers) and you're ready to go. Works on Linux, macOS, and Windows.
+
+```bash
+docker run --rm -it -p 14550:14550/udp px4io/px4-sitl-sih:latest
+```
+
+PX4 starts a simulated quadcopter. You land in the PX4 shell (`pxh>`).
+Open [QGroundControl](https://qgroundcontrol.com) and it auto-connects on UDP port 14550.
+
+For other vehicle types, environment variables, and configuration, see the full [SIH Simulation](../sim_sih/index.md) guide.
+
+## Native Install (Ubuntu)
+
+If you're on Ubuntu and prefer to install PX4 simulation (SITL) directly on your system instead of using a container, download a `.deb` package. This installs PX4 SITL as a regular application, no Docker required. Both lightweight and Gazebo 3D packages are available.
+
+Available for Ubuntu 22.04 and 24.04. Download from the [PX4 Releases](https://github.com/PX4/PX4-Autopilot/releases) page, then:
+
+```bash
+sudo apt install ./px4_*.deb
+PX4_SIM_MODEL=sihsim_quadx px4
+```
+
+For Gazebo packages, multi-instance, ROS 2 integration, and all configuration options, see the [Pre-built SITL Packages](../simulation/px4_sitl.md) guide.
+
+## Now What?
+
+PX4 is running. Here's what to try next:
+
+1. **Fly around.** Open [QGroundControl](https://qgroundcontrol.com), it connects automatically. Arm the vehicle, take off, and explore the flight modes.
+2. **Control it with code.** Use [MAVSDK](https://mavsdk.mavlink.io/) to write a program that commands the vehicle: takeoff, fly a mission, land. Works in any language with a MAVLink connection.
+3. **Connect ROS 2.** PX4 publishes vehicle state and accepts commands over [uXRCE-DDS](../ros2/user_guide.md). If ROS 2 is your stack, you can subscribe to topics and send setpoints from ROS nodes.
+4. **Go deeper.** Ready to modify PX4 itself? Head to the next page to set up a development environment and build from source.

docs/en/index.md

@@ -21,11 +21,13 @@ Documented changes since the stable release are captured in the evolving [releas
 
 </div>
 
+## Try PX4
+
+No hardware needed. Run PX4 in simulation with a single command using [Docker or a .deb package](dev_setup/try_px4.md). Connect [QGroundControl](https://qgroundcontrol.com), [MAVSDK](https://mavsdk.mavlink.io/), or [ROS 2](ros2/index.md) and start flying immediately.
+
 ## For Developers
 
-:::tip
-Building on PX4 or extending the platform? Start here: [Development Guide](development/development.md). Set up your [dev environment](dev_setup/config_initial.md), [build from source](dev_setup/building_px4.md), run [SITL simulation](simulation/index.md), or integrate via [ROS 2](ros2/index.md) and [MAVSDK](https://mavsdk.mavlink.io/).
-:::
+Want to modify PX4 or build from source? Start with the [Development Guide](development/development.md): set up your [dev environment](dev_setup/dev_env.md), [build the code](dev_setup/building_px4.md), and run [SITL simulation](simulation/index.md).
 
 ## Getting Started
 

docs/en/simulation/index.md

@@ -32,6 +32,10 @@ See [PX4-Autopilot#23602](https://github.com/PX4/PX4-Autopilot/issues/23602) for
 
 There are also a number of [Community Supported Simulators](../simulation/community_supported_simulators.md).
 
+:::tip
+To run PX4 SITL without setting up a build environment, [pre-built packages and containers](px4_sitl.md) are available.
+:::
+
 ### Simulator Comparison
 
 | Feature                   | Gazebo                                    | SIH                                                                 |