DIRTSAND:Getting Started has all the info you need.
You basically have two options:
1.
You will be sole user of your shard. In this case, you only need an internal client; this is by far the easiest option, since you only have to edit your local Python files and launch your client in -LocalData mode (see the CWE:Getting Started guide).
2.
You plan on creating a Shard like Gehn, Minkata or MO:ULa. In this case, you'll have to go through the File Server setup, as specified in the tutorial. The Python files you distribute to your clients are the ones you need to change, compress, and edit their manifests for.
Good luck! If you want to test, though, it's best to use an internal client.