I know the rules. How do I get better?

The most common question on /r/chess.

Sure, you can just play 5+0 games and try to figure out some things or play a trappy opening (Qh5!) but sooner or later you're going to have to actively learn and practice certain things if you want to improve and play good chess.

Here's a list of steps I'd recommend following:

1. Learn the rules. Go to lichess and in the LEARN tab, do all the stuff in there. These things will teach you the rules and fundamental patterns and tactics in a fun way. It's a good interactive first step into chess, even if you know how to play the game.

2. Play games so you see the rules in action and you get exposed to a lot of common (if bad) ideas. Baptism by fire.

3. Watch youtube streamers so you learn good ideas and how masters think about the vast complications in a chess game. I recommend John Bartholomew. Actively listen to what he's saying. His and Jerry's (ChessNetwork) videos along with some STLCC videos are where I learned a lot of stuff. Even if you just hear a term like opposition or outpost that's a good start. Then if it intrigues you, look up videos or other sources on that. Be active in your learning.

4. Practice Tactics. By now you should understand most of the basic tactical ideas. If not, find a good source (Yasser's Winning Chess Tactics is a great start) that defines them and shows examples.

5. Study Tactics hard. Find a good tactics app/book and line out a schedule to practice tactics almost daily.

6. Seriously, tactics. Do a lot of them. After you are good enough to not blunder away pieces and pawns, tactics will decide 90% of your games until you're at Expert level.

7. Play 15+ minute long games against real people on lichess or chess.com. Play principled opening moves, be paranoid hanging pieces, and try searching for tactics all the time. Analyze every game afterwards.

8. Continue being active about getting better. Search for weak spots in your skills. Learn something from every game. Practice simple endgames against stockfish. Get one opening you play as white and just play solid as black. Study tactics.

Conclusion
There are a million resources for every level of chess. As long as you are excited and willing to learn, you'll find them and if you seriously want to get better you will. And it will be painful. Because chess is hard.