Learn Dutch: Ik lees de handleiding voordat ik begin. - I read the manual before I begin.

Yes! The word voordat (before) introduces a subclause, which means the verb is pushed to the very end. It might look like the normal subject-verb order because there are only two words in ik begin. However, if you added a word like echt (really), it would go before the verb: ... voordat ik echt begin.

Can I use voor instead of voordat?

In everyday spoken Dutch, people often shorten it to voor. But strictly speaking, voor is a preposition used before nouns (like voor de lunch - before lunch). Because you are introducing a new clause with a subject and a verb (ik begin), the correct word to use is the conjunction voordat.

What does the word handleiding literally mean?

It is a combination of hand (hand) and leiding (guidance or direction, from the verb leiden - to lead). So it literally means hand-guidance, which makes perfect sense for a manual or instruction guide!

Can I flip this and start the sentence with voordat?

Yes, you can say: Voordat ik begin, lees ik de handleiding. Notice that the second part becomes lees ik instead of ik lees. The entire voordat clause counts as the first piece of information, so the main verb (lees) must come immediately after it to stay in the second position.