Getting started with your VPS

A VPS (virtual private server) is a full virtual machine with root access and the operating system of your choice. Use one when you need complete control: your own services, custom kernels and packages, Docker hosts, VPNs and so on. If you only need to run a single container or app, a Docker image or GitHub deployment is simpler.

Create the VPS

1. Go to New deployment and pick VPS.
2. Choose an Operating System, a Location and a Node.
3. Give it a Name, or use the dice button for a random one.
4. Optionally paste your SSH public key (for example ssh-ed25519 AAAA... you@laptop). It's added to root's authorized_keys, so you can log in without the password from the very first boot. Recommended.
5. Pick Resources (RAM, CPU, disk). You're billed monthly per unit and can resize later.
6. Decide whether to Include an IPv4 address. A free IPv6 block is always included. Without IPv4, your VPS is reachable only over IPv6, and so is your SSH login.
7. Check the Manifest on the right (cost, balance after deployment), then press and hold Hold to deploy VPS.

The deploy screen reports each real setup step as it happens. You can leave the page; the VPS keeps setting up and appears on your dashboard.

Log in

The Overview tab of your VPS shows everything you need:

• IP address and IPv6 address, each with a copy button
• SSH user: root
• Password: hidden by default; show it, copy it, or regenerate it
• Connect via SSH: a ready-made command such as ssh root@203.0.113.10. Click it to copy.

From a terminal on your computer:

ssh root@YOUR_SERVER_IP

Windows 10 and 11 include the same ssh command in PowerShell and Windows Terminal.

The browser console

The Console tab opens the VM's own screen in your browser (VNC). It doesn't use SSH, so it works even when SSH doesn't: during a broken firewall rule, a bad SSH config, or a network change. Click Connect to console and log in as root with the password from Overview. The console is available once setup has finished and the VM is running.

Around the VPS page

Changing the root password under Settings takes effect after a restart. Use Restart VM Now when prompted.

Next steps

1. Harden your VPS. Do this before putting anything important on it.
2. Take a first backup from the Backup tab once it's set up the way you like.