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Create a VM

Steps​

  1. Go to Compute → Virtual Machines → Create VM
  2. Name your VM
  3. Select Region — choose the data center nearest to you or your users to minimize latency
  4. Select Image — currently Ubuntu is supported, with version selection (e.g. Ubuntu 24.04)
  5. Networking — your VM automatically joins the workspace's default private network (e.g. 10.16.0.0/16) so resources can talk to each other securely. Custom Virtual Isolated Networks (VINs) are coming soon.
  6. SSH Keys — select an existing key, or click Add New Key to upload one
  7. Select or Create Volumes (optional) — attach existing volumes or create new ones for additional storage
  8. Startup Configuration (optional) — choose packages to install, or add a custom script to run on first boot (runs with root privileges)
  9. Select Compute — choose a plan (see Compute plans)
  10. Review the Total Payment estimate at the top, then click Create VM

Provisioning​

Once you click Create VM, you'll see a live progress panel showing each step:

VM request started.
Preparing your VM.
Applying your SSH keys and configuration.
Waiting for SSH access.
Your VM is ready.

This typically completes in under a second once queued.

After creation​

Your VM detail page shows:

  • Status (e.g. RUNNING)
  • Spec summary — vCPU, RAM, disk, region, OS
  • Private IP, guest hostname, and any exposed port
  • Tabs for Connect, Metrics, Snapshots, Firewall, Settings, and Deploy

Free trial: Ephemeral plan​

If you select the Ephemeral Trial compute plan, note the terms shown at the bottom of the create form:

  • Runs for up to 3 days, then automatically expires
  • On expiry, the VM is permanently deleted — back up anything you need
  • You can run one active ephemeral VM at a time