> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://qovery-docs-new-messaging-and-agent-tasks.mintlify.site/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Create Your Cluster

> Set up a managed Kubernetes cluster as the foundation for your Qovery deployment

<Info>
  **This is Step 1** - You need a cluster before deploying applications. This takes about 30 minutes and only needs to be done once.
</Info>

## Why Create a Cluster First?

Your Kubernetes cluster is the foundation where all your applications, databases, and services will run. Qovery provisions and manages:

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Infrastructure Management" icon="server">
    Kubernetes installation, configuration, and upgrades
  </Card>

  <Card title="Networking & Security" icon="shield">
    Load balancing, SSL/TLS certificates, and secure networking
  </Card>

  <Card title="Auto-Scaling" icon="chart-line">
    Automatic scaling based on traffic and resource usage
  </Card>

  <Card title="Monitoring & Logging" icon="chart-bar">
    Built-in observability and log aggregation
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Choose Your Cloud Provider

Select where you want Qovery to create your managed Kubernetes cluster. Each guide details exactly what gets created (networking, IAM, node pools) for that provider:

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Amazon Web Services" icon="https://mintcdn.com/qovery-docs-new-messaging-and-agent-tasks/-RrTMf6411A9-k-L/images/logos/cloud-providers/aws-icon.svg?fit=max&auto=format&n=-RrTMf6411A9-k-L&q=85&s=6ecd6a95f714dde3dfd4beed46558529" href="/getting-started/installation/aws" width="24" height="24" data-path="images/logos/cloud-providers/aws-icon.svg">
    Elastic Kubernetes Service (EKS)
  </Card>

  <Card title="Google Cloud Platform" icon="https://mintcdn.com/qovery-docs-new-messaging-and-agent-tasks/-RrTMf6411A9-k-L/images/logos/cloud-providers/gcp-icon.svg?fit=max&auto=format&n=-RrTMf6411A9-k-L&q=85&s=ac9d43140810b4bcb3f47daf1359608c" href="/getting-started/installation/gcp" width="24" height="24" data-path="images/logos/cloud-providers/gcp-icon.svg">
    Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE Autopilot)
  </Card>

  <Card title="Microsoft Azure" icon="https://mintcdn.com/qovery-docs-new-messaging-and-agent-tasks/-RrTMf6411A9-k-L/images/logos/cloud-providers/azure-icon.svg?fit=max&auto=format&n=-RrTMf6411A9-k-L&q=85&s=d5895587892978352369d1c40fb0aeb4" href="/getting-started/installation/azure" width="24" height="24" data-path="images/logos/cloud-providers/azure-icon.svg">
    Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS)
  </Card>

  <Card title="Scaleway" icon="https://mintcdn.com/qovery-docs-new-messaging-and-agent-tasks/-RrTMf6411A9-k-L/images/logos/cloud-providers/scaleway-icon.svg?fit=max&auto=format&n=-RrTMf6411A9-k-L&q=85&s=f158ba790554f21f2495135ccee02b66" href="/getting-started/installation/scaleway" width="24" height="24" data-path="images/logos/cloud-providers/scaleway-icon.svg">
    Kapsule Kubernetes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

<Info>
  Already have a Kubernetes cluster? [Connect it instead (BYOK)](/getting-started/installation/kubernetes) rather than provisioning a new one.
</Info>

***

## What's Next?

<Warning>
  **Important:** Cluster creation is just Step 1. After your cluster is ready, you must return to your use case guide to complete the setup.
</Warning>

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Production Applications" icon="rocket" href="/getting-started/guides/use-cases/production-environment-management">
    **Continue your setup:**

    * Deploy your first application
    * Configure auto-scaling
    * Set up monitoring
    * Add custom domains
  </Card>

  <Card title="Ephemeral Environments" icon="code-branch" href="/getting-started/guides/use-cases/ephemeral-environment">
    **Continue your setup:**

    * Enable preview environments
    * Configure PR deployments
    * Set up auto-cleanup policies
  </Card>

  <Card title="Deploy First App" icon="play" href="/getting-started/guides/getting-started/deploy-your-first-application">
    **Quick start option:**

    Skip the full guide and deploy your first application right away
  </Card>

  <Card title="Explore More Use Cases" icon="compass" href="/getting-started/quickstart">
    **Browse all options:**

    See all available use cases and deployment scenarios
  </Card>
</CardGroup>