Getting started

Before you start

• A fresh server running Debian 13 or Ubuntu 26.04 LTS (or newer), with at least 2 GB of memory, from any provider.
• Root access to it, over SSH or through your provider’s web console.
• A domain where you can add DNS records.

Step 1: Create your account

1. Go to the sign-up page and choose Create account. You can sign up with email, or with Google or GitHub where they are shown.
2. With email, enter your name, work email and a password (at least 8 characters).
3. Enter the 6-digit code we email you. It expires in 10 minutes.

Your 14-day free trial starts straight away. No card is needed.

Step 2: Connect your server

1. Open Servers and click Connect server.
2. Enter a Server Name, the Host or IP Address, the SSH Port (22) and the SSH User (root). Click Next: Connect Server.
3. Copy the command shown and run it once on the server. It adds a key made only for this server. No terminal? Use the root password instead. It is used once and never stored.
4. Click I’ve run it — connect.

Setup checks the operating system, installs what it needs, sets the firewall to allow only SSH, HTTP and HTTPS, turns off SSH password logins and switches on security upgrades. It usually takes about five minutes, and it carries on if you close the page.

Step 3: Launch a WordPress site

1. Open Deploy, choose WordPress, then WordPress Pro or WooCommerce Pro.
2. Choose the server and fill in Application name, Username or email (your WordPress admin), PHP Version and Domain.
3. Add the DNS records shown: an A record for your domain pointing to the server’s IP and, for a root domain, a CNAME for www.
4. Click Deploy. SSL, daily backups and updates are on from the start.

When the site is live, you see its address, the admin link and a generated admin password.

If your DNS isn’t pointing at the server yet, the site still deploys, and the certificate is issued as soon as the domain resolves. On Cloudflare, set SSL/TLS to Full.