> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.instapods.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Quickstart

> Get your app online in under 5 minutes.

Get a running pod with a public URL in just a few steps.

## Step 1: Create an Account

Go to [app.instapods.com/register](https://app.instapods.com/register) and sign up with your email address, or sign in with **GitHub** or **Google**.

## Step 2: Create a Pod

**Dashboard**

1. Click **Create Pod** from the dashboard
2. Enter a name for your pod (e.g., `my-first-app`)
3. Select a preset:
   * **Static** — HTML/CSS/JS served by nginx
   * **PHP** — PHP 8.2 / 8.3 / 8.4 with nginx and Composer
   * **Node.js** — Node.js 18 / 20 / 22 with npm
   * **Python** — Python 3.11 / 3.12 with pip and venv
4. Choose a plan (Launch is fine to start)
5. Click **Create**

Your pod will be ready in 1-2 seconds.

**CLI**

```bash theme={null}
# Install the CLI
curl -fsSL https://instapods.com/install.sh | sh

# Login
instapods login --email you@example.com

# Deploy in one command (creates pod + uploads code + installs deps)
instapods deploy my-first-app --local ./my-project
```

The `deploy` command auto-detects your stack, creates the pod, syncs files, and reloads — all in one step. See [deploy docs](/cli/deploy) for details.

**API**

```bash theme={null}
curl -X POST https://app.instapods.com/api/pods \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_TOKEN" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "name": "my-first-app",
    "preset": "nodejs",
    "plan_slug": "launch"
  }'
```

## Step 3: Access Your Pod

Once created, your pod is accessible at:

```
https://my-first-app.nbg1-1.instapods.app
```

### Connect via SSH

```bash theme={null}
ssh instapod@nbg1-1.instapods.app -p YOUR_PORT
```

Each pod gets a unique SSH port (in range 2200-3200). Find yours on the pod detail page or via the CLI:

```bash theme={null}
instapods pods get my-first-app
```

## Step 4: Deploy Your Code

**Git (Recommended)**

```bash theme={null}
# Connect a GitHub repo and deploy
instapods git connect my-first-app \
  --repo https://github.com/you/your-repo --deploy
```

From now on, every push to `main` auto-deploys. See the [Git Deployment guide](/guides/git-deployment) for details.

**CLI Upload**

```bash theme={null}
# Upload a single file
instapods files upload my-first-app ./index.html

# Sync an entire directory
instapods files sync my-first-app --local ./my-project

# Reload to install deps and restart the service
instapods pods reload my-first-app
```

> [!NOTE]
>
> For Node.js and Python presets, you **must** run `pods reload` after uploading code. This installs dependencies (`npm install` / `pip install`) and restarts the app service.

**SSH/SCP**

```bash theme={null}
scp -P YOUR_PORT ./index.html instapod@nbg1-1.instapods.app:/home/instapod/app/
```

Replace `YOUR_PORT` with your pod's SSH port (shown in `instapods pods get my-first-app`).

## Step 5: Add a Database (Optional)

Need a database? Install one with a single command:

```bash theme={null}
instapods services add my-first-app -s mysql -w
instapods services creds my-first-app -s mysql
```

Or use the dashboard — go to your pod's **Services** tab and click **Install**.

> [!NOTE]
>
> Database services require the Build plan (\$7/mo) or higher. If you're on Launch, upgrade from the billing page first.

## Next Steps

> **[Learn Core Concepts](/getting-started/concepts)**
>
> Understand pods, presets, plans, and regions

> **[Explore Presets](/presets/overview)**
>
> See what each preset includes

> **[Set Up Custom Domain](/dashboard/custom-domains)**
>
> Point your own domain to your pod

> **[Install the CLI](/cli/installation)**
>
> Automate your workflow


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