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

# Quick Start Guide

> Deploy a server and connect to it.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Add a Payment Method (Recommended)">
    Go to **Billing** > **Payment Methods** to add a Visa or Mastercard. You can also pay with a supported cryptocurrency during deployment.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add an SSH Key for Linux">
    Go to **Settings** > **SSH Keys** and click **Add SSH Key**.

    If you don't have one, generate it:

    ```bash theme={null}
    ssh-keygen -t ed25519
    ```

    Paste the contents of `~/.ssh/id_ed25519.pub` into the form.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Deploy a Server">
    Open the [new server flow](https://console.arct.cloud/auth/login?screen_hint=signup\&returnTo=/servers/new). After sign-in, the console opens **Create Server**.

    1. Choose a currently available location
    2. Select a tier and plan
    3. Pick an operating system (Linux images are available on every plan; Windows Server images require 2 or more vCPUs)
    4. Review the billing options shown in the console
    5. For Linux, select your SSH key
    6. Set a hostname
    7. Choose payment method
    8. Click **Deploy**

    The deployment UI is authoritative for the tier and location combinations currently available. Linux images deploy in under 30 seconds; Windows Server images deploy in 2–4 minutes, depending on the image size.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Connect">
    Once the server status is **Running**, connect to a Linux server via SSH:

    ```bash theme={null}
    ssh ubuntu@YOUR_SERVER_IP
    ```

    For Debian servers, use `debian@YOUR_SERVER_IP` instead. For Windows Server, connect over [RDP](/compute/virtual-machines/connect-rdp) as `Administrator`. Find the IP address on your server's detail page in the dashboard.
  </Step>
</Steps>


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