# Create a cluster

> Choose the criticality, hosting provider, region, account and machines, then launch the cluster. Change it, take it offline or delete it later.

Source: https://docs.fransys.cloud/en/clusters/creer-un-cluster/ Checked against the console on 2026-10-23.

## What a cluster is

A cluster is a set of machines at the hosting provider of your choice. Fransys reserves them, installs Kubernetes and runs it for you. Your projects are deployed on it; several projects can share a cluster.

## Create a cluster

In **Clusters**, click **New cluster**. The console asks its questions in order:

1. **Which criticality?** Basic, Stable or Critical. See [Criticality](https://docs.fransys.cloud/en/clusters/criticite/).
2. **Where should the cluster run?**
   - **Need GPUs (AI, compute)?** If yes, only regions offering GPU machines remain.
   - **Where may your data go?** **European Union** or **Anywhere**.
   - **Hosting provider**, then the region. Each region shows the monthly price of its cheapest machine.
3. **Which account?** The Fransys account (machines billed by Fransys, from your balance) or your own account at the hosting provider. This question only appears if you have an account of your own with that provider. See [Your cloud account](https://docs.fransys.cloud/en/clusters/compte-cloud/).
4. **How many machines?** and **How should the machines be managed?**: a single machine or several, AutoPilot or fixed machines. See [AutoPilot and cap](https://docs.fransys.cloud/en/clusters/autopilot-et-plafond/).
5. **Cluster name**, then **Create and deploy**.

The price breakdown updates with every choice, per month, per day or per hour (a month counts 730 hours, as in billing).

## While it's being created

Fransys orders the machines from the hosting provider, then installs Kubernetes, networking and HTTPS certificates: up to 15 minutes. The page updates by itself.

Right after, the cluster may stay **Degraded** for a few minutes, while the last machines and system components start. It switches to **Online** on its own. You can already deploy.

> **Billing starts as soon as the machines run**
> The cluster starts costing as soon as its machines are created, even with no project on it.

## Read a cluster page

- **What you pay**: the monthly cost based on what's running, and the month's cost day by day.
- **Usage**: project by project, across the whole cluster, and the capacity that's paid for but free.
- **Machines**: each machine (control node, worker machine, load balancer), its state and its price.
- **Hosted projects**, and **Attach a project**.
- **Configuration**: criticality, machine management, cap, account, region.

## Next

- [Change, take offline or delete](https://docs.fransys.cloud/en/clusters/modifier-ou-supprimer/) the cluster.
- [Attach a project](https://docs.fransys.cloud/en/projets/projets/#attach-the-project-to-a-cluster).
- Run the cluster on [your cloud account](https://docs.fransys.cloud/en/clusters/compte-cloud/).