# Create a server

Order a new server at your cloud provider from Nuvlo and have it set up with everything your sites need: web server, firewall, security hardening and the software for the projects you plan to host.

## Before you start

- A Nuvlo account with room for another server on your plan. See [Plans and pricing](https://app.nuvlo.dev/docs/plans-and-pricing).
- An account at one of the supported providers: Hetzner, Vultr, DigitalOcean, Linode (Akamai), UpCloud, Scaleway, Exoscale, AWS, Google Cloud or Contabo. You can connect it during this guide.
- Optional: an SSH key added under [SSH keys](https://app.nuvlo.dev/docs/ssh-keys), if you want to log in to the server yourself.

## Step 1: Open the create page

Go to [Servers](https://app.nuvlo.dev/dashboard/servers), click **Create** and choose **Server**. The same **Create** menu is at the top of most dashboard pages.

If your account already has as many servers as your Nuvlo plan allows, the **Server** item shows how many you use and links to Billing instead. Upgrade your plan or remove a server first.

![The Create menu open on the Servers page with the Server item highlighted](https://app.nuvlo.dev/docs/shots/create-a-server--create-menu.webp)

## Step 2: Choose a provider

Keep **My cloud account** selected at the top. To use a server you already have at any host, choose **Any server (SSH)** instead and follow [Connect any server with one command](https://app.nuvlo.dev/docs/connect-any-server).

Under **Choose a provider**, click the cloud provider you want the server at. Each provider shows how many accounts you have connected, or **Connect account** if none is connected yet. Use **Search providers** to filter the list.

![The provider grid on the first step of the Create server wizard, with Hetzner selected](https://app.nuvlo.dev/docs/shots/create-a-server--choose-provider.webp)

## Step 3: Connect the provider account

Skip this step if the provider already shows a connected account.

If it isn't connected, a **Connect** panel opens below the providers. It lists the permissions the API token needs. Create the token in your provider's console with those permissions, then paste it into **API key or token**. Contabo, Scaleway, Exoscale and AWS ask for several values, each in its own field. Google Cloud uses a **Service account key (JSON)**: paste its contents or choose the file.

Optionally give the connection a **Label (optional)**, such as `Production key`, so you can tell accounts apart later. Click **Validate & connect**. Nuvlo checks the credentials with the provider, saves them and moves you to the next step.

Each provider has its own guide, starting at [Connect a server provider](https://app.nuvlo.dev/docs/connect-a-server-provider).

![The Connect panel with the permissions list, the label field, the API token field and the Validate & connect button](https://app.nuvlo.dev/docs/shots/create-a-server--connect-panel.webp)

## Step 4: Pick the account and the server source

If you connected more than one account at this provider, choose the one to create the server in from the **Account** list. Plans, prices and regions can differ per account.

Under **Server source**, keep **New server** to order a new machine. Hetzner and Contabo also offer **Erase an existing server**, which wipes a server you already have and sets it up with Nuvlo. That path is described in [Erase an existing server](https://app.nuvlo.dev/docs/erase-an-existing-server).

Click **Choose what to host**.

![The Account dropdown and the Server source choice with New server selected](https://app.nuvlo.dev/docs/shots/create-a-server--server-source.webp)

## Step 5: Choose what to host

Under **What will you host?**, pick the kind of project. This decides which software Nuvlo installs. Every server gets the Nginx web server, a firewall and SSH hardening.

| Option | Use it for | Also installed |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **WordPress & apps** | WordPress sites and 1-Click apps | Docker |
| **Node.js apps** | Next.js, Nuxt, SvelteKit and other Node.js projects | Node.js, PM2 and Redis |
| **PHP websites** | Laravel, Symfony and plain PHP | PHP-FPM, Composer and Redis |
| **Static websites** | Ready-built HTML, single-page apps, landing pages | Nothing extra |
| **Mixed projects** | Any mix of site types on one server | Docker, Node.js, PM2, Redis and PHP |
| **Headless** | WordPress for content plus an Astro, Next.js or Nuxt frontend | Same as Mixed projects; needs a plan with at least 4 GB of memory |

Below the cards, **Operating system** is set to a Nuvlo-ready Ubuntu LTS release (Ubuntu 24.04 by default; 22.04 and 26.04 are also supported). When a provider lists its own images, the ones Nuvlo can't set up are shown greyed out and can't be chosen.

Click **Choose region and plan**.

![The What will you host? cards with WordPress & apps selected and the Operating system dropdown below](https://app.nuvlo.dev/docs/shots/create-a-server--what-to-host.webp)

## Step 6: Choose a region

Under **Region**, click the datacenter location closest to your visitors. The plans shown next depend on the region, so pick it first.

![The Region buttons on the Region & plan step, with one city selected](https://app.nuvlo.dev/docs/shots/create-a-server--region.webp)

## Step 7: Choose a plan

Under **Plan**, choose a plan family first, for example **Shared resources** or **Dedicated resources**. Some providers split these further, such as Hetzner's **Cost-optimized**, **Regular performance** and **General purpose**. Families that offer both processor types show an **Architecture** choice: **x86 (Intel/AMD)** or **Arm64 (Ampere)**.

Then select a row in the plan table. It shows vCPUs, memory, storage, monthly transfer and the monthly price. Prices are net, excluding VAT. On AWS and Google Cloud, outbound traffic is **Billed per GB** by the provider.

Plans marked **Sold out** aren't available in the chosen region. For **Headless**, plans under 4 GB show **Headless needs 4 GB** and can't be selected.

On Contabo, also choose a **Contract term**. Contabo bills a fixed monthly price, and longer terms lower the monthly rate. The upfront total for the term is shown below the choices.

Click **Configure server**.

![The plan family cards and the plan table with one plan selected](https://app.nuvlo.dev/docs/shots/create-a-server--plan.webp)

## Step 8: Name the server and choose access

Enter a **Server name**, such as `web-prod-04`. Use up to 63 letters, digits and hyphens, starting and ending with a letter or digit.

Under **SSH keys**, tick the keys that may log in to the server. This is optional: Nuvlo manages the server with its own key either way. Only account owners and admins can add SSH keys to a new server. To add a key first, go to [SSH keys](https://app.nuvlo.dev/dashboard/ssh-keys).

On Contabo, choose how the **Root password** is set: **Auto-generate** or **Set my own**. The password only works in Contabo's VNC console as a fallback if SSH stops working; password login over SSH stays off. See [Manage a Contabo server](https://app.nuvlo.dev/docs/manage-a-contabo-server).

![The Configure server step with the Server name field and the SSH keys checkboxes](https://app.nuvlo.dev/docs/shots/create-a-server--configure.webp)

## Step 9: Add a database engine (optional)

For Node.js, PHP and Mixed servers, **Database engine** lets you install one during setup: MySQL, MariaDB, PostgreSQL, MongoDB or Redis. Leave it on **None** to skip; you can add one later. See [Create a database](https://app.nuvlo.dev/docs/create-a-database).

The option isn't shown for **WordPress & apps** and **Static websites**. WordPress sites bring their own database.

MySQL needs an x86 server. With an Arm plan selected, choose MariaDB or go back and pick an x86 plan.

![The Database engine cards on the Configure server step with None selected](https://app.nuvlo.dev/docs/shots/create-a-server--database-engine.webp)

## Step 10: Review and create

Click **Review server**. Check the provider, server type, operating system, region, plan, **Monthly cost**, name, SSH keys and database. To change something, click an earlier step in the step bar, or click a row with a pencil icon in the **Your server** panel.

Click **Create server**. Nuvlo orders the server from your provider.

> **Warning:** Your provider bills you for the server from the moment it is created. Nuvlo doesn't charge for the server itself.

![The Review server step with the summary grid and the Create server button](https://app.nuvlo.dev/docs/shots/create-a-server--review.webp)

## Step 11: Watch the setup

The page switches to **Creating server**. It lists every setup step, marks each one as it finishes, and shows the elapsed time. Setup usually takes a few minutes.

- **Creating server instance** and **Configuring network** at the provider
- **Installing system packages** and **Setting up firewall & security**
- The software for your server type, such as **Installing Docker**, **Installing Node.js & PM2**, **Installing Redis runtime** or **Installing PHP**
- **Configuring Nginx**, **Setting permissions** and **Finalizing setup**

You can leave the page. The setup keeps running, and the [Servers](https://app.nuvlo.dev/dashboard/servers) page shows its progress at the top.

## Step 12: Start using the server

When every step is done, the title changes to **Server is ready**. Click **Create a site on this server** to add your first site, **View server** to open the server page, or **Create another server**.

On Contabo with an auto-generated password, the root password opens once here. Copy it and keep it safe.

## Stop a setup that's running

While the server is being created, **Cancel & delete server** stops the setup. Nuvlo asks you to confirm, then deletes the new server at the provider. On Contabo the button is **Cancel subscription**: the contract is cancelled and the server runs until the paid period ends.

You can also cancel from the [Servers](https://app.nuvlo.dev/dashboard/servers) page: expand the setup card and click **Cancel and delete server**, then click again to confirm.

## If setup fails

If a step fails, the title changes to **Setup failed**, the step is marked **Failed** and the reason is shown below the list. On the [Servers](https://app.nuvlo.dev/dashboard/servers) page, the server shows **Needs attention** and the failed setup stays listed at the top until you click its **Dismiss** button.

A failed server may still exist at your provider and cost money. Open it and delete it as described in [Delete a server](https://app.nuvlo.dev/docs/delete-a-server), then click **Start over** or create a new one.

| Message | What to do |
| --- | --- |
| The selected plan is unavailable in this region | Go back to **Region & plan** and pick another plan or region. |
| MySQL 9.7 requires an x86 server | Choose MariaDB, or an x86 plan. |
| No API token found for the provider | Reconnect the provider account, see [Connect a server provider](https://app.nuvlo.dev/docs/connect-a-server-provider). |
| Provisioning progress was lost or expired | Open the server from the Servers page and check its status before creating another. |

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Source: https://app.nuvlo.dev/docs/create-a-server