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

# Quickstart

> Start building with CUDO Compute in minutes

## Get started in three steps

A step-by-step guide to run you through the steps required to get started on CUDO Compute.

### Step 1: Set up your account and generate an API key

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion icon="shield" title="Sign up or log in">
    1. Create an account at [compute.cudo.org](https://compute.cudo.org/) or log in if you already have one.
    2. Verify your email address.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion icon="key" title="Create an API key">
    [Create an API key](/docs/api/authentication#create-an-api-key) and save it somewhere secure.

    <Tip>Your API key is like a password, keep it safe and don't share it with anyone.</Tip>
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

### Step 2: Create a billing account and project

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion icon="credit-card" title="Create a billing account">
    To start deploying resources you'll need to create a billing account, if you don't already have one. These steps are all included in the onboarding displayed in the console after registering.

    1. In the [CUDO Compute console](https://compute.cudo.org/), go to the Billing section and create a new billing account.
    2. Add a payment method to your billing account.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion icon="folder" title="Create a project">
    Next, you'll need a project to deploy resources into. You can create a new project on the [Projects](https://compute.cudo.org/projects) page.

    <Tip>Projects use global IDs, so make sure to note yours!</Tip>
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

### Step 3: Start deploying resources

<Accordion icon="rocket" title="Deploy using the console or API">
  You can deploy resources using the [CUDO Compute console](https://compute.cudo.org/) or programmatically using our [CLI tool](/docs/tools/cudoctl) or [REST API](/docs/api).

  <Tip>Check out our [API reference](/docs/api) for more details on how to use the API.</Tip>
</Accordion>

## Next steps

Now that you have your project set up, here are some resources to help you get the most out of CUDO Compute.

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="API documentation" icon="code" href="/docs/api">
    Use our REST API to manage your resources programmatically.
  </Card>

  <Card title="cudoctl" icon="terminal" href="/docs/tools/cudoctl">
    Learn about cudoctl, our command line interface for managing CUDO Compute resources.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Terraform" icon="https://mintcdn.com/cudo/SGqWClHilObGmoNB/docs/images/terraform.svg?fit=max&auto=format&n=SGqWClHilObGmoNB&q=85&s=2853f5fc3c042b8742898383c0683d39" color="transparent" href="https://registry.terraform.io/providers/CudoVentures/cudo/latest/docs" width="100" height="100" data-path="docs/images/terraform.svg">
    Use Terraform to manage your CUDO Compute infrastructure as code.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Guides" icon="square-code" href="/docs/guides">
    Step-by-step guides to help you get started with CUDO Compute.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

<Note>
  **Need help?** Browse our [help articles](/docs/help) or [open a support ticket](https://compute.cudo.org/?support=open).
</Note>