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

# Virtual machines quickstart

> Create a LayerRail virtual machine, choose a region and size, add an SSH key, and connect to your new Linux server in a few minutes.

This quickstart creates a Linux VM from the LayerRail console.

## Create a virtual machine

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open your project">
    Go to the [LayerRail console](https://console.layerrail.com), open a project, and choose **Virtual Machines**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose Create Virtual Machine">
    Choose **Create Virtual Machine** for a standard CPU VM.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Pick a location">
    Choose the region closest to your users or the service that will connect to the VM.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose an image">
    Choose Ubuntu, Debian, AlmaLinux, or Fedora.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose a size">
    Start small for testing. Move to larger plans when CPU, memory, or bandwidth needs grow.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add an SSH key">
    Paste your public SSH key so you can connect after the VM is ready.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create the VM">
    Submit the form and wait for the VM state to change from **creating** to **running**.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Connect over SSH

Use the public IP address shown on the VM page.

```bash theme={null}
ssh ubuntu@<public-ip>
```

If you changed the username during creation, use that username instead.

```bash theme={null}
ssh <username>@<public-ip>
```

<Info>
  SSH access depends on the public key you provided during creation and the firewall rules attached to the VM.
</Info>

## Next steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="SSH access" icon="key" href="/virtual-machines/ssh" />

  <Card title="VM sizes" icon="gauge-high" href="/virtual-machines/sizes" />

  <Card title="Load balancers" icon="network-wired" href="/networking/load-balancer" />

  <Card title="Firewalls" icon="shield" href="/networking/firewall" />
</CardGroup>