> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://www.thundercompute.com/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
# Quickstart
> Launch your first instance using the Thunder Compute Console. A web interface to provision cloud GPU resources and initialize environments.
Editor extension
Command line
Web interface
MCP server
## Sign Up
Navigate to the [Thunder Compute console](https://console.thundercompute.com/signup) and create an account with your email.
After signing in, the console opens to **Active Instances**, where you can create and manage GPU instances.
## Add a Payment Method
In the console, [add a payment method](https://console.thundercompute.com/settings/billing) to your account.
## Create an Instance
1. Click **Create** on the dashboard
2. Choose **Development** or **Production**
3. Select a GPU type, GPU count, CPU/RAM, and storage
4. Under **Additional Configuration**, choose an SSH key. **Thunder-managed (default)** is the fastest way to get started
5. Click **Create Instance**
Your instance appears in the **Active Instances** table. It may briefly show **Queued** or **Starting** before it becomes **Running**.
When the instance is running, the table shows its GPU, template, and IP address.
The screenshot uses a documentation IP address. Your console will show the IP address assigned to your instance.
## Connect to Your Instance
Click **Connect to instances** and choose the connection method for your workflow.
For terminal access, choose **Command Line**, then select your platform and architecture.
Use the CLI or VS Code extension for the best connection experience with automatic key management:
Single command SSH access
One-click remote development
## Clean Up
When you are done, open the instance menu, click **Delete**, and confirm the deletion.
