# Getting started

> To deploy with Unrent, create an account, connect a Linux server with one command (or create one on your cloud), then add a service from an image or a GitHub repository and deploy it. You need a server running Ubuntu 24.04 or 26.04, or Debian 12 or 13 (amd64 or arm64).

URL: https://unrent.dev/docs/

## 1. Create an account

Go to [app.unrent.dev/signup](https://app.unrent.dev/signup), enter your email and name, type the 6-digit code we email you, and create a passkey. There is no password. Then name your first organisation.

## 2. Connect a server

In **Servers**, choose **Add a server**. Pick a mode (observe, protect or manage), copy the command and run it on the server as root. The token in it works once and expires after 15 minutes.

On the server:

```
curl -fsSL https://get.unrent.dev/install.sh | sudo sh -s -- --token <one-time token>
```

The server shows as connected within about 30 seconds. Or choose **Create on…** to have Unrent create the server in your own Hetzner, DigitalOcean, Vultr, Akamai (Linode), Scaleway or UpCloud account: see [Servers and hardening](https://unrent.dev/docs/servers/).

## 3. Add a service

- **Image:** a public image from Docker Hub, GitHub Container Registry, Amazon ECR Public, Quay or the GitLab registry, or a private one with registry credentials
- **From a repository:** a GitHub repository with a Dockerfile, built on your server. See [Builds from GitHub](https://unrent.dev/docs/builds/)

Set the port your app listens on and a health check (HTTP path or TCP). Add variables in **Config**; values you mark as secret are sealed in your browser before they are sent.

## 4. Deploy

Press **Deploy**. The run view shows each step live: pull or build, pre-deploy command, start, health check and the switch. Your service gets an HTTPS address on `unrent.page` straight away.

## Next steps

- [Add a database with backups](https://unrent.dev/docs/databases/)
- [Add a custom domain](https://unrent.dev/docs/domains/)
- [Set up alerts and webhooks](https://unrent.dev/docs/alerts/)
- [Connect your coding agent over MCP](https://unrent.dev/docs/mcp/)

## Questions

### What does a server need?

A server running Ubuntu 24.04 or 26.04, or Debian 12 or 13 (amd64 or arm64) with systemd, and Docker Engine 27 or newer for apps and databases. The installer can install Docker with `--install-docker`.

### Can I try Unrent without a server?

No: Unrent runs your apps on servers you own. The first server is free.