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

# Getting started

> Create an LKS Cluster, connect with kubectl, and deploy your first Workload

This guide walks you through creating your first Cluster, connecting to it, and running a Workload. For the full reference on each step, see [Clusters](https://www.latitude.sh/docs/lks/clusters.md) and [Node Pools](https://www.latitude.sh/docs/lks/node-pools.md).

## Prerequisites

* A [verified account](https://www.latitude.sh/docs/account-setup/verify-account.md) with a [payment method](https://www.latitude.sh/docs/billing/payment-methods.md).
* A [project](https://www.latitude.sh/docs/projects.md) selected in the dashboard.
* [`kubectl`](https://kubernetes.io/docs/tasks/tools/#kubectl) installed on your machine.

**1. Create a Cluster**

Open the [dashboard](https://www.latitude.sh/docs/dashboard/overview.md), select a project, and go to **LKS** in the sidebar. Click **Create Cluster** and set:

* **Location**: the region where the Cluster runs.
* **Cluster name**: 3-63 lowercase letters, numbers, or hyphens, starting and ending with a letter or number.
* **Kubernetes version**: the newest available version is selected by default.
* **Node Pools**: add at least one Node Pool, choose a **Plan**, and set the number of **Nodes**.

Review the [hourly price](https://www.latitude.sh/pricing) and click **Create Cluster**. Provisioning takes a few minutes. See [Clusters](https://www.latitude.sh/docs/lks/clusters.md) and [Node Pools](https://www.latitude.sh/docs/lks/node-pools.md) for all options.

**2. Connect with kubectl**

Once the Cluster is **Active**, open its **Overview** tab. Under **Cluster access**, click **Download kubeconfig**.

Point `kubectl` at the file and list your Nodes:

```bash theme={null}
kubectl --kubeconfig=./my-cluster-kubeconfig.yaml get nodes
```

You should see your Nodes listed, all in the `Ready` state.

**3. Deploy a Workload**

Apply a small Deployment to confirm the Cluster runs your Workloads:

```bash theme={null}
kubectl --kubeconfig=./my-cluster-kubeconfig.yaml create deployment hello \
  --image=nginx --replicas=2
```

Check that the Pods are running:

```bash theme={null}
kubectl --kubeconfig=./my-cluster-kubeconfig.yaml get pods -l app=hello
```

## Next steps

* Expose your Workload to the Internet with a LoadBalancer Service. See [Exposing Workloads](https://www.latitude.sh/docs/lks/exposing-workloads.md).
* Add, scale, or tune worker capacity. See [Node Pools](https://www.latitude.sh/docs/lks/node-pools.md).


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