Provision a cloud server
Coolify can create a server in a connected Hetzner, DigitalOcean, or Vultr account. After the provider assigns an IP address, validate the server so Coolify can prepare it for deployments.
Selecting Buy & Create Server sends a server-creation request to the provider. The provider charges your account according to the selected plan and options.
What you need
Before you start:
- Follow Cloud Tokens to add a valid provider token.
- Open Keys & Tokens > Private Keys and create or import an SSH key.
- Confirm that the provider account can create servers and has a valid payment method.
Coolify uploads the selected public key to the provider when needed. It uses the root user and SSH port 22 for the new server.
Create the server
Choose a provider
- Select Servers in the Coolify sidebar.
- Select + Add.
- Select Hetzner, DigitalOcean, or Vultr.
- Select the cloud token for the provider account.
Configure the server
Complete the fields for your provider.
| Field | What to choose |
|---|---|
| Server Name | A recognizable name for the server. |
| Location | The Hetzner data center location. |
| Server Type | The server plan and resources. |
| Image | A supported Linux image. |
| Private Key | The SSH key Coolify will use. |
Under Advanced Hetzner Options, you can add extra SSH keys, firewalls, and private networks; control IPv4 and IPv6; enable Hetzner backups; and provide a cloud-init script.
Hetzner backups add 20% to the monthly server price.
If you need startup configuration, select a saved script or enter one in the cloud-init field. Read Cloud-Init Scripts before using this option.
Send the creation request
Review the selected plan and options, then select Buy & Create Server.
Coolify creates its server record immediately. The provider may take several minutes to create the machine and assign its public IP address.
Wait for the provider
Keep the server page open while Coolify checks the provider status and updates the server IP address.
Wait until:
- the provider reports that the server is running
- the server has its final reachable IP address
- SSH has had time to start
If the provider reports the machine as stopped or otherwise unavailable, power it on in the provider console or relink it before validation.
Validate the server
Select Validate Server & Install Docker Engine. Depending on the server state, the button may be labeled Validate Server.
Coolify checks SSH access, the operating system, required tools, Docker Engine, and Docker Compose. When validation finishes, confirm that the server is reachable and validated.
If provisioning fails
- Confirm that the cloud token is valid and has write permissions.
- Confirm that the provider account can create the selected plan in the selected region.
- Check provider quotas, account balance, and payment status.
- Confirm that the selected SSH key is valid.
- Open the provider console to determine whether the machine was created before retrying. Delete unwanted billable machines there.
For token-specific checks, follow Cloud Tokens troubleshooting.