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

# Quickstart

> Create a PostgreSQL service and connect to it in a few minutes

This guide takes you from a new account to a running PostgreSQL service you can connect to.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Sign up and choose a plan">
    Create an account at [sabaothcloud.com/signup](https://sabaothcloud.com/signup). After signing up you are asked to choose a plan for your personal organization. You can pick one now or select **Skip for now** and do it later from **Billing**.

    See [Signing up and signing in](/authentication) for details.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Start a new service">
    On the dashboard, click **New Service** and choose **PostgreSQL**.

    <Frame>
      <img src="https://mintcdn.com/sabaoth-cloud/SLIo1NiqFbpjv2jf/images/new-service-dialog.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=SLIo1NiqFbpjv2jf&q=85&s=1042d3a9f4b89c1ae0259a80cb0b26e9" alt="The New Service dialog with PostgreSQL selected" width="2880" height="1800" data-path="images/new-service-dialog.png" />
    </Frame>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Name the service and pick a size">
    Enter a **Service Name** such as `orders-db`, then choose a **Quick Preset** or adjust CPU, memory and storage with the sliders. The panel at the top shows how much of your plan is left.

    <Frame>
      <img src="https://mintcdn.com/sabaoth-cloud/SLIo1NiqFbpjv2jf/images/create-step-1.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=SLIo1NiqFbpjv2jf&q=85&s=3986b408807f33454d0197f381c55e8c" alt="Step 1 of creating a service: name and resources" width="2880" height="2500" data-path="images/create-step-1.png" />
    </Frame>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose a version and confirm backups">
    Keep the recommended PostgreSQL version unless you need another one. Automated backups are on by default.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Review and create">
    Check the summary and click **Create Service**. The service shows **Provisioning** while it is set up, which usually takes a couple of minutes, then **Ready**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create a database user">
    Open the service, go to the **Users** tab and click **Create User**. Copy the password when it is shown, because it is displayed only once.

    See [Database users](/dashboard/database-users).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Connect">
    Open the **Networking** tab to copy the host, port and database name, or a ready-made connection string. To connect from outside SabaothCloud, click **Expose to Internet** and add your IP address to the allowlist.

    ```bash theme={null}
    psql "postgresql://app_service:YOUR_PASSWORD@HOST:5432/DATABASE?sslmode=require"
    ```

    See [Networking and connecting](/dashboard/networking).
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Next steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Back up your data" icon="clock-rotate-left" href="/dashboard/backups">
    Check your backup schedule and learn how to restore.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Enable connection pooling" icon="layer-group" href="/dashboard/connection-pooling">
    Handle many short-lived connections efficiently.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Invite your team" icon="users" href="/dashboard/members">
    Give teammates access with the right role.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Use the API" icon="key" href="/dashboard/api-keys">
    Create an API key for scripts and CI pipelines.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>


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