Compute

Launch and manage virtual machine instances.

This guide walks you through creating an instance and connecting to it.

With an agent (MCP)

Connect the redu MCP, then just ask your agent. It runs plan_instance to resolve the image, flavor, and network for you (no opaque IDs to supply), then create_instance to launch the VM and get_ssh_command to hand you the SSH command. From there it can manage the instance with instance_action (start, stop, reboot), get_instance_logs, and delete_instance, and browse with list_instances, list_flavors, and list_images.


Create a medium Ubuntu instance called web-01 with my default keypair on the first available network, and give me the SSH command.

1. Create an instance

Go to:

Menu → Compute → Virtual Machines → Create Instance

Basic settings

Choose a meaningful name.

Example:


app-web-01

Image

Select an operating system image.

Example: Ubuntu

Flavor

Choose the instance size (CPU, RAM, disk).

Examples:

m1.medium
m1.large
m1.xlarge

Note:
Some images require specific flavors. If the launch button is disabled, try a different flavor.

Storage (optional)

Enable Attach new volume to create persistent storage.

Set size in GB
Optionally name the volume

See Storage

SSH access

Enable SSH to connect to your instance.

Select an existing keypair
Or create one → Keypairs

Requirements:

A keypair must be selected
Security group must allow SSH (port 22)

Security groups

Control network access (firewall rules).

Examples:

SSH → port 22
Web → ports 80 / 443

See Security Groups

Network

Select a private network.

A default network is created automatically.

See Networking

Domain

Leave the domain field empty to get an auto-generated .redu.cloud address, or click ⟳ Generate to pick one. You can add multiple DNS entries, each one creates a separate public endpoint on a different port.

Custom domains:

To use your own domain (e.g. app.yourcompany.com), you must verify ownership first. Go to Account → Domains, add your domain, and follow the TXT record verification steps. Once verified, type your domain in the DNS entry field, it will show a green badge confirming ownership.

See Custom Domains for the full verification guide.

Configuration script (optional)

Run setup commands on first boot.

Example:


#cloud-config
packages:
  - nginx
runcmd:
  - systemctl enable --now nginx

Launch

Review the summary and click Launch.

2. Manage instances

Go to:

Menu → Compute → Virtual Machines → Instances

Available actions:

Manage DNS
Delete instance

3. Connect via SSH

If SSH is enabled and a keypair is selected:


ssh -p <port> ubuntu@<host>

You can copy the command directly from the UI.

Troubleshooting

Launch button disabled

Missing required fields
Unsupported image/flavor combination

SSH not working

A keypair must be selected
Security group must allow port 22

Network missing

Create one in Networking