Skip to main content

Create a Kubernetes Cluster

Create a managed Kubernetes cluster from the MyAccount portal. You configure the master node and network first, then add one or more worker node pools, and finally launch the cluster.

Before you start, review Kubernetes Concepts for master/worker roles, node pools, and networking.

Open the Create Page​

  1. Log in to MyAccount.
  2. In the left navigation, go to Compute > Kubernetes.
  3. Select Create New Cluster (top right). This opens the cluster configuration page.

Step 1 - Master Node and Network​

Cluster Name​

Enter a Cluster Name. The name can be up to 50 characters and may contain letters, digits, underscores, and hyphens.

Kubernetes Version​

Select a Kubernetes Version from the list. Each entry shows the version's release number. The cluster version is fixed for the life of the cluster - you cannot change it later (you can only upgrade the master plan, not the Kubernetes version).

warning

If you change the selected version after you have already configured worker node pools, the portal warns that changing the Kubernetes version removes all worker node pools you configured. Choose your version before building pools.

Master Node Plan​

Choose the plan for the master (control plane) node. Each plan is shown as a pricing card:

  • On-Demand - hourly billing with no commitment, shown with a per-hour and per-month rate.
  • Committed - a fixed-term plan at a reduced rate. Committed cards show the term (for example, 3 Months) and a Save X% badge.

If you select a committed plan, a preference panel appears asking what should happen after the committed period ends:

  • Auto-renew the committed plan - renew the same committed plan automatically.
  • Switch to hourly billing - fall back to the standard hourly rate.

If a plan is temporarily unavailable, use the Request button to place a request for it.

For more on committed billing, see Committed Plans.

Private Cloud

On accounts with a private cluster, you can choose Private Cloud instead of an E2E plan and define a custom SKU (vCPU, memory, and storage) for nodes on your dedicated hosts. See Create a Node on a Private Cluster for the private cluster model.

Network Settings​

Selecting a VPC is mandatory. All master and worker nodes get private IPs from the selected VPC's IP pool.

  • Choose the Default VPC or a Custom VPC.
  • For a custom VPC, you can optionally choose a Subnet.

Advanced Settings​

Expand Advanced Settings to configure:

  • Security Group - a security group is preselected. To use a different one, choose it from the list. The attached security group must allow TCP port 6443 (and the cluster's other required ports), or the API server and kubectl clients cannot connect. See Security Groups.
  • Encryption - select Enable Encryption to encrypt the cluster at rest. A passphrase is optional. See Encryption.

Step 2 - Worker Node Pools​

At least one worker node pool is required. Select Add Pool to open the pool configuration drawer. You can add multiple pools (up to 10 per cluster).

For each pool, configure:

  • Pool name.
  • Plan / family - a CPU (compute) or GPU worker plan.
  • Pool type - Static (fixed) or Autoscale.

Static (Fixed) Pool​

Set the Worker Count - the fixed number of worker nodes in the pool. A compute pool requires at least 2 nodes; a GPU pool can run with 1. The maximum is 25 nodes per pool.

Autoscale Pool​

  1. Enable Autoscaling.
  2. Set the desired (minimum) and maximum number of worker nodes.
  3. Define a scaling policy that controls when the pool scales up or down. Choose one of:
    • Elastic Policy - scale on resource utilization (CPU or Memory) or a custom parameter.
    • Scheduled Policy - scale on a recurring schedule (cron).
    • Elastic and Scheduled Policy - combine both.

The full set of scaling options - default vs custom elastic policies, watch period, period duration, cooldown, the custom-parameter cURL workflow, and scheduled recurrence - is documented in Autoscaling.

Each configured pool appears as a card showing its configuration, worker count (or min–max range for autoscale), and pricing. Use the card's edit and delete icons to adjust or remove a pool before launching.

Step 3 - Review and Launch​

The Summary sidebar shows the master plan, worker pools, and estimated cost as you configure.

When everything is set, select Create Cluster. Provisioning takes a few minutes. When it completes, you are returned to the Kubernetes list where you can monitor the cluster's status.

After the cluster reaches Running, download the kubeconfig and connect with kubectl.

Troubleshooting​

ProblemCause / fix
Create button is disabledRequired fields are incomplete - confirm the cluster name, version, master plan, a VPC, and at least one worker pool.
Cluster stuck or fails during creationA blocked security group (missing port 6443/8472), insufficient credits, or a temporarily unavailable plan. See Troubleshoot Kubernetes.
Kubernetes option not availableThe region may not support Kubernetes.
kubectl cannot connect after launchEnsure the attached security group allows TCP port 6443.
ResourceUse it for
Connect to a Clusterkubeconfig, kubectl, and the dashboard.
AutoscalingElastic, custom, and scheduled scaling policies.
Manage Node PoolsAdd, edit, resize, and delete pools after launch.
Manage KubernetesThe full management surface.
Last updated on June 24, 2026.