# Launch your first instance on CubeCOS

> Learn how to launch your first virtual machine instance after installing CubeCOS—step-by-step guidance for new users and test deployments.

## Verify the installation {#1-verify-the-installation}

Confirm that your CubeCOS installation finished successfully and that the cluster is healthy and ready.

## Download the image {#2-download-the-image}

Download the Ubuntu 24.04 image from the [Cloud Image](../downloads/cloud_image) downloads page.

## Import the image {#3-import-the-image}

To upload and register the downloaded image, follow the [Import image](../compute/images/import-images#import-cloud-images-from-bigstack-workflow) guide.

## Create a project {#4-create-a-project}

Create a tenant project by following the [Create a new project](../identity/project.md) guide.

## Assign a user to the project {#5-assign-a-user-to-the-project}

After you create the project, grant access to it by following the [Assign user to project](../identity/assign-to-project.md) guide.

## Create a private network {#6-create-a-private-network}

To isolate your instance, create a private network by following the [Create private network](../network/private_network.md) guide.

## Create a key pair {#7-create-a-key-pair}

Create an SSH key pair so you can log in to the instance. Follow the [Create keypairs](../compute/create_keypair.md) guide. Linux cloud images, such as Ubuntu 24.04, authenticate with an SSH key instead of a password.

## Configure a security group {#8-configure-a-security-group}

Instances reject inbound traffic by default. To allow SSH (TCP 22) and, optionally, ICMP for ping, follow the [Create a security group allowing SSH](../network/security_group#create-a-security-group-allow-ssh-from-any-ip) guide.

## Create an instance {#9-create-an-instance}

Launch your first Ubuntu 24.04 virtual machine by following the [Create instances](../compute/instances.md) guide. Attach the key pair and security group that you created in the previous steps.

## Access the instance console {#10-access-the-instance-console}

To watch the instance boot, open its console using the [NoVNC console access](../compute/novnc_console.md) guide.

:::info[Console login]

Linux cloud images don't have a console password. Log in with your attached key pair over SSH instead, as described in the next step. For Windows console and password login, see [Set password](../operating_system/setting_password.md).

:::

## Access the instance over SSH {#11-access-the-instance-over-ssh}

Assign a [floating IP](../network/floating_ip.md) address from the `public` network, then log in using your key pair:

```bash
ssh -i <your-key> <user>@<floating-ip>
```

You can then verify that the instance has outbound internet access.