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

# How to Claim Your Free VPS on Opus Host | Get Started

> Step-by-step guide to claiming your free VPS on Opus Host — from creating your account to having a live server with credentials in under two minutes.

This page walks you through the complete process of claiming your free VPS on Opus Host — from creating your account all the way to having a live server with credentials in hand. The whole process takes under two minutes and requires nothing more than an email address.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Create your account">
    Navigate to the [Register](/account/register) page and fill in your chosen username, email address, and a secure password. After submitting the form, check your inbox for a verification email and click the confirmation link to activate your account.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Log in to the dashboard">
    Once your email is verified, sign in with your username and password. You'll land on the main Opus Host dashboard, which is your central hub for managing your VPS.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click &#x22;Claim VPS&#x22;">
    On the dashboard you'll see a large orange **Claim VPS** button near the top of the page. Click it to begin the provisioning process. Each Opus Host account is entitled to one free VPS at a time, so this button will only be available if you don't already have an active server.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose your operating system">
    Select the operating system you'd like installed on your VPS. The following options are typically available:

    * **Ubuntu 22.04 LTS** *(recommended for beginners)*
    * **Debian 11**
    * **CentOS 7**

    If you're not sure which to pick, go with **Ubuntu 22.04 LTS** — it has the largest community, the most online tutorials, and excellent out-of-the-box support for common software.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose a region">
    Select the server region that is geographically closest to you or your intended audience. Picking a nearby region minimizes network latency and gives you the best connection speeds.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Confirm and wait">
    Review your selections and click **Confirm**. Opus Host will begin provisioning your VPS immediately. This process typically takes **30–60 seconds**. You'll see a progress indicator on the dashboard while your server is being set up.
  </Step>

  <Step title="View your VPS details">
    Once provisioning is complete, the dashboard will display your server's details:

    * **IP address** — the public address used to connect to your VPS
    * **Username** — usually `root`
    * **Password** — the auto-generated password for your server

    You can now connect to your VPS via SSH or use the in-browser terminal from the control panel.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Warning>
  Save your VPS credentials (IP address, username, and password) somewhere safe as soon as they appear. You'll need them every time you connect via SSH. If you lose your password, you may need to contact support to have it reset.
</Warning>

<Note>
  Each free account can hold one active VPS at a time. If you want to claim a new VPS with a different operating system or region, you must delete your current VPS first — or reach out to support to discuss your options.
</Note>

## What happens next?

Now that your VPS is up and running, here's where to go from here.

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Quick Start Guide" icon="bolt" href="/quickstart">
    Connect to your VPS via SSH and run your first commands in under five minutes.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Control Panel Overview" icon="gauge" href="/panel/overview">
    Learn how to manage your VPS — start, stop, reboot, and monitor it from the web dashboard.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>