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

# Create a Kubernetes Cluster on AION

> Get a GPU-backed Kubernetes cluster running on AION, retrieve the admin kubeconfig and connect kubectl.

#### Step 1: Open the Kubernetes page

Start by navigating to AION and opening the Kubernetes console.

1. In the left navigation, click `Kubernetes` (under `Home`).
2. The Kubernetes page shows a world map and region cards with available GPU clusters, GPU types, and pricing.

You will see cards for each region describing GPU type, availability, RAM, interconnect and price.

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/aion-7ea50436/3ZV6BI4fXoNXgg-d/gifs/k8s-provision.gif?s=5a2d25eed1fd7d7f241f994ec3aa98fd" width="500" data-path="gifs/k8s-provision.gif" />

#### Step 2: Choose a region / cluster and provision

1. Browse the available region cards and the interactive map. Each card displays:
   * `GPU type` (H100, H200, etc.)
   * `Availability`
   * `RAM` / `Interconnect` / `Storage`
   * `Price per hour`
2. Select the region / cluster that matches your GPU, memory, and price requirements.
3. Click `Provision` on the card for the region/cluster you want to deploy.

After you click `Provision`, you will move to the project selection step.

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/aion-7ea50436/3ZV6BI4fXoNXgg-d/images/screens/k8s-provision.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=3ZV6BI4fXoNXgg-d&q=85&s=fffda70b0e35712009202745acdb0d72" width="500" data-path="images/screens/k8s-provision.png" />

#### Step 3: Create or select a project

You must either pick an existing project or create a new one before launching a cluster.

1. On the Project step, either choose `Existing Projects` or expand `Create New Project`.

2. If creating a new project, fill in:
   * `Project Name` (required)
   * `Project Description` (optional)

3. Click `Next` to proceed to the cluster configuration step.

Your project will appear in the project dropdown when creating or managing clusters.

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/aion-7ea50436/3ZV6BI4fXoNXgg-d/images/screens/k8s-project.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=3ZV6BI4fXoNXgg-d&q=85&s=e67f14f8b78a9c850a56b9b9561b1143" width="500" data-path="images/screens/k8s-project.png" />

#### Step 4: Configure the cluster and launch

Define the cluster configuration and launch it.

1. Fill the cluster configuration fields shown in the UI:
   * `Cluster Name`: A friendly name such as `myfirstk8s`
   * `Nodes`: Use the **– / +** controls to set the number of nodes
   * `Image`: Select a base image (for deep learning stacks this may include PyTorch/CUDA)
   * `SSH Key`: Select the public key you uploaded earlier
   * `Kubernetes Version`: Choose the desired K8s version
   * `CNI Plugin`, `Pod CIDR`, `Service CIDR` and other network fields
2. Review the **Estimated total cost** shown in the summary panel on the right.
3. Click the green `Launch` button to create the cluster.

The cluster will show a status such as `Initializing` while nodes come up.

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/aion-7ea50436/3ZV6BI4fXoNXgg-d/gifs/k8s-launch.gif?s=c20555eecca2a630a6c7af0c6103714d" width="500" data-path="gifs/k8s-launch.gif" />

#### Step 5: Retrieve the Kubeconfig command

Once the cluster is created it will appear in the `Current cluster` section.

1. Open the cluster details from the Current cluster list.
2. Click `KubeConfig` (or the KubeConfig button). A dialog appears containing a command you can run from your workstation to print the admin kubeconfig.

The dialog contains a command resembling:

```bash theme={null}
ssh -o StrictHostKeyChecking=no -i <path-to-your-ssh-private-key> ubuntu@k8s-<cluster-id>.groundcontrol-aion.xyz sudo cat /etc/kubernetes/admin.conf
```

Click `Copy command` or copy the command manually.

> `Important:` Use the exact host and user shown in the dialog. Replace `<path-to-your-ssh-private-key>` with the path to your private key on your workstation.

#### Step 6: Save the kubeconfig locally and connect with kubectl

Run the SSH command (copied in Step 5) locally and redirect the output to a file to save the admin kubeconfig.

```bash theme={null}
# Replace the key path and host with the values from the UI
ssh -o StrictHostKeyChecking=no -i ~/.ssh/id_rsa ubuntu@k8s-<cluster-id>.groundcontrol-aion.xyz 'sudo cat /etc/kubernetes/admin.conf' > ~/kubeconfig.yaml
```

Now use the kubeconfig with `kubectl`:

```bash theme={null}
# Temporarily use the kubeconfig for the current shell
export KUBECONFIG=~/kubeconfig.yaml
kubectl get nodes

# Or reference directly without exporting
kubectl --kubeconfig=~/kubeconfig.yaml get nodes
```

#### Step 7: (Optional) SSH into a node

If you need to debug at the node level:

```bash theme={null}
ssh -i ~/.ssh/id_rsa ubuntu@<INSTANCE_PUBLIC_IP>
```

Important: Always keep your private SSH key secure. Use chmod 600 \~/.ssh/id\_rsa to set correct permissions. Do not share your private key.