> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://akua-1dce587a.mintlify.site/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Create a Managed Cluster

> Start provisioning a managed Kubernetes control plane for your workers

![A new cluster: Akua's managed control plane comes online in your chosen region, with empty worker slots awaiting machines](https://mintcdn.com/akua-1dce587a/KB6u5PJRNHAXrgro/images/heros/clusters-create-light.svg?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=KB6u5PJRNHAXrgro\&q=85\&s=2cb78e8d5c718de5ffadb0ee8bc61e53)

Create a managed Kubernetes cluster when you want Akua to operate the control plane (The control plane is the management layer of a Kubernetes cluster. It manages cluster state, schedules workloads, and handles API requests.) and you plan to connect your own servers as workers.

This task is for workspace members who need a new managed control plane. If you already operate a complete Kubernetes cluster, [import the existing cluster →](https://akua-1dce587a.mintlify.site/clusters/import.md) instead. If you already have a managed cluster and want to connect a server, [add a worker →](https://akua-1dce587a.mintlify.site/clusters/add-workers.md).

## Prerequisites

* A workspace in Akua.
* Access to the [clusters dashboard](https://akua.dev/clusters).

## Create the managed cluster

**1. Open managed-cluster creation**

In the [clusters dashboard](https://akua.dev/clusters), click **Create managed cluster**. The **Details** step opens.

**2. Enter cluster details**

Enter the two details for the managed control plane:

* **Cluster name**: Enter a name from 2 to 32 characters.
* **Region**: Select the region that will contain the cluster.

If the region doesn't exist, enter its name in the inline **Create a region** field and click **Create region**. The inline form asks only for the region name and selects the new region after creating it.

Click **Continue**.

**3. Review and start provisioning**

Review the workspace, cluster name, and region. Click **Create managed cluster** to submit the request.

**Cluster provisioning started** means Akua accepted the request. Provisioning continues in the background, so this result doesn't mean the cluster is ready. Open the cluster to follow its status.

## API

Manage clusters programmatically.

> **[Clusters API reference](https://akua-1dce587a.mintlify.site/api-reference/clusters/list-clusters.md)**
>
> Endpoints, parameters, response shapes, and try-it playground.

> **[Authentication](https://akua-1dce587a.mintlify.site/apis/authentication.md)**
>
> Mint API tokens for programmatic access.

## Related topics

> **[Add workers](https://akua-1dce587a.mintlify.site/clusters/add-workers.md)**
>
> Connect compute capacity to run your applications.

> **[Import an existing cluster](https://akua-1dce587a.mintlify.site/clusters/import.md)**
>
> Connect a Kubernetes cluster you already operate.

> **[Clusters overview](https://akua-1dce587a.mintlify.site/clusters.md)**
>
> Understand how clusters work in Akua.

> **[Regions](https://akua-1dce587a.mintlify.site/clusters/regions.md)**
>
> Organize clusters into regions for customers.


This documentation is built and hosted on [Mintlify](https://mintlify.com), a developer documentation platform.