--- title: "Create a cluster" description: "Step-by-step guide to create and configure new free or Shared Cloud clusters." url: https://docs.weaviate.io/cloud/manage-clusters/create --- # Create a cluster [Weaviate Cloud (WCD)](https://docs.weaviate.io/go/console?utm_content=cloud) provides two cluster types. - **[Free clusters](https://docs.weaviate.io/cloud/manage-clusters/create#free-clusters)**: Free clusters are free forever and need no credit card, which makes them the easiest way to get started. They are perfect for learning, hobby projects, and small workloads, and you can upgrade to a paid plan at any time without losing your data. See the [free tier allowance](https://docs.weaviate.io/cloud/manage-clusters/create#free-tier-allowance) below. - **[Shared Cloud clusters](https://docs.weaviate.io/cloud/manage-clusters/create#shared-cloud-clusters)**: Shared Cloud clusters are robust, paid clusters designed for production use. When you log into the Weaviate Cloud web console, you land on the [Overview](https://docs.weaviate.io/cloud/console-overview) page. The `Database` card lists your clusters, and the `CLUSTER` selector in the left sidebar switches between them. A new account has no clusters yet. You can also create a free cluster from a terminal or an AI coding agent with the [wcloud CLI](https://docs.weaviate.io/cloud/manage-clusters/cli). ## Free clusters Free clusters are the easiest way to start building with Weaviate. They are free forever, need no credit card, and are ideal for learning, hobby projects, and small workloads. Each user can create one free cluster, and you can upgrade to a paid plan at any time without losing your data. The free tier includes an allowance for the database, [Weaviate Embeddings](https://docs.weaviate.io/cloud/embeddings), and the [Query Agent](https://docs.weaviate.io/query-agent). The create-cluster form shows the current allowance as you create the cluster. ### Free tier allowance As of September 2026. The [pricing page](https://weaviate.io/pricing) is the authority for current limits. | Resource | Allowance | | - | - | | Clusters | 1 free cluster per user, always free | | Object limit | 100,000 objects | | Collections | 1 | | Tenants | Up to 3 | | Embedding service | Up to 2,000 requests daily | | Query Agent | 1,000 requests per month | [Embedded content](https://app.guideflow.com/embed/3r3vg6mcnp) **Steps to create a free cluster** To create a free cluster, follow these steps: 1. Click the `+` button next to the `CLUSTER` label in the left sidebar. 2. Select the `Free` option. 3. Choose a name for your cluster. 4. The [optimization profile](https://docs.weaviate.io/cloud/manage-clusters/create#optimization-profile) is set to `Cost Optimized` for free clusters. 5. Configure the `Advanced configuration` settings if needed (AWS region, auto schema generation, and CORS settings). 6. Click the `Create cluster` button. #### Advanced cluster configuration The following advanced configuration settings are available: - AWS region. Free clusters run on AWS, and you select the region. - [`Enable auto schema generation`](https://docs.weaviate.io/weaviate/config-refs/collections#auto-schema) - `Allow all CORS origins` The [MCP server](https://docs.weaviate.io/weaviate/configuration/mcp-server#weaviate-cloud) is always enabled on Weaviate Cloud clusters. The `Enable MCP Read-Only` switch, which restricts it to its read tools, is off by default (so the write tool is available) and is not part of the free cluster creation form. Set it after creation from the cluster's `Advanced configuration`, no restart needed. > [!NOTE] > > **Free cluster lifecycle** > > A free cluster runs for as long as you use it. After **7 days of inactivity**, the cluster is **suspended** and your data is preserved. You can reactivate a suspended cluster from the [Weaviate Cloud console](https://console.weaviate.cloud/). > > If a cluster stays inactive, it is permanently deleted after **30 days** of total inactivity (about 23 days after it is suspended). Weaviate sends a warning email **1 day before** the cluster is deleted. To keep a cluster running indefinitely, or to run production workloads, [upgrade to a paid plan](https://weaviate.io/pricing). ## Shared Cloud clusters Shared Cloud clusters require billing details. Weaviate Cloud prompts you to add billing details if you have not already added them. [Embedded content](https://app.guideflow.com/embed/9r250xgior) **Steps to create a Shared Cloud cluster** To create a Shared Cloud cluster, follow these steps: 1. Click the `+` button next to the `CLUSTER` label in the left sidebar. 2. Select the `Shared Cloud` option. 3. Choose a name for your cluster. 4. Select an [optimization profile](https://docs.weaviate.io/cloud/manage-clusters/create#optimization-profile) (`Cost Optimized` or `Performance Optimized`). 5. Configure the `Advanced configuration` settings if needed (cloud provider and region, auto schema generation, CORS, and the MCP read-only setting). 6. Click the `Create cluster` button. #### Advanced configuration for Shared Cloud clusters The following advanced configuration settings are available: - Cloud provider and region. Shared Cloud clusters can run on AWS or GCP. - [`Enable auto schema generation`](https://docs.weaviate.io/weaviate/config-refs/collections#auto-schema) - `Allow all CORS origins` - [`Enable MCP Read-Only`](https://docs.weaviate.io/weaviate/configuration/mcp-server#weaviate-cloud) The [MCP server](https://docs.weaviate.io/weaviate/configuration/mcp-server#weaviate-cloud) is always enabled on Weaviate Cloud clusters. `Enable MCP Read-Only` is off by default, so the write tool is available. Turn it on to restrict the server to its read tools, on the creation form or at any time after creation without a restart. ## Optimization profile When you create a cluster, the **Optimization profile** sets the default [vector index](https://docs.weaviate.io/weaviate/concepts/vector-index) and [compression](https://docs.weaviate.io/weaviate/configuration/compression) for new collections in that cluster. Choose the profile that matches your workload: - **Cost Optimized**: Uses the **[HFresh](https://docs.weaviate.io/weaviate/concepts/vector-index#hfresh-index)** vector index for a lower memory footprint and reduced storage costs. Suitable for small or non-latency-sensitive workloads. - **Performance Optimized**: Uses the **HNSW** vector index for efficient in-memory retrieval that balances speed and search quality. Suitable for most workloads. The optimization profile only sets the *default* for new collections. You can still configure the [vector index and compression for each collection](https://docs.weaviate.io/weaviate/manage-collections/vector-config) when you create it. > [!NOTE] > > **Free clusters** > > Index type and compression are enforced on the free tier: free clusters use the **Cost Optimized** (HFresh) profile. To choose your own optimization profile, including **Performance Optimized** (HNSW), [upgrade to Shared](https://weaviate.io/pricing). ## Authentication Weaviate Cloud clusters use API key authentication. The authentication approach depends on whether [RBAC (Role-Based Access Control)](https://docs.weaviate.io/weaviate/configuration/rbac) is enabled: #### Authentication with RBAC enabled New clusters with Weaviate version `v1.30` (or later) have RBAC enabled by default. With RBAC enabled, you create API keys with specific roles for granular access control. When you develop your client application, use an API key to connect your client to the cluster. For detailed instructions on finding and managing your API keys, including creating new keys and managing roles, check out this guide: - **[Manage clusters: Authentication](https://docs.weaviate.io/cloud/manage-clusters/authentication)** #### Authentication with RBAC disabled (deprecated) If RBAC is not enabled (before `v1.30`), clusters use the traditional approach with two default API keys: - **Admin keys**: Provide read-write access to the database - **ReadOnly keys**: Provide read-only access to the database ## Weaviate Database version When you provision a new cluster, Weaviate Cloud uses the latest version of Weaviate to set up the new cluster. There may be a short delay between the release of a new Weaviate version and its availability in Weaviate Cloud. Weaviate Cloud automatically updates existing clusters as new Weaviate versions become available. For more details on Weaviate Cloud versioning, see: - **[Account management: Server version](https://docs.weaviate.io/cloud/platform/version)**. ## Number of clusters Each user can create one (1) free cluster. By default, an organization can have up to six (6) Shared Cloud clusters at the same time. To change these limits, [contact support](https://support.weaviate.io). ## Support If you use **Weaviate Cloud** (Database cluster(s) or Weaviate product in the cloud) or have a self-hosted support package, open a ticket in the [Support Portal](https://support.weaviate.io) or email [Weaviate support](mailto:support@weaviate.io) directly. To add a [support plan](https://weaviate.io/support-plans), contact [Weaviate sales](https://weaviate.io/pricing#contact-sales). Use the **Support Portal** for direct help from the Weaviate team: open and track tickets, and we'll respond in line with your support plan. The **Community Forum** is open to everyone, and a great place to ask questions, get help with your cluster, and connect with other developers. For all the ways to get help, see the [Support overview](https://docs.weaviate.io/support). [Weaviate Support Portal](https://support.weaviate.io): Direct help from the Weaviate team for Weaviate Cloud. Open and track tickets in the Support Portal. [Weaviate Community Forum](https://forum.weaviate.io/c/support): Ask questions, share ideas, and connect with other developers on our Community forum.