# Quickstart

> Create a cloud instance with pre-installed Wandelbots NOVA, then connect your instance to NOVA Cloud so it appears in the fleet. Connecting works the same way for cloud instances, virtual machines, and industrial PCs.

This quickstart takes you to a running Wandelbots NOVA instance that is connected to NOVA Cloud.

> **Info:** You need a NOVA account with a license assigned to it. If you don't have one yet, start with
> [Accounts](/nova-cloud/accounts).

### Step 1: Create a cloud instance

Cloud instances come with Wandelbots NOVA OS pre-installed, so nothing is installed on your machine.
Skip this section if you already run Wandelbots NOVA OS on a virtual machine or an industrial PC, see
[Install Wandelbots NOVA](/nova/latest/installation/installation).

1. Log in to [NOVA Cloud](https://portal.wandelbots.io) and open the `Cloud instances` tab.
2. Create a cloud instance.\
   This may take a moment.
   → The first time you create an instance, you're prompted to activate your license.
3. Confirm the license activation.

### Step 2: Open the instance

Once the instance is running, click `Open`.

→ The Wandelbots NOVA OS home screen opens in a new tab.

The home screen is the starting point for all work on the instance: cells, robots, programs,
apps, and the Wandelbots NOVA API.

## Connect your instance to NOVA Cloud

Connecting an instance to NOVA Cloud is adding your instance to the fleet and lets you assign users to it.
The steps are identical for cloud instances, virtual machines, and industrial PCs.

You need a [NOVA account](/nova-cloud/accounts) with a license that includes NOVA Cloud access and the Admin or Developer role. Managing
the cloud connection is a Developer-level permission, see
[Roles and permissions](/nova-cloud/roles-and-permissions).

### Step 1: Connect instance to NOVA Cloud

On your NOVA OS instance, enable the cloud connection in the Setup app.

### Step 2: Verify connection

Log in to [NOVA Cloud](https://portal.wandelbots.io).

→ The instance is displayed in [the fleet](/nova-cloud/guides/fleet-management).

### Step 3: Assign users

Assign NOVA account holders to the instance and to its cells.

Admins have access to all cells. Developers and Operators must be assigned to a cell to work in
it. See [Roles and permissions](/nova-cloud/roles-and-permissions) and
[Scopes](/nova-cloud/scopes).

In restricted networks, the instance needs internet access to reach NOVA Cloud. Allow the hosts
listed in [Install behind a proxy](/nova/latest/installation/proxy). Fleets that are rolled out in
larger numbers can register instances through the NOVA Cloud API instead of the Setup app. The
public API provides instance registration and registration tokens, so an instance can register
itself without interactive login. See the [API reference](/nova-cloud/api-reference).

## Next steps

- Add a robot to your cell and move it in the [Wandelbots NOVA quickstart](/nova/latest/quickstart).
- Write your first robot program with the [Developer quickstart](/developer/quickstart).
- Learn what a cloud instance can and cannot do, including its lifetime and limits, in
  [Cloud instances](/nova-cloud/cloud-instances).