# Create a Project > Learn about how to create a managed Directus project or self-host with Docker. There are several ways to start a new Directus project. This guide walks through the most common scenarios. If you want to compare all deployment paths (including one-click platform guides like Railway), see [How to Deploy Directus](/tutorials/self-hosting). New self-hosted instances run on the core tier by default. To unlock higher limits or additional features, [add a license](/licensing/overview). ## Directus Cloud Directus Cloud provides infrastructure from the team who builds Directus. Projects can be created in over 15 global deployment regions and feature autoscaling for improved availability. Create and login to your [Directus Cloud account](https://directus.cloud/). The very first time you log in to your Directus Cloud account, you will be prompted to create a team. Each Directus Cloud project exists within the scope of one team. Once started, it should take around 90 seconds for the Cloud project to be created. During this time, a link will be sent to the email associated with your Cloud account. The email will contain your project URL as well as an email and password to login. If you used GitHub to create your account, this will be the email address associated with your GitHub account. Login to your new project using the URL in your email inbox or on your Directus Cloud Dashboard. ## Docker Installation You will need Docker installed and running on your machine. You can [download it here](https://docs.docker.com/get-docker/). **What is Docker?** Docker is a developer tool that allows software-creators to distribute their work along with all dependencies and required environment settings. This means that applications can run reliably and consistently, making it the perfect way to use Directus both locally and in-production. As soon as there are new releases of Directus, we publish them on [Docker Hub](https://hub.docker.com/r/directus/directus). ### Quickstart Run the following command in your terminal: ```bash docker run -p 8055:8055 directus/directus ``` Directus should now be available at [http://localhost:8055](http://localhost:8055/) or [http://127.0.0.1:8055](http://127.0.0.1:8055/), where you'll see an onboarding screen to configure your first Admin account. ![Directus onbaording](/img/directus_setup.png) This quickstart allows you to explore Directus at a glance, but lacks many features including persistence. Once you stop the Docker container from running, any changes you’ve made will be lost. ### Docker Compose This is the recommended way to get started with Directus. Create a new empty directory on your machine called `directus`. Within this new directory, create the three empty sub-directories `database`, `uploads`, and `extensions`. Create a `docker-compose.yml` file in the `directus` directory: ```yaml [docker-compose.yml] services: directus: image: directus/directus:12.0.2 ports: - 8055:8055 volumes: - ./database:/directus/database - ./uploads:/directus/uploads - ./extensions:/directus/extensions environment: SECRET: "replace-with-random-value" DB_CLIENT: "sqlite3" DB_FILENAME: "/directus/database/data.db" WEBSOCKETS_ENABLED: "true" PUBLIC_URL: "http://localhost:8055/" LICENSE_KEY: "" ``` **Breakdown of Docker Compose File** - This file defines a single Docker container that will use the specified version of the `directus/directus` image. - The `ports` list maps internal port `8055` is made available to our machine using the same port number, meaning we can access it from our computer's browser. - The `volumes` section maps internal `directus/database` and `directus/uploads` to our local file system alongside the `docker-compose.yml` meaning data is backed up outside of Docker containers. - The `environment` section contains any [configuration environment variables](/configuration/general) we wish to set. - `SECRET` is required and should be a long random value. `SECRET` is used to sign access tokens. - `DB_CLIENT` and `DB_FILENAME` are defining the connection to your database. - `WEBSOCKETS_ENABLED` is not required, but enables [Directus Realtime](/getting-started/connect-to-realtime). - `PUBLIC_URL` is the full URL where your project is accessed. It's used to generate links, asset URLs, and redirects — and a license binds to it on first use, so set it accurately. - `LICENSE_KEY` is optional — leave empty for the core tier, or add your key to unlock a [licensed tier](/licensing/overview). Open the Terminal, navigate to your `directus` directory, and run the following command: ```text docker compose up ``` Directus should now be available at [http://localhost:8055](http://localhost:8055) or [http://127.0.0.1:8055](http://127.0.0.1:8055), where you'll see an onboarding screen to configure your first Admin account. The project that runs from this `docker-compose.yml` file is not production-ready but enough to use many features. ## Deploy Directus We also have a number of guides on self-hosting Directus on various cloud providers, like Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform. See how to deploy Directus (all options). ## Next Steps Now you have a project running, [learn how to create a data model](/getting-started/data-model), and then use the auto-generated APIs created by .