> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://vastai-80aa3a82-ltxv2-serverless.mintlify.site/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Welcome to Vast.ai

> Step-by-step Vast.ai developer documentation with examples, guides, and API references.

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# Vast.ai

[Vast.ai](https://www.vast.ai) is a marketplace for affordable GPU cloud computing. We make it easy for anyone to:

* Spin up GPU instances in seconds at competitive [prices](/documentation/instances/pricing).
* Scale across thousands of GPUs from [Secure Cloud datacenters](https://cloud.vast.ai/create/?instanceDiskSizeMin=16\&instanceDurationMin=259200\&instanceType=onDemand\&isAvxSupported=false\&isHostSecure=true\&isMachineIpStatic=false\&isOfferAvailable=true\&isOfferCompatible=true\&isOfferVerified=true\&isQueryInverted=false\&machineReliabilityMin=0.9\&sorts=score-desc) or community providers.
* Launch [prebuilt](/documentation/templates/introduction) or [custom templates](/documentation/templates/creating-templates) with one click.

## How It Works

Vast.ai connects compute providers — from hobbyists to Tier-4 datacenters — with users who need GPUs. Our [search engine](/documentation/instances/choosing/find-and-rent) lets you filter by GPU type, RAM, CPU, bandwidth, and more, while providers retain full control over [pricing](/documentation/instances/pricing) and [contracts](/documentation/instances/choosing/instance-types).

## Get Started

<Card title="Quickstart Guide" href="/documentation/get-started/quickstart" icon="rocket">
  Launch your first GPU instance in minutes with our step-by-step guide
</Card>

## GPU Instances

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Overview" href="/documentation/instances/overview" icon="server">
    Learn about GPU instances, containers, and compute options
  </Card>

  <Card title="Pricing" href="/documentation/instances/pricing" icon="tag">
    Understand marketplace pricing and cost optimization strategies
  </Card>

  <Card title="Find & Rent" href="/documentation/instances/choosing/find-and-rent" icon="search">
    Search and rent the perfect GPU for your workload
  </Card>

  <Card title="Connect" href="/documentation/instances/connect/overview" icon="plug">
    Access instances via SSH, Jupyter, or web portal
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Common Tasks

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Templates Guide" href="/documentation/templates/introduction" icon="layer-group">
    Learn about pre-built environments and customization
  </Card>

  <Card title="Data Movement" href="/documentation/instances/storage/data-movement" icon="arrows">
    Transfer files to and from your instances
  </Card>

  <Card title="Reserved Instances" href="/documentation/instances/choosing/reserved-instances" icon="calendar">
    Save up to 50% with long-term commitments
  </Card>

  <Card title="Manage Instances" href="/documentation/instances/manage-instances" icon="server">
    Start, stop, and monitor your GPU rentals
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Mission

Vast.ai's mission is to align and democratize AI. Machine learning is progressing towards powerful AI systems with the potential to radically reshape our future. We believe it is imperative that this awesome power be distributed widely; that its benefits accrue to the many rather than the few; that its secrets are unlocked for the good of all humanity. Towards these ends we work to ensure that the compute powering AI is supplied by the people and for the people.

## Talk to Us

* **Support Chat** → Available 24/7 in the bottom-right corner of our [console](https://cloud.vast.ai).
* **Email** → [contact@vast.ai](mailto:contact@vast.ai)
* **Discord** → Join our [community](https://discord.gg/vast) for help and discussions.
* **Documentation** → Browse our [instances guide](/documentation/instances/overview), [templates documentation](/documentation/templates/introduction), or [troubleshooting tips](/documentation/reference/troubleshooting).