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This quickstart shows you how to deploy a CockroachDB cluster using free trial credits and run your first queries.

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Before You Begin

You’ll need:
  • A CockroachDB Cloud account (sign up at cockroachlabs.cloud)
  • A modern web browser
  • (Optional) Command-line access for SQL client connection

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Create a Free Trial Cluster

1

Sign Up

Navigate to cockroachlabs.cloud and create a new account or sign in with SSO.
2

Start Cluster Creation

Click Create Cluster from the Clusters page.
3

Select Plan

Choose Standard plan (recommended for trial) and click Next.
4

Configure Cluster

  • Cloud Provider: Select AWS or GCP
  • Regions: Choose a region close to you
  • Capacity: Use default settings (4-8 vCPUs recommended)
5

Apply Trial Credits

The 30-day trial code is automatically applied. Verify you see the trial credit on the summary.
6

Name and Create

Give your cluster a name and click Create cluster. Your cluster will be ready in 20-30 seconds.
Your trial includes $400 in credits, valid for 30 days. Be sure to delete your trial cluster before the trial expires to avoid charges.

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Create a SQL User

Before connecting to your cluster, you need to create a SQL user.
1

Navigate to SQL Users

From your cluster’s Overview page, click SQL Users in the left navigation.
2

Add New User

Click Add User and enter:
  • Username: Choose a username (e.g., myuser)
  • Password: Create a strong password
3

Save Credentials

Click Create and save your password securely. You won’t be able to view it again.

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Authorize Your Network

CockroachDB Cloud requires you to authorize networks that can connect to your cluster.
1

Go to Networking

Click Networking in the left navigation.
2

Add Your IP

Click Add Network and select Current Network to automatically add your current IP address.
3

Configure Access

  • Give it a descriptive name (e.g., “My Office”)
  • Select CockroachDB Client to allow SQL connections
  • Click Apply
For production use, remove the 0.0.0.0/0 allowlist entry and add only specific IP ranges your applications will use.

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Connect to Your Cluster

You can connect to your cluster using the cockroach SQL client or any PostgreSQL-compatible driver.

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Using CockroachDB SQL Client

1

Download the Client

Download the CockroachDB binary for your operating system from the Connect dialog.
# On macOS
curl https://binaries.cockroachdb.com/cockroach-latest.darwin-10.9-amd64.tgz | tar -xz

# On Linux
curl https://binaries.cockroachdb.com/cockroach-latest.linux-amd64.tgz | tar -xz
2

Get Connection String

Click Connect in the Console and select CockroachDB Client. Copy the connection command provided.
3

Connect

Run the connection command in your terminal:
cockroach sql --url "postgresql://myuser:[email protected]:26257/defaultdb?sslmode=verify-full"

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Using Application Connection

For connecting from your application, select your language from the Connect dialog: 
const { Client } = require('pg');

const client = new Client({
  connectionString: process.env.DATABASE_URL,
});

client.connect();

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Run Your First Query

Once connected, try running some SQL commands: 
-- Create a database
CREATE DATABASE bank;

-- Use the database
USE bank;

-- Create a table
CREATE TABLE accounts (
  id UUID PRIMARY KEY DEFAULT gen_random_uuid(),
  balance DECIMAL(10,2)
);

-- Insert data
INSERT INTO accounts (balance) VALUES (1000.50), (2500.75), (500.00);

-- Query data
SELECT * FROM accounts;
You should see output like: 
                   id                  | balance
---------------------------------------+----------
  3a8b9c7d-1234-5678-90ab-cdef12345678 | 1000.50
  4b9c8d7e-2345-6789-01bc-def123456789 | 2500.75
  5c0d9e8f-3456-7890-12cd-ef1234567890 |  500.00
(3 rows)

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Monitor Your Cluster

You can monitor your cluster’s performance in the Cloud Console:
  • Overview: View cluster health and key metrics
  • Metrics: Detailed performance charts
  • SQL Activity: Monitor queries and transactions
  • Insights: Performance recommendations

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Clean Up

When you’re done experimenting:
1

Disable Deletion Protection

Navigate to the cluster’s Overview page and disable deletion protection if enabled.
2

Delete the Cluster

Click Actions > Delete cluster and confirm.
Deleting a cluster permanently removes all data. Make sure to back up any important data before deletion.

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Next Steps

Build an App

Build a sample application

Migrate Data

Migrate your existing data

Learn SQL

Learn CockroachDB SQL

Manage Users

Create and manage SQL users

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