Create a pool, buy compute time into it, and start your first GPU instance on SF Compute.

Install the CLI

Download and run the install script.

Log in

Authenticate the CLI.

This opens your browser to sign in and stores your credentials locally.

Check what you can buy

SKUs describe the hardware you can buy. List them and when each becomes available, 1 row per SKU.

NEXT AVAILABLE is the soonest instances become available and how many. Values are now (N), a time like Today, 8:00pm (4), or — when nothing is scheduled. NEXT 48H sparklines the schedule with the peak shown to the right.

Create an empty pool

A pool tracks your compute allocation over time. You buy compute time into a pool with orders, and instances on the pool run when there’s allocated time. Create a pool named dev.

Buy compute time

Place a buy order for compute time on your pool. The command guides you through each option interactively. You set the number of nodes (each node runs 1 instance), start time, duration, rate, and the SKU the order pins to. For this guide, choose a start time of now.

Check your order

List your orders and check the status.

List images

An image is the bootable disk template an instance starts from. You need an image name or ID to create an instance. List the images available to you.

SF Compute publishes public images with Ubuntu and CUDA pre-installed. You can also build and upload your own custom images.

Create an instance

First, create a startup script that injects your SSH key so you can connect to the instance.

Then create an instance on your pool with the public image.

Your pool already has compute time from the order you placed. Because you chose a start time of now, your instance gets its allocation within about a minute and begins booting. Compute ownership and instances are separate: you can terminate and recreate instances without losing your purchased compute time.

Watch your instance start

List your instances to watch the status. The NAME column shows the name you’ll use to connect.

The image download and boot process takes up to 10 minutes before SSH is available.

Connect via SSH

SSH in with the instance name from sf instances list.

Verify the GPUs are available.

Next steps

You now have a running GPU instance. Here are some things to try.

Sell back unused compute time

Place a sell order as a standing order. If someone buys it, you get credits back (minus a variable platform fee) and the instance loses its compute time.

Check your pool’s allocation schedule

See the compute time you own on the pool.

Learn more

• Instances and Pools explains the core model.
• Auto-scaling shows how to scale a fleet up and down while buying and selling time automatically.
• Pools, orders, and instances are the resource references for the commands used here.