> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.i3d.net/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.i3d.net/compute/flexvm/creating-a-cloud-and-nodes.md).

# Creating a Cloud and Nodes

## Create a Cloud via the API

Use the `POST /v3/flexVM/clouds` endpoint with a JSON body.

**Example request:**

```http
POST /v3/flexVM/clouds
Host: api.i3d.net
PRIVATE-TOKEN: YOUR_API_KEY
Content-Type: application/json

{
  "name": "My private cloud",
  "description": "A cloud I would like to use to create VMs in.",
  "site": "frmtl1",
  "instance_type": "bm9.hmm.gpu.4rtx4000.64"
}
```

{% hint style="info" %}
Response (201 Created) returns the created Cloud object.
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="warning" %}
A 409 Conflict is returned when a Cloud with the same name already exists.
{% endhint %}

## Deleting a Cloud

Use the `DELETE /v3/flexVM/clouds/{cloudUuid}` endpoint.

**Example request:**

```http
DELETE /v3/flexVM/clouds/{cloudUuid}
Host: api.i3d.net
PRIVATE-TOKEN: YOUR_API_KEY
```

{% hint style="info" %}
Response (204 No Content) is returned on success.
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="danger" %}
A Cloud cannot be deleted while it still has active VMs.
{% endhint %}

## Scaling Nodes

Nodes are the bare-metal servers that provide the capacity for your Cloud's VMs. You scale a Cloud by adding or removing Nodes. New Nodes use the Cloud's instance type and location, so no request body is required.

### Add a Node

Use the `POST /v3/flexVM/clouds/{cloudUuid}/nodes` endpoint.

**Example request:**

```http
POST /v3/flexVM/clouds/{cloudUuid}/nodes
Host: api.i3d.net
PRIVATE-TOKEN: YOUR_API_KEY
```

{% hint style="info" %}
Response (201 Created) returns the new Node object. The Node is provisioned asynchronously and becomes available to host VMs once provisioning completes; retrieve it with `GET /v3/flexVM/clouds/{cloudUuid}/nodes/{nodeUuid}`.
{% endhint %}

### Remove a Node

Use the `DELETE /v3/flexVM/clouds/{cloudUuid}/nodes/{nodeUuid}` endpoint.

**Example request:**

```http
DELETE /v3/flexVM/clouds/{cloudUuid}/nodes/{nodeUuid}
Host: api.i3d.net
PRIVATE-TOKEN: YOUR_API_KEY
```

{% hint style="info" %}
Response (202 Accepted) is returned — the Node is released asynchronously.
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="warning" %}
A 409 Conflict is returned when the Node still hosts active VMs (`node_has_vms`) — move or delete those VMs first — or when the Node is not in a deletable state (`node_not_running`), e.g. it is still provisioning or already being removed.
{% endhint %}


---

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