> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://www.latitude.sh/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Clusters

> Create, access, upgrade, and delete LKS Clusters from the dashboard

An LKS Cluster is a managed Kubernetes Control Plane plus one or more [Node Pools](/docs/lks/node-pools) of bare metal Nodes. Latitude.sh runs the Control Plane; you manage the Cluster's Workloads and Node Pools.

## Prerequisites

* A [verified account](/docs/account-setup/verify-account) with a [payment method](/docs/billing/payment-methods).
* A [project](/docs/projects) selected in the dashboard.
* [`kubectl`](https://kubernetes.io/docs/tasks/tools/#kubectl) installed on your machine.

## Create a Cluster

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Cluster creation">
    Go to **LKS** in the sidebar and click **Create Cluster**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select a location">
    Choose the region where the Cluster runs. Plan availability and pricing vary by region.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Name the Cluster">
    Enter a name of 3-63 lowercase letters, numbers, or hyphens, starting and ending with a letter or number. It must be unique within the project.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Describe the Cluster (optional)">
    Add an optional description, up to 200 characters, to record what the Cluster is for.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose a Kubernetes version">
    Select the Kubernetes version for the Control Plane. The newest available version is selected by default.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add Node Pools">
    Add one or more Node Pools. Each Node Pool has a **Plan** and a number of **Nodes**, and can carry its own Labels and Taints. See [Node Pools](/docs/lks/node-pools) for details.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create">
    Review the [hourly price](https://www.latitude.sh/pricing) and click **Create Cluster**. You're taken to the Cluster overview while it provisions.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Note>
  The Control Plane is fully managed. You don't size or access Control Plane Nodes, and no SSH keys are needed to create a Cluster.
</Note>

## Cluster status

The Cluster list and overview show the current state:

| Status       | Meaning                                                              |
| ------------ | -------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Provisioning | The Cluster is being created.                                        |
| Active       | The Cluster is ready to use.                                         |
| Updating     | A configuration change is being applied.                             |
| Upgrading    | A Kubernetes version upgrade is in progress.                         |
| Degraded     | The Cluster is running with reduced health.                          |
| Paused       | Paused by Latitude support; changes are blocked until it's unpaused. |
| Deleting     | The Cluster is being removed.                                        |
| Error        | The last operation failed.                                           |

## Access the Cluster

Download the kubeconfig from the Cluster **Overview** tab, under **Cluster access**:

* **Download kubeconfig**: save the file to your machine.
* **Copy to clipboard**: copy the kubeconfig contents.
* **View**: preview the kubeconfig in the dashboard.

Connect with `kubectl`:

```bash theme={null}
kubectl --kubeconfig=./my-cluster-kubeconfig.yaml get nodes
```

The kubeconfig is available once the Cluster is **Active**.

## Name and description

On the **Settings** tab you can edit the Cluster's **Name** (its display name) and its **Description** (up to 200 characters).

## Upgrade the Kubernetes version

Latitude.sh publishes the Kubernetes versions available for upgrade. To upgrade the Control Plane, open the **Settings** tab. When a newer version is available, the **Version** row shows **Upgrade to** `{version}`; otherwise it shows **Up to date**.

<Warning>
  A Control Plane upgrade can't be reversed.
</Warning>

Node Pools stay on their current version until you upgrade them, and a Node Pool can run at most one minor version behind the Control Plane. Upgrade each pool after the Control Plane. See [Upgrade a Node Pool](/docs/lks/node-pools#upgrade-a-node-pool).

## Delete a Cluster

Open the **Settings** tab and click **Delete**, or use **Delete Cluster** in the Cluster's actions menu. Type the Cluster name to confirm.

<Warning>
  Deleting a Cluster is permanent. All Node Pools and their Nodes are destroyed, the LoadBalancer IP is released, and all data and Workloads are lost.
</Warning>