# Urbit A computer you can trust to be yours, forever. Get on the network in seconds through a hosting provider, or run Urbit yourself ## Primary links - [Get started](/overview/running-urbit) - [Docs](https://docs.urbit.org) - [Quickstart](https://join.tlon.io/0v3.r87kb.fjpft.3k7b5.pbsr5.5em17) ## Get Started with Urbit Ready to join the Urbit network? Get your own Urbit ID and start exploring a new way to compute. Urbit starts at its core by giving you control over your digital identity with [Urbit ID](/overview/urbit-explained/urbit-id). After taking self-sovereign control over your identity, you can then truly control your data and compute with [Urbit OS](/overview/urbit-explained/urbit-os). ### References - [Quickstart with Tlon](https://join.tlon.io/0v3.r87kb.fjpft.3k7b5.pbsr5.5em1) — Get started instantly with Tlon hosting - [Urbit Explained](/overview) — Learn the fundamentals of Urbit ### Next step - [Get an Urbit ID](/overview/running-urbit/get-urbit-id) ## Self-Hosting Urbit is an attempt to build a computer that is truly yours, designed to last a lifetime, with which you can form trustworthy networks free of extractive middlemen. Part of that means a being a networked computer that can be run by it's users. That said, Urbit is still under active development, so self-hosting is currently most apt for users who aren't afraid of a little bit of tinkering. If that's not you, we recommend using a hosting provider instead. Urbit is designed to be run by its users. Self-hosting is the way to get the most complete Urbit experience, giving you full control over your personal server. While Urbit aims to be as simple as caring for a cactus, it does come with the responsibility of knowing how to boot, run, and maintain your instance. Choose from multiple self-hosting options below based on your technical comfort level and requirements. ### Command Line Every Urbit OS server is made unique by its Urbit ID, which others can use to reach you on the network. There are five ranks of Urbit ID, but the one an ordinary user needs is a planet, which has a four-syllable name like "~sampel-palnet". Unless you know someone who can gift you one, or you want to get one from hosting provider like Tlon, you'll need to buy one. The most fundamental way to run urbit is from the command line of a Unix-like host operating system. If you are comfortable running a few commands in your computer's terminal, you can get up and running with your own self-hosted urbit in minutes without the need for additional hardware or subscription services. You will need to [get an Urbit ID](/overview/running-urbit/get-urbit-id), or start with a free, ephemeral comet identity, but starting on the command line will help you understand the core basics of running urbit. #### References - [Get Urbit ID](/overview/running-urbit/get-urbit-id) — Get an Urbit ID in order to boot and run your own urbit node - [CLI Setup Guide](https://docs.urbit.org/get-on-urbit) — Step-by-step guide to running Urbit from the command line #### Next step - [Start the CLI](https://docs.urbit.org/get-on-urbit) — Learn how to boot and run Urbit using the CLI ### Native Planet Native Planet builds hardware and software for simplified home hosting of your Urbit Native Planet hardware devices are our recommended way of running your urbit. Specifically optimized for running Urbit OS, they come preloaded with Groundseg, an open source software program designed for running and managing Urbit nodes. Along with their Startram service, running your urbit on a Native Planet device gives you the ideal balance of local control of data, low maintenance operation, and streamlined remote access. You can even get started on the command line today, and then easily import your urbit when your device arrives. #### References - [nativeplanet.io](https://nativeplanet.io) — Explore hardware solutions for running Urbit in your home or office - [Groundseg](https://github.com/native-planet/groundseg) — Use Groundset to orchestrate locally running urbit nodes #### Next step - [Buy urbit hardware](https://nativeplanet.io) — Discover dedicated Urbit hardware devices ### Cloud Server Running in a virtual private server (VPS) affords easy solutions to things like DNS and remote access, at a marginal cost to tangible control of your data Your urbit is intended to run as a 'personal server': an always-on networked computer. One way to do this is to offload the task of running hardware while you manage the software and retain cryptographic control over your urbit's self-sovereign identity. Running urbit in a datacenter offers benefits around remote access, network reliability, and protections against power failures. If you are already familiar with running cloud services, running urbit is easier then just about anything else out there—and wildly more portable. #### References - [Cloud Hosting Guide](https://docs.urbit.org/user-manual/running/cloud-hosting) — Complete guide to hosting Urbit on a VPS #### Next step - [Follow the guide](https://docs.urbit.org/user-manual/running/cloud-hosting) — Learn how to host your Urbit on a cloud server ## Hosting Providers While urbit is designed to be run by it's users, and so simple that caring for it would be as simple as caring for a cactus, it's not quite there yet. And some people aren't inclined to want to take on the burden of learning how to run their own urbit. If this sound like you, don't worry. Third party hosting providers can run your urbit on your behalf, while still maintaining many of the ownership characteristics that make urbit yours (in stark contrast to legacy cloud software. While Urbit is designed to be run by its users as simply as caring for a cactus, it's not quite there yet. Some users prefer not to take on the technical burden of self-hosting. Third-party hosting providers can run your Urbit on your behalf while still maintaining many of the ownership characteristics that make Urbit yours. This stands in stark contrast to legacy cloud software where you never truly own your data or identity. ### Tlon Hosting Tlon Corporation is the preeminent hosting provider which provides free and seamless onboarding to the Urbit network Tlon Corporation offers free and seamless hosting for your urbit with specific care taken towards a smooth onboarding experience to Tlon Messenger, Urbit's most widely used application. If you are looking to get on the network and have Tlon host your urbit ship, rather than [self-hosting it yourself](/overview/running-urbit/run-urbit-os), their mobile friendly onboarding flow takes seconds and allows you to sign up with a phone number or email—no need to deal with crypto wallets until you are ready. #### References - [Quickstart](https://join.tlon.io/0v3.r87kb.fjpft.3k7b5.pbsr5.5em1) — Get started in a few clicks using Tlon Hosting - [Tlon Corporation](https://tlon.io) — Learn more about Tlon's hosting services #### Next step - [Quickstart via Tlon](https://join.tlon.io/0v3.r87kb.fjpft.3k7b5.pbsr5.5em1) — Tlon Messenger onboarding and hosted urbit services ## Go Deeper Ready to explore more? Learn about Urbit's architecture, identity system, and the broader ecosystem of applications and tools being built on the network. Once you're up and running on Urbit, there's a whole world to explore. Learn about the underlying architecture, discover applications being built on the network, and become part of the community building the future of personal computing. Whether you're interested in using Urbit for communication, development, or just exploring a new paradigm of computing, there are resources and communities ready to help you on your journey. ### References - [Overview](/overview) — Learn about Urbit's core concepts - [Documentation](https://docs.urbit.org) — Technical documentation and guides ### Next step - [Read the docs](https://docs.urbit.org) — Read the documentation to learn more about the technical underpinnings of Urbit ### Running your Urbit There are myriad ways to run your own urbit. Different elements of Urbit ID that may appeal to you, whether you are looking for a Layer 1 or Layer 2 Azimuth identity, yearn for Bitcoin compatibilty, or aren't interested in the blockchain element at all. You may be an experienced software developer who wants to build distributed systems, or perhaps you just want to have a private messaging app that won't exploit your attention. Whoever you are, as long as you are looking for a computing experience you can trust and which aims to last, you'll be sure to find something about Urbit that captures your interest. #### References - [Learn about Urbit](/overview) — Get started with Urbit fundamentals #### Next step - [Read more](/overview/running-urbit) — An exposition on the different elements of running your own urbit