> ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://meilisearch-6b28dec2-add-platform-documentation.mintlify.site/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Create a project > Create a new Meilisearch Cloud project from the dashboard in a few steps. A project is an isolated Meilisearch instance. Creating one takes two steps: choose a plan type, then configure the project. ## Prerequisites * A Meilisearch Cloud account. [Sign up at cloud.meilisearch.com](https://cloud.meilisearch.com) if you do not have one. ## Step 1: Click "New project" From the [Cloud dashboard](https://cloud.meilisearch.com), click the **New project** button. Meilisearch Cloud projects list with the New project button ## Step 2: Choose a plan type You will be asked to choose between two billing models: | Plan type | Description | | ------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | | **Resource-Based** | Select compute and storage to match your performance needs. You pay a fixed hourly rate for the resources you provision. | | **Usage-Based** | Pay as you go. Costs adjust automatically based on your actual searches and documents. | See [Resource-based vs usage-based](/capabilities/platform/infrastructure/overview#resource-based-vs-usage-based-projects) for guidance on which to choose. Create project modal showing Resource-Based and Usage-Based plan type options ## Step 3: Configure the project Both plan types share three common fields: | Field | Description | | ----------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Project name** | Between 3 and 40 characters. | | **Region** | The region where your project is hosted. Cannot be changed after creation. See [Regions](/capabilities/platform/infrastructure/regions). | | **Meilisearch version** | The version to deploy. Defaults to the latest stable release. | ### Resource-Based configuration Select a resource tier (Memory and vCPU). The Cloud UI shows the hourly cost and estimated monthly cost for the selected tier. Resource-based projects include Meilisearch team support. See [resource-based pricing](/capabilities/platform/billing/pricing_model#resource-based-pricing) for more details. Configure resource-based project form showing memory, vCPU, and hourly cost breakdown ### Usage-Based configuration Select a plan: | Plan | Included searches | Included documents | Resources | Support | | ---------- | -------------------------------- | --------------------------- | --------- | ------------------- | | **Build** | 50K/month, then \$0.40 per 1,000 | 100K, then \$0.30 per 1,000 | Shared | Community (Discord) | | **Custom** | Tailored to your needs | Tailored to your needs | Dedicated | Meilisearch team | See [usage-based pricing](/capabilities/platform/billing/pricing_model#usage-based-pricing) for more details. Configure usage-based project form showing Build plan option with pricing details ## Step 4: Create the project Click **Create project**. Meilisearch Cloud provisions the instance. The project appears in your dashboard with a **creating** status while it is being provisioned, then becomes available in a few seconds. Meilisearch Cloud projects list showing a project with creating status ## Next steps * [Add documents](/getting_started/first_project#creating-an-index-and-adding-documents) using your project's API URL and admin key * [Manage resources](/capabilities/platform/infrastructure/manage_resources) to scale as your data grows * [Invite team members](/capabilities/platform/teams/overview) to collaborate on the project