# Managed Apps quick start

Create a managed WordPress, n8n, or Ghost instance and start using it in minutes.

## Prerequisites

- A DanubeData account with a valid payment method

## Step 1: Choose an app

1. Navigate to **Apps** in the sidebar
2. Browse the app catalog at the top of the page
3. Click **Deploy** on the app you want:
   - **WordPress** — Content management system for websites and blogs
   - **n8n** — Workflow automation tool for connecting apps and services
   - **Ghost** — Publishing platform for blogs and newsletters

## Step 2: Configure your instance

Fill in the creation form:

1. **Instance name** — A unique name for your instance (e.g., `my-blog`). Lowercase letters, numbers, and hyphens only.
2. **Subdomain** — Auto-suggested from the instance name. Your instance URL will be `https://{subdomain}.apps.danubedata.ro`.
3. **Admin username** — Defaults to `admin`. Choose a custom name if desired.

## Step 3: Choose a plan

Select a resource profile based on your needs.

### WordPress plans

| Plan | CPU | Memory | Storage | Price |
|------|-----|--------|---------|-------|
| **Starter** | 0.5 vCPU | 512 MB | 10 GB | EUR 8.99/mo |
| **Professional** | 1 vCPU | 1 GB | 20 GB | EUR 19.99/mo |
| **Business** | 2 vCPU | 2 GB | 40 GB | EUR 39.99/mo |
| **Enterprise** | 4 vCPU | 4 GB | 80 GB | EUR 75.99/mo |

### n8n plans

| Plan | CPU | Memory | Storage | Workflows | Price |
|------|-----|--------|---------|-----------|-------|
| **Starter** | 0.5 vCPU | 512 MB | 5 GB | 5 parallel | EUR 12.99/mo |
| **Professional** | 1 vCPU | 1 GB | 10 GB | 10 parallel | EUR 24.99/mo |
| **Business** | 2 vCPU | 2 GB | 20 GB | 15 parallel | EUR 49.99/mo |
| **Enterprise** | 4 vCPU | 4 GB | 40 GB | 20 parallel | EUR 99.99/mo |

### Ghost plans

| Plan | CPU | Memory | Storage | Price |
|------|-----|--------|---------|-------|
| **Starter** | 0.5 vCPU | 512 MB | 10 GB | EUR 9.99/mo |
| **Professional** | 1 vCPU | 1 GB | 20 GB | EUR 19.99/mo |
| **Business** | 2 vCPU | 2 GB | 40 GB | EUR 39.99/mo |
| **Enterprise** | 4 vCPU | 4 GB | 80 GB | EUR 75.99/mo |

**Tip:** Start with Starter for personal projects and testing. Professional suits most production workloads.

## Step 4: Select a version (if applicable)

If multiple versions are available, select the one you want. The latest stable version is pre-selected by default.

## Step 5: Review and create

1. Review your configuration in the sidebar summary (instance details, included features, estimated cost)
2. Click **Create Instance**

## Step 6: Wait for deployment

After clicking **Create**, your instance will go through these states:

1. **Pending** — Queued for deployment
2. **Provisioning** — Infrastructure resources being created
3. **Running** — Ready to use

The dashboard updates in real time. Deployment typically completes within a few minutes.

## Step 7: Access your app

Once the status shows **Running**:

1. Click the **Access URL** link on the instance detail page, or go to:
   ```
   https://{subdomain}.apps.danubedata.ro
   ```
2. Log in with the admin credentials shown on the instance detail page
3. Click the **eye icon** next to the password field to reveal it

### Application admin panels

| App | Admin panel |
|-----|-------------|
| **WordPress** | Go to `/wp-admin` and log in with your credentials |
| **n8n** | The main URL uses basic auth — enter your credentials when prompted |
| **Ghost** | Go to `/ghost` and complete the setup wizard |

## Step 8: Add a custom domain (optional)

Use your own domain instead of the default `apps.danubedata.ro` subdomain:

1. Go to the instance detail page
2. Click **Manage Domains**
3. Click **Add Domain** and enter your domain (e.g., `blog.example.com`)
4. Add the DNS TXT record shown in the dashboard to your DNS provider
5. Click **Verify** once the DNS record is in place
6. Add a CNAME record pointing your domain to `{subdomain}.apps.danubedata.ro`
7. A TLS certificate is provisioned automatically after the CNAME is active

For detailed instructions, see the [custom domains](managed-apps-management.md#custom-domains) section of the management guide.

## Common operations

| Operation | How |
|-----------|-----|
| Access admin panel | Instance detail page > **Access URL** |
| Reveal password | Instance detail page > click eye icon |
| Add custom domain | Instance detail page > **Manage Domains** > **Add Domain** |
| Upgrade plan (resources) | Instance detail page > **Edit Configuration** |
| Upgrade app version | Instance detail page > version upgrade option |
| Roll back a version upgrade | Instance detail page > **Roll back** (within 7 days) |
| Restart instance | Instance detail page > **Actions** > **Restart** |
| Create snapshot | Instance detail page > **Backups & Snapshots** tab |
| Clone from snapshot | Instance detail page > **Backups & Snapshots** tab > **Clone** |
| View metrics | Instance detail page > **Monitoring** tab |
| Delete instance | Instance detail page > **Actions** > **Delete** |

## Troubleshooting

### Instance stuck in "Provisioning"

- Wait a few minutes. Initial deployments may take some time as the container images are downloaded and configured.
- If the status does not change after 10 minutes, contact support.

### Cannot log in to the app

- Verify you are using the correct admin username (shown on the instance detail page)
- Click the eye icon to reveal the password and copy it (do not type it manually)
- Ensure you are accessing the correct URL: `https://{subdomain}.apps.danubedata.ro`
- For WordPress, go to `/wp-admin` for the login page
- For Ghost, go to `/ghost` for the admin panel

### Custom domain not working

- Verify the DNS TXT record is in place and verification status shows **Verified**
- Ensure you have added a CNAME record pointing to `{subdomain}.apps.danubedata.ro`
- DNS changes may take up to 24 hours to propagate, though most take only minutes
- The TLS certificate is provisioned after the CNAME is active — check the TLS status in the dashboard

## Next steps

- [Managing Managed App instances](https://docs.danubedata.ro/managed-apps-management) — Dashboard walkthrough, domains, snapshots, and monitoring
- [Managed Apps product documentation](https://docs.danubedata.ro/managed-apps) — Full feature reference
- [Products overview](https://danubedata.ro/solutions) — Compare all DanubeData products

---

**Questions?** Contact support at support@danubedata.ro