***

title: Instance Creation
description: >-
Create GPU and CPU instances with smart defaults, fallback chains, startup
scripts, and composable piping using the Brev CLI.
--------------------------------------------------

Create instances with automatic GPU type selection, fallback chains, startup scripts, and composable piping.

## brev create

```bash
brev create [name] [flags]
```

**Aliases:** `provision`, `gpu-create`, `gpu-retry`, `gcreate`

## Flags

| Flag               | Short | Description                                            |
| ------------------ | ----- | ------------------------------------------------------ |
| `--name`           | `-n`  | Instance name.                                         |
| `--type`           | `-t`  | Comma-separated instance types to try (fallback chain) |
| `--count`          | `-c`  | Number of instances to create (default: 1)             |
| `--parallel`       | `-p`  | Parallel creation attempts (default: 1)                |
| `--startup-script` | `-s`  | Script to run on boot (inline string or `@filepath`)   |
| `--timeout`        |       | Seconds to wait for ready (default: 300)               |
| `--detached`       | `-d`  | Don't wait for instance to be ready.                   |
| `--dry-run`        |       | Show matching instance types without creating.         |

### Search Filter Flags

All [search filter flags](/docs/cli/search-discovery) are also available on `brev create`:

| Flag               | Short | Description                                |
| ------------------ | ----- | ------------------------------------------ |
| `--gpu-name`       | `-g`  | Filter by GPU name (partial match)         |
| `--provider`       |       | Filter by cloud provider.                  |
| `--min-vram`       | `-v`  | Minimum VRAM per GPU (GB)                  |
| `--min-total-vram` |       | Minimum total VRAM (GB)                    |
| `--min-capability` |       | Minimum GPU compute capability.            |
| `--min-disk`       |       | Minimum disk size (GB)                     |
| `--max-boot-time`  |       | Maximum boot time (minutes)                |
| `--stoppable`      |       | Only stoppable instances.                  |
| `--rebootable`     |       | Only rebootable instances.                 |
| `--flex-ports`     |       | Only instances with configurable firewall. |
| `--sort`           |       | Sort by: price, vram, boot-time, etc.      |
| `--desc`           |       | Sort descending.                           |

## Smart Defaults

When you run `brev create` without specifying `--type` or any filter flags, the CLI applies these defaults:

* **20 GB** minimum total VRAM
* **500 GB** minimum disk
* **Compute 8.0+** (Ampere or newer)
* **\< 7 min** boot time
* Sorted by **price** (cheapest first)

```bash
# Uses smart defaults — picks the cheapest GPU matching the above criteria
brev create my-instance
```

## Specifying Instance Types

### Single Type

```bash
brev create my-instance --type g5.xlarge
```

### Fallback Chain

Provide a comma-separated list of types. The CLI tries each in order until one succeeds:

```bash
brev create my-instance --type g5.xlarge,g5.2xlarge,g5.4xlarge
```

### Using Search Filters

Apply the same filters available in `brev search` to narrow the type selection:

```bash
brev create my-instance --gpu-name A100 --min-vram 40
```

### Piping from Search

Pipe `brev search` output directly into `brev create`:

```bash
brev search --gpu-name A100 | brev create my-instance
```

## Startup Scripts

Run scripts or commands automatically when the instance boots.

### Inline Script

```bash
brev create my-instance -s 'pip install torch'
```

### File Reference (`@filepath` Syntax)

Prefix a local file path with `@` to use its contents as the startup script:

```bash
brev create my-instance -s @setup.sh
brev create my-instance -s @./scripts/install-deps.sh
```

## Clusters

Create multiple instances at once with `--count`:

```bash
brev create my-cluster --count 3 --type g5.xlarge
```

## Dry Run

Preview matching instance types without actually creating anything:

```bash
brev create my-instance --dry-run
brev create my-instance --gpu-name A100 --dry-run
```

## Detached Mode

Skip waiting for the instance to be ready:

```bash
brev create my-instance --detached
```

## Output Piping

`brev create` outputs the instance name to stdout, enabling chaining with other commands:

```bash
# Create and open in an editor
brev create my-instance | brev open cursor

# Create and run a command
brev create my-instance | brev exec "nvidia-smi"

# Create and run a setup script
brev create my-instance | brev exec @setup.sh

# Full pipeline: search, create, open
brev search --gpu-name A100 | brev create my-box | brev open cursor
```

## Examples

```bash
# Simple creation with smart defaults
brev create my-instance

# Specific type with startup script
brev create my-instance --type g5.xlarge -s @setup.sh

# High-VRAM GPU with fallback
brev create training-box --gpu-name A100 --min-vram 40

# Create 3-node cluster
brev create my-cluster --count 3 --type g5.xlarge

# Preview what would be created
brev create my-instance --dry-run

# Full pipeline: search → create → setup → open
brev search --gpu-name A100 | brev create my-box | brev exec @setup.sh
```