Quick Start
This guide walks you through getting Cascade up and running on your first server. By the end you'll have the panel running, a node registered, and your first workload deployed.
Prerequisites
Before you begin, make sure you have:
- A server or VPS running Ubuntu 22.04 LTS or Debian 12 (x86_64)
- At least 4 GB RAM and 20 GB disk
- Root or sudo access
- An active Cascade early access invite
1. Install the Cascadia daemon
Cascadia is the lightweight node agent that runs on your hardware. It handles workload execution, resource monitoring, and secure communication with the Cascade panel.
curl -fsSL https://install.cascadia.aftora.io | bash
The installer will:
- Install system dependencies
- Configure the Cascadia systemd service
- Print a node registration token — copy this, you'll need it in step 3
2. Log in to your Cascade panel
Navigate to your Cascade panel URL and sign in with your early access credentials.
3. Register your node
In the panel, go to Infrastructure → Nodes → Add Node and paste the registration token from step 1.
Cascade will verify connectivity to your node and pull its resource profile (CPU, RAM, disk, network interfaces).
4. Deploy your first workload
With a node registered, you can deploy your first workload:
- Go to Workloads → New Workload
- Select a workload type (e.g. Web Hosting or Game Server)
- Choose your node
- Fill in the configuration and click Deploy
Cascade will provision the workload on your node within seconds.
Next steps
- Read the full Installation guide for production hardening
- Understand the Architecture to plan your node topology
- Explore Workloads to see everything Cascade can manage