> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.magicmealkits.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Sign up for Google Cloud

> Use this when signing up for Google Cloud for the first time with the Gmail account you will install Magic Meal Kits with. It covers what to prepare, the sign-up steps, billing details and what stays free.

The Magic Meal Kits server runs in your own Google Cloud project, so you need to sign up for Google
Cloud before installing. If you already have an account, skip ahead to
[Check billing](/onboarding/billing-check).

<Warning>
  Sign up with the **regular Gmail account** you chose in
  [Prepare a Google account](/onboarding/google-account). Google Workspace accounts are not supported
  for installation.
</Warning>

## What you need

* The Gmail account you will install with
* A credit or debit card (for billing details)
* A mobile phone (for identity verification)

## Sign-up steps

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the free trial page">
    In a browser signed in to your install account, go to
    [cloud.google.com/free](https://cloud.google.com/free) and click the button to start for free.
    <Info>Screenshot coming soon: Google Cloud free trial start page</Info>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose your country and accept the terms">
    Select your country and accept the terms of service.
    <Info>Screenshot coming soon: country and terms screen</Info>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter account details">
    Enter the account type and basic details such as your name and address. If it's for personal
    use, choose the individual account type.
    <Info>Screenshot coming soon: account details screen</Info>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Verify your phone">
    Enter your phone number and type in the code you receive by text.
    <Info>Screenshot coming soon: phone verification screen</Info>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter billing details">
    Enter your card details to finish signing up. During the free trial you are not charged
    automatically unless you upgrade yourself.
    <Info>Screenshot coming soon: billing details screen</Info>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Skip the survey">
    You can close the survey that appears right after sign-up. Skipping it doesn't affect
    installation.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## What does it cost?

* Google Cloud is pay-as-you-go.
* Separately from the free trial credit, Free Tier products stay free within their limits even
  after the trial ends. See Google's
  [free program overview](https://cloud.google.com/free/docs/free-cloud-features) for details.
* Light use of Magic Meal Kits mostly stays within the Free Tier limits.

<Warning>
  If you don't **upgrade** your billing account before the free trial ends, the project is suspended
  and the Magic Meal Kits server stops. See [Activate Google Cloud billing](/operations/google-cloud-billing).
</Warning>

## Next step

<Card title="Check billing" icon="credit-card" href="/onboarding/billing-check">
  Make sure a billing account is linked to your new account.
</Card>


This documentation is built and hosted on [Mintlify](https://mintlify.com), a developer documentation platform.