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

# Create VM

> Provision a new GPU-powered virtual machine. Provisioning typically takes 2-10 minutes.



## OpenAPI

````yaml /api-reference/openapi.json post /vms
openapi: 3.1.0
info:
  title: Nova Cloud API
  description: >-
    REST API for the Nova Cloud GPU rental platform. Manage virtual machines,
    SSH keys, billing, and more.
  version: 1.0.0
  contact:
    name: Nova Cloud Support
    email: support@nova-cloud.ai
    url: https://nova-cloud.ai
servers:
  - url: https://api.nova-cloud.ai
    description: Production
security:
  - BearerAuth: []
tags:
  - name: Authentication
    description: User registration, login, and token management
  - name: API Keys
    description: Create and manage API keys for programmatic access
  - name: SSH Keys
    description: Upload and manage SSH public keys for VM access
  - name: Virtual Machines
    description: Create, manage, and monitor GPU-powered VMs
  - name: Search & Pricing
    description: Browse available GPU offers and current pricing
  - name: Billing
    description: Balance, usage, transactions, and payment management
  - name: Reservations
    description: Reserved instance pricing and management
paths:
  /vms:
    post:
      tags:
        - Virtual Machines
      summary: Create VM
      description: >-
        Provision a new GPU-powered virtual machine. Provisioning typically
        takes 2-10 minutes.
      operationId: create_vm
      requestBody:
        required: true
        content:
          application/json:
            schema:
              $ref: '#/components/schemas/VMCreate'
      responses:
        '201':
          description: VM creation started
          content:
            application/json:
              schema:
                $ref: '#/components/schemas/VMResponse'
        '400':
          description: Insufficient balance, GPU unavailable, or resource limits exceeded
        '422':
          description: Invalid parameters
components:
  schemas:
    VMCreate:
      type: object
      required:
        - node
        - gpu_type
        - gpu_count
        - storage_gb
        - template_vmid
      properties:
        node:
          type: string
          description: Node ID (e.g., vm01, vm02)
        gpu_type:
          type: string
          description: GPU type (5090, 4090, pro6000)
        gpu_count:
          type: integer
          description: Number of GPUs (1, 2, 4, or 8)
        storage_gb:
          type: integer
          minimum: 50
          description: Disk size in GB (minimum 50)
        template_vmid:
          type: integer
          description: Template VM ID to clone
        rental_type:
          type: string
          enum:
            - on_demand
            - reserved
            - interruptible
          default: on_demand
          description: Rental type
        reservation_months:
          type: integer
          enum:
            - 1
            - 3
            - 6
          description: Reservation duration (required if rental_type=reserved)
        auth_method:
          type: string
          enum:
            - ssh_key
            - password
          default: ssh_key
        ssh_key_id:
          type: string
          description: SSH key ID (defaults to oldest key)
        password:
          type: string
          minLength: 12
          description: VM password (required if auth_method=password)
    VMResponse:
      type: object
      properties:
        id:
          type: string
          format: uuid
        vmid:
          type: integer
        user_id:
          type: integer
        node:
          type: string
        instance_label:
          type: string
          nullable: true
        gpu_type:
          type: string
        gpu_count:
          type: integer
        storage_gb:
          type: integer
        ram_gb:
          type: integer
        cpu_cores:
          type: integer
        ip_address:
          type: string
          nullable: true
        status:
          type: string
          enum:
            - creating
            - starting
            - running
            - stopping
            - stopped
            - interrupted
            - destroyed
            - failed
            - offline
        created_at:
          type: string
          format: date-time
        started_at:
          type: string
          format: date-time
          nullable: true
        stopped_at:
          type: string
          format: date-time
          nullable: true
        rental_type:
          type: string
          enum:
            - on_demand
            - reserved
            - interruptible
        reservation_id:
          type: string
          nullable: true
        auto_restart:
          type: boolean
          nullable: true
        hourly_rate:
          type: number
          nullable: true
        gpu_hourly_rate:
          type: number
          nullable: true
        storage_hourly_rate:
          type: number
          nullable: true
        cpu_percent:
          type: number
        ram_percent:
          type: number
        cpu_model:
          type: string
          nullable: true
        pcie_gen:
          type: string
          nullable: true
  securitySchemes:
    BearerAuth:
      type: http
      scheme: bearer
      bearerFormat: JWT or API Key
      description: Use a JWT access token or API key (prefixed with nv_)

````