# Current cloud instance process

The current processs for creating cloud instances is incorrect.

At the moment the cloud instance process is the following:

- Customer goes to `https://vantage.hostxtra.co.uk/start` then fills in the form.
- Customer is then sent and email to verify
- Customer clicks the link and the instance is created in the DB.
- Customer can then access the instance.

As the `/start` process is auto creating a new instance this should default to the free tier instance.

The issue is that this doesn't create an `account` and `admin_instance` on the admin side.

The Cloud instance creation / account creation needs to be restructured.

for context when I say `hq` I mean `admin`

- customer goes to `https://vantage.hostxtra.co.uk/start` and fills in the form.
    - This is where the HQ account is created.
- The customer is then sent and email to verify their email address.
- The customer can then access the HQ customer portal.
- The customer can then create a free new instance in the HQ portal.
- The cloud instance is created in the DB.
- The HQ `account` and `admin_instance` is created and populated in the DB.
- A `Free` License is created and attached to the instance.
- The customer is then sent an email letting them know the instance has been created and when the license expires.
- The customer will need to renew the license after expiry, if they are on a Free license.
    - This is so that unused instances can be cleaned up if no renew after a length of time has passed.