# Getting Started > Part of the NocoDB documentation (Product docs). Index of all pages: https://nocodb.com/llms.txt. Any docs page is available as Markdown by adding `.md` to its URL. URL: https://nocodb.com/docs/product/getting-started Last updated: 2026-10-03 NocoDB has two variants: **self-hosted** and **cloud-hosted** (SaaS). This guide shows you how to start with each option. ## Self Hosted Self-hosting gives you full control of your data and infrastructure. You can run NocoDB on your own server or on a cloud provider that you select. * [Installation](/docs/self-hosting/installation/quickstart) * [Environment Variables](/docs/self-hosting/environment-variables) * [Upgrading](/docs/self-hosting/maintenance/upgrading) ## SaaS (Cloud Hosted) ### Sign up for a NocoDB account 1. Go to the [NocoDB website](https://www.nocodb.com). 2. Click the **Start For Free** button in the top right corner. 3. Sign up with your Google account or your email address. 4. To verify your account, click the link in the email that NocoDB sends you. After you sign up, the NocoDB dashboard opens. It has a default workspace that is ready to use. ### Build a Base A base is your database. It contains tables, fields and relationships. [Create a new base](/docs/product/bases/create-base) or [import an existing one from Airtable](/docs/product/bases/import-base-from-airtable). #### Create Tables Tables keep your data in rows and columns, like a spreadsheet. [Add new tables](/docs/product/tables/table-operations/create-table) to your base, or [import from CSV, Excel, or JSON](/docs/product/tables/table-operations/create-table-via-import). #### Add Fields Fields are columns that hold one type of data: text, numbers, dates, attachments and [more](/docs/product/tables/fields). Use the [multi-fields editor](/docs/product/tables/fields/multi-fields-editor) to add, edit, reorder and configure many fields at one time. #### Establish Relationships between Tables Use [Link To Another Record](/docs/product/tables/fields/field-types/links-based/link-to-another-record) fields to connect related data in different tables. For example, to link "Tasks" to a "Project", create an LTAR field in the "Projects" table. Point the field to the "Tasks" table. #### Add Records [Add records manually](/docs/product/tables/records/create-record) or [upload data from CSV](/docs/product/tables/table-operations/import-data-into-existing-table) files. #### Create views Views show your data in different layouts, and you can work with the data in each layout. [Create multiple views](/docs/product/tables/views/create-view) for each table. Each view has its own fields, filters and sort order. Available view types: [Grid](/docs/product/tables/views/view-types/grid), [Form](/docs/product/tables/views/view-types/form), [Gallery](/docs/product/tables/views/view-types/gallery), [Kanban](/docs/product/tables/views/view-types/kanban), [Calendar](/docs/product/tables/views/view-types/calendar), [Timeline](/docs/product/tables/views/view-types/timeline), [Gantt](/docs/product/tables/views/view-types/gantt), [List](/docs/product/tables/views/view-types/list), and [Map](/docs/product/tables/views/view-types/map). #### Connect your data sources Is your data already in an external database? [Connect your existing data sources](/docs/product/integrations/data-sources) and work with them in the NocoDB spreadsheet interface. ### Collaborate with your team [Invite team members to your workspace](/docs/product/collaboration/workspace-collaboration) and [share bases with them](/docs/product/collaboration/base-collaboration). [Assign roles and permissions](/docs/product/collaboration/roles-and-permissions) to control access at the workspace, base, table and field levels. To share publicly, [create a public link](/docs/product/bases/share-base) or [embed your base](/docs/product/bases/share-base#embeddable-frame) on your website. ### Automate your workflows NocoDB has several ways to automate repeated tasks: * **[Workflows](/docs/workflows)**: Build visual automations with triggers, actions, conditions, and loops * **[Scripts](/docs/workflows/scripts)**: Write JavaScript to automate operations across tables, fields, and records * **[Webhooks](/docs/product/tables/table-operations/webhook)**: Send notifications to external services on record changes ### Extend with dashboards and apps * **[Dashboards](/docs/product/dashboards)**: Create visual dashboards with chart widgets, numbers, text, and iframes * **[Extensions](/docs/product/extensions)**: Add functionality with Bulk Update, Data Exporter, Dedupe, Org Chart, Page Designer, and more ### Use AI to work faster [NocoAI](/docs/product/noco-ai) is the AI assistant in NocoDB. To open it, click the **NocoAI** button at the bottom-right of any base. Ask it to build tables and views, answer questions about your data or update records. Refer to [what NocoAI can do](/docs/product/noco-ai/capabilities). Create a table to track [tasks] with the fields a small team would need Add a few sample records to this table so I can try things out Create a kanban view of this table grouped by [Status] What can you help me do in this base? ### Create documents with NocoDocs [NocoDocs](/docs/product/docs) is a built-in document editor. It has rich text formatting, comments, AI writing help and detailed permissions. ## Good to know * If you are new to NocoDB, we recommend that you start with the cloud-hosted option. New users can try the platform's features on the **free plan**. --- ## Related pages - [NocoDB Terminologies](https://nocodb.com/docs/product/getting-started/terminologies.md) - [Keyboard Shortcuts](https://nocodb.com/docs/product/getting-started/keyboard-shortcuts.md)