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

# Add Raff Guardian while creating a server

> Choose Raff Guardian and its mode on the Windows create page, so the new server installs it by itself at first boot.

<sub>Updated October 15, 2026</sub>

Add Raff Guardian while you create a Windows server and you never run an install command. The server installs Raff Guardian by itself the first time it starts, in the mode you pick on the create page.

## Before you start

* Permission to create servers in the project (`vm.create`).
* Raff Guardian is offered on the Windows create page only. It does not run on Linux yet.

## Steps

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the Windows create page">
    Click **+ Create** at the top right and choose **Windows**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose Add Raff Guardian">
    Fill in **Region**, **Windows Edition** and **Windows License** as usual. In step 4, **Raff Guardian**, click **Add Raff Guardian** ("Free for 6 months, then \$10/mo"). **Not now** is selected by default.

    Click **See what Raff Guardian does** for the full list of what it does.

    <Frame>
      <img src="https://mintlify.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/rafftechnologiesllc/images/products/manage/raff-guardian/create-01-add.png" alt="TODO: Raff Guardian step on the Windows create page with Add Raff Guardian selected" />
    </Frame>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Pick how Raff Guardian looks after the server">
    Under **How Raff Guardian looks after the server**, pick one:

    | Choice | What it does |
    | - | - |
    | **Raff manages everything** (default) | Updates in your maintenance window, stopped services restarted, the application watched, attacks blocked, disk kept clean. |
    | **Ask me before changes** | Raff Guardian prepares each change and waits for your OK. Attacks are still blocked at once. |
    | **Watch only** | Raff Guardian checks the server and tells you about problems. It changes nothing. |

    You can change this any time on the server's Guardian tab. See [Modes and permissions](/products/manage/raff-guardian/concepts/modes-and-permissions).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Finish and create the server">
    Complete the remaining steps and create the server. The step's summary reads, for example, "Raff manages everything · 6 months free".
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Verify

A few minutes after the server first starts, open it under **Virtual Machines** and click the **Guardian** tab. The tab shows the **Overview**, **Security**, **Users**, **Apps**, **Updates**, **Activity** and **Settings** sections, and the **Raff Guardian** card names the mode you picked.

The first-boot install keeps trying for up to 10 minutes while the network comes up. If the tab still offers **Install Raff Guardian** after that, install it by hand: see [Install on an existing server](/products/manage/raff-guardian/quickstart-guides/install-on-an-existing-server). It still starts in the mode you picked on the create page.

## Next steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Schedule Windows updates" icon="calendar" href="/products/manage/raff-guardian/quickstart-guides/schedule-windows-updates">
    Choose the days and time Windows updates may install.
  </Card>

  <Card title="See what it did (activity log)" icon="list" href="/products/manage/raff-guardian/quickstart-guides/see-the-activity-log">
    Every check, change and result in Activity.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>


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