Getting Started¶
Get started fast with CrateDB: Setup or install CrateDB and try a few quick tutorials.
Note
Prefer video tutorials? Then we have a more elaborate Academy Fundamentals course with hands-on video tutorials that walk you through setup or installation and key concepts step by step. Or take the quick route below with our text-based quickstart.
We highly recommend to try out CrateDB with a free Cloud cluster for the
smoothest experience with integrated tutorials - no install, no
copy-pasting examples.
Alternatively, select “Local” below to install CrateDB with Docker and follow
the more manual tutorials.
Create your free cluster¶
Sign up for CrateDB Cloud and create your first cluster in 2 minutes.
Start free with CrateDB Cloud →
After logging in you will see the Cloud Console Quickstart page, with options to try tutorials, import data, or connect programmatically.
The Cloud Quickstart page¶
Run tutorials¶
Once your cluster is ready, you can go through one or more of the interactive tutorials directly in the browser in ~5 minutes each. With the click of a button you will import data, execute queries, and see the results.
Experiment in the Console¶
After completing a tutorial, the sample data remains in your cluster. You can now use the Console in the Cloud UI to explore the data and run your own SQL queries, perhaps with inspiration from our Query capabilities.
The Cloud Console page¶
Install CrateDB¶
If you prefer to try CrateDB locally, the quickest way is using Docker:
docker run -p 4200:4200 -p 5432:5432 crate:latest
For other installation methods, see our Installation guide.
Caution
By default, the CrateDB Docker container is ephemeral, so data will not be stored in a persistent manner. When you stop the container, all data will be lost. For production use, consult the Docker guide to configure persistent disk volumes.
Access the Admin UI¶
Once CrateDB is running, open your browser and navigate to http://localhost:4200/ to access the Admin UI. From here you can:
Browse tables and data
Execute SQL queries
Monitor cluster health
The Admin UI Console page¶
You will use this in the next section to run SQL statements.
Run tutorials
Learn about fundamental features of CrateDB with hands-on example tutorials.
CrateDB’s dynamic OBJECT data type can store and analyze complex and nested data efficiently.
Learn how to make use of CrateDB’s full-text search capabilities.
Learn how to analyze time series data on behalf of a practical example.
Learn how to combine time series data with metadata.
Experiment in the Console
After completing one or more tutorials, you can continue to explore the data in the Console with SQL queries, perhaps with inspiration from our Query capabilities.
What’s next?¶
From here you can take several different directions.
Continue learning
Learn through courses
Get a detailed introduction to CrateDB with video explanations and hands-on exercises through our Academy courses.
Data modelling
Learn how to model structured, semi-structured, and unstructured data in CrateDB.
Query capabilities
Explore CrateDB’s powerful querying features including aggregations, full-text search, and vector search.
Start building
Import data
Import files directly via URL in CSV, JSON or Parquet format, load sample
datasets, or use SQL COPY FROM as demonstrated in the tutorials.
Connect
Connect to CrateDB from your application using drivers in your preferred programming language.
Get inspired
Explore sample applications for inspiration when building your own applications with CrateDB.
Additionally, we recommend you explore the rest of the documentation via the left-hand navigation.
Need help?
Community
Join our Community Forum to ask questions and connect with other CrateDB users.
Support
Contact our support team for assistance with your CrateDB deployment.