AuraDB Fundamentals ›Getting Started
Create an instance

AuraDB Fundamentals

Introduction to Neo4j Aura

Getting Started

Tools

Operations

Create an instance

Creating your first Aura instance

You have learned how to navigate the Aura Console and understand the organizational structure of instances, projects, and organizations. In this lesson, you will learn how to create your first Aura database instance.

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

  • Create an Aura database instance

  • Understand which settings are fixed at creation and which can be changed later

Creating a new instance

To create a new database instance, select Instances in the menu on the left, then click Create Instance.

create instance

This opens the instance creation page where you configure your new database instance.

Selecting the instance tier

You will be presented with a modal window that provides you with the selection of tiers.

Selecting the correct tier

Select Aura Free to create a new free instance.

Naming your instance

A modal window will appear with the username and password for the database.

credentials

Make sure to Download and continue and keep the file safe. It contains the credentials needed to connect to your new database.

Instance connection details

Learn how to use Neo4j AuraDB, a fully managed graph database service in the cloud.Credentials
Entry Value

NEO4J_URI

neo4j+s://<instanceid>.databases.neo4j.io

NEO4J_USERNAME

neo4j

NEO4J_PASSWORD

<your password>

NEO4J_DATABASE

neo4j

AURA_INSTANCEID

<instanceid>

AURA_INSTANCENAME

Instance01

Instance connection details

  • The instance ID cannot be changed in the lifetime of the instance.

  • The user has admin rights on the database.

  • The password can be changed later.

Instance creation in progress

You will then see the new instance listed on the instances page with a status of Creating.

spinner

Instance running

Once the database is ready, the status will change to Running.

running database

Your first instance is up and running! The indicators shown are specific to Aura Free, whereas other tiers will show indicators for size and location.

instance ready

Configuration at creation and later

Some instance settings can only be configured at creation time, while others can be changed later.

Plan your cloud provider and region carefully during initial setup, as these require creating a new instance to change.

Instance creation showing fixed and changeable settings

Fixed and changeable settings

Fixed at creation (cannot be changed later):

  • Cloud provider (AWS, GCP, Azure)

  • Region/location

  • Instance ID

Can be changed later:

  • Instance name

  • Memory and storage size (paid tiers)

  • Password

Check your understanding

Instance Configuration

Which of the following settings can be changed after creating an Aura instance?

  • ❏ Cloud provider (AWS, GCP, Azure)

  • ❏ Region/location

  • ✓ Instance name

  • ✓ Password

Hint

Cloud provider and region are fixed when you create the instance. Other settings like name and password can be modified afterward.

Solution

Instance name and password can be changed after creation.

Cloud provider and region are fixed at instance creation time and cannot be changed later. To use a different provider or region, you must create a new instance.

Summary

In this lesson, you created your first Aura database instance and learned which settings are fixed at creation (cloud provider, region) and which can be changed later (name, password, size).

You now have a running Neo4j Aura instance with connection credentials for accessing your database.

For more information on instance creation options, see the Neo4j Aura Create Instance documentation.

In the next lesson, you will learn how to manage your instance, including inspecting, configuring, and upgrading.

Chatbot

How can I help you today?