> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://mastodon.gitbook.io/mastodon/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://mastodon.gitbook.io/mastodon/admin/setup.md).

# Setting up your new instance

## Creating an admin account

### In the browser <a href="#in-the-browser" id="in-the-browser"></a>

After signing up in the browser, you will need to use the command line to give your newly created account admin privileges. Assuming your username is `alice`:

```bash
RAILS_ENV=production bin/tootctl accounts modify alice --role admin
```

### From the command line <a href="#from-the-command-line" id="from-the-command-line"></a>

You can create a new account using the command-line interface.

```bash
RAILS_ENV=production bin/tootctl accounts create \
  alice \
  --email alice@example.com \
  --confirmed \
  --role admin
```

A randomly generated password will be shown in the terminal.

## Filling in server information <a href="#filling-in-server-information" id="filling-in-server-information"></a>

After logging in, navigate to the **Site settings** page. While there are no technical requirements for filling in this information, it is considered crucial for operating a server for humans.

| Setting                     | Meaning                                                                                               |
| --------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Contact username            | Your username so people know who owns the server                                                      |
| Business e-mail             | An e-mail address so people locked out of their accounts, or people without accounts, can contact you |
| Instance description        | Why did you start this server? Who is it for? What makes it different?                                |
| Custom extended information | You can put all sorts of information in here but a **code of conduct** is recommended                 |

After you fill these in, simply hit “Save changes”.