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

# WP Stratos: Get Your WordPress Site Live in Minutes

> Follow this step-by-step guide to create your WP Stratos account, launch a WordPress site, connect your domain, and configure email and caching.

This guide walks you through everything you need to go from a brand-new WP Stratos account to a fully configured, live WordPress site. By the end you'll have your domain connected, SSL active, outbound email working, and performance caching running.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Create your account">
    Go to the WP Stratos website and click **Sign Up**. Enter your name, email address, and a password, then check your inbox for a verification email. Click the link in that email to activate your account and gain access to the Cloud Panel.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Launch your WordPress site">
    Once you're inside the Cloud Panel, click **New Site**. Give your site a name, choose the hosting plan that matches your needs, and select the server region closest to your audience. WP Stratos provisions your WordPress installation automatically — the site is ready within a few minutes, with WP Postman, Aero, and WP Stratos Environment pre-installed and activated.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Connect your domain">
    Open your site in the Cloud Panel and navigate to the **Domains** tab. Add your custom domain and follow the on-screen instructions to update your nameservers or add the required DNS records at your registrar. WP Stratos provisions an SSL certificate automatically once your domain resolves correctly.

    For a detailed walkthrough of every DNS configuration option, see the [Connect a Domain](/domains/connect-domain) guide.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure your email">
    Transactional email (password resets, order confirmations, contact form replies) is handled by **WP Postman**. In your WordPress admin, go to **WP Postman → Settings** and enter your SMTP host, port, username, and password. Save your settings and use the built-in test tool to confirm that email is delivering correctly.

    For a full list of supported providers and recommended settings, see the [SMTP Configuration](/plugins/wp-postman/smtp-configuration) guide.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Optimize performance">
    **Aero** is already active and caching is enabled by default — your site is faster from the moment it launches without any manual setup. To review or adjust caching rules, object cache settings, or cache exclusions, go to **Aero → Settings** in your WordPress admin.

    For a full overview of every Aero feature, see the [Aero plugin documentation](/plugins/aero/overview).
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  Before pushing changes to your live site, use the **one-click staging environment** in the Cloud Panel. Create a staging clone, test your updates safely, then push the changes to production when you're happy with the results — all without touching your live site.
</Tip>

## Next steps

Now that your site is live, explore the rest of the WP Stratos platform.

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Cloud Panel Overview" icon="cloud" href="/cloud-panel/overview">
    Learn how to manage sites, backups, staging environments, and server settings from the Cloud Panel.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Connect a Domain" icon="globe" href="/domains/connect-domain">
    Dive deeper into DNS configuration, nameserver management, and SSL certificate provisioning.
  </Card>

  <Card title="WP Postman" icon="envelope" href="/plugins/wp-postman/overview">
    Explore all WP Postman features including provider integrations, email logs, and delivery diagnostics.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Aero" icon="gauge" href="/plugins/aero/overview">
    Discover advanced Aero caching strategies, performance tuning options, and CDN integration.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>


## Related topics

- [Manage Your WordPress Sites in WP Stratos Cloud Panel](/cloud-panel/sites.md)
- [Back Up and Restore Your WordPress Site on WP Stratos](/cloud-panel/backups.md)
- [Adjust PHP Settings for Your WP Stratos WordPress Site](/plugins/wp-stratos-environment/php-settings.md)
- [WP Postman: Reliable SMTP Email for Your WordPress Site](/plugins/wp-postman/overview.md)
- [Use Staging Environments to Test Before Going Live](/cloud-panel/staging.md)