Constellation runs entirely in your cloud environment and can be controlled via a dedicated [command-line interface (CLI)](../reference/cli.md) or a [Terraform provider](../workflows/terraform-provider.md).
If you prefer to use Terraform, you can alternatively use the [Terraform provider](../workflows/terraform-provider.md) to manage the cluster's lifecycle.
If you don't have a cloud subscription, you can also set up a [local Constellation cluster using virtualization](../getting-started/first-steps-local.md) for testing.
:::
### Required permissions
<tabsgroupId="csp">
<tabItemvalue="azure"label="Azure">
The following [resource providers need to be registered](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-resource-manager/management/resource-providers-and-types#register-resource-provider) in your subscription:
The built-in `Contributor` role is a superset of these permissions.
Follow Microsoft's guide on [understanding](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/role-based-access-control/role-definitions) and [assigning roles](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/role-based-access-control/role-assignments).
1: You can omit `*/register/Action` if the resource providers mentioned above are already registered and the `ARM_SKIP_PROVIDER_REGISTRATION` environment variable is set to `true` when creating the IAM configuration.
</tabItem>
<tabItemvalue="gcp"label="GCP">
Create a new project for Constellation or use an existing one.
Enable the [Compute Engine API](https://console.cloud.google.com/apis/library/compute.googleapis.com) on it.
To [create the IAM configuration](../workflows/config.md#creating-an-iam-configuration) for Constellation, you need the following permissions:
Together, the built-in roles `roles/editor`, `roles/compute.instanceAdmin` and `roles/resourcemanager.projectIamAdmin` form a superset of these permissions.
Follow Google's guide on [understanding](https://cloud.google.com/iam/docs/understanding-roles) and [assigning roles](https://cloud.google.com/iam/docs/granting-changing-revoking-access).
</tabItem>
<tabItemvalue="aws"label="AWS">
To set up a Constellation cluster, you need to perform two tasks that require permissions: create the infrastructure and create roles for cluster nodes. Both of these actions can be performed by different users, e.g., an administrator to create roles and a DevOps engineer to create the infrastructure.
To [create the IAM configuration](../workflows/config.md#creating-an-iam-configuration) for Constellation, you need the following permissions:
```json
{
"Version": "2012-10-17",
"Statement": [
{
"Effect": "Allow",
"Action": [
"ec2:DescribeAccountAttributes",
"iam:AddRoleToInstanceProfile",
"iam:AttachRolePolicy",
"iam:CreateInstanceProfile",
"iam:CreatePolicy",
"iam:CreateRole",
"iam:DeleteInstanceProfile",
"iam:DeletePolicy",
"iam:DeletePolicyVersion",
"iam:DeleteRole",
"iam:DetachRolePolicy",
"iam:GetInstanceProfile",
"iam:GetPolicy",
"iam:GetPolicyVersion",
"iam:GetRole",
"iam:ListAttachedRolePolicies",
"iam:ListInstanceProfilesForRole",
"iam:ListPolicyVersions",
"iam:ListRolePolicies",
"iam:PassRole",
"iam:RemoveRoleFromInstanceProfile",
"sts:GetCallerIdentity"
],
"Resource": "*"
}
]
}
```
The built-in `AdministratorAccess` policy is a superset of these permissions.
To [create a Constellation cluster](../workflows/create.md), see the permissions of [main.tf](https://github.com/edgelesssys/constellation/blob/main/terraform/infrastructure/iam/aws/main.tf).
The built-in `PowerUserAccess` policy is a superset of these permissions.
Follow Amazon's guide on [understanding](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/IAM/latest/UserGuide/access_policies.html) and [managing policies](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/IAM/latest/UserGuide/access_policies_managed-vs-inline.html).
</tabItem>
</tabs>
### Authentication
You need to authenticate with your CSP. The following lists the required steps for *testing* and *production* environments.
:::note
The steps for a *testing* environment are simpler. However, they may expose secrets to the CSP. If in doubt, follow the *production* steps.
:::
<tabsgroupId="csp">
<tabItemvalue="azure"label="Azure">
**Testing**
Simply open the [Azure Cloud Shell](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cloud-shell/overview).
**Production**
Use the latest version of the [Azure CLI](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/cli/azure/) on a trusted machine:
```bash
az login
```
Other options are described in Azure's [authentication guide](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/cli/azure/authenticate-azure-cli).
</tabItem>
<tabItemvalue="gcp"label="GCP">
**Testing**
You can use the [Google Cloud Shell](https://cloud.google.com/shell). Make sure your [session is authorized](https://cloud.google.com/shell/docs/auth). For example, execute `gsutil` and accept the authorization prompt.
**Production**
Use one of the following options on a trusted machine:
Follow [Google's guide](https://cloud.google.com/docs/authentication/production#manually) for setting up your credentials.
</tabItem>
<tabItemvalue="aws"label="AWS">
**Testing**
You can use the [AWS CloudShell](https://console.aws.amazon.com/cloudshell/home). Make sure you are [authorized to use it](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/cloudshell/latest/userguide/sec-auth-with-identities.html).
**Production**
Use the latest version of the [AWS CLI](https://aws.amazon.com/cli/) on a trusted machine:
```bash
aws configure
```
Options and first steps are described in the [AWS CLI documentation](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/cli/index.html).
</tabItem>
</tabs>
## Next steps
You are now ready to [deploy your first confidential Kubernetes cluster and application](first-steps.md).
