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

# Create your first Datacenter proxy

> Set up your first Bright Data Datacenter proxy: sign in, create a proxy in the Control Panel, verify your account and earn $5 credit for first-time setup.

<Callout icon="badge-dollar" color="#4180f9" iconType="solid">
  **Verify your account and get \$5 credit**

  Add a payment method to verify your account and receive a \$5 credit. You won’t be charged at this stage.
</Callout>

<Steps>
  <Step title={<a href="https://brightdata.com/cp/start">Sign in to Bright Data</a>} />

  <Step title={<>Open the <a href="https://brightdata.com/cp/zones/new">Create Proxy</a> page</>}>
    Navigate to **Create Proxy** under the **Proxy** section in the left menu.

    <Frame>
      <img src="https://mintlify.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/brightdata/images/products/data-center/quickstart/create-proxy.png" alt="Create Proxy" />
    </Frame>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose Data Center Proxy">
    Select **Datacenter** and click **Continue**.

    <Frame>
      <img src="https://mintlify.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/brightdata/images/products/data-center/quickstart/select-data-center-proxy.png" alt="Data Center Proxy" />
    </Frame>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Assign a name to your proxy">
    Enter a meaningful name. Optionally, add a short description.

    <Warning>
      **The proxy name cannot be changed once created.**

      All other settings can be modified later, but note that changing the country selection re-allocates proxies and incurs a [Refresh charge](/products/data-center/faqs#how-to-refresh-ips-allocated-to-your-zone). For details, see [Configure your Proxy](/products/data-center/configure-your-proxy).
    </Warning>

    <Frame>
      <img src="https://mintlify.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/brightdata/images/products/data-center/quickstart/config-data-center-proxy.png" alt="Proxy Name" />
    </Frame>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add payment method (free trial users only)">
    If you signed up with a personal email (e.g., Gmail, GitHub) and have not yet added a payment method, the primary button will read **Add payment method** instead of **Create Proxy**.

    Click the button to open the payment verification form and complete the process. You will **not** be charged, this is for identity verification only.

    <Info>
      Already have a payment method on file? This step is skipped automatically. For full details, see [Payment Verification](/general/account/billing-and-pricing/payment-verification).
    </Info>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Finalize proxy creation">
    Click **Create Proxy**. If you were redirected to add a payment method, your zone is created automatically once verification completes. Your proxy is now ready to use.
  </Step>
</Steps>