# Create a Lightsail for Research virtual computer
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Complete the following steps to create a Lightsail for Research virtual computer running an application.

1. Sign in to the [Lightsail for Research console](https://lfr.console.aws.amazon.com/ls/research).

1. On the home page, choose **Create virtual computer**.

1. Select an AWS Region for your virtual computer that is near your physical location.

1. Choose an application and hardware plan. For more information, see [Choose application images and hardware plans for Lightsail for Research](blueprints-plans.md).

1. Enter a name for your virtual computer. Valid characters include alphanumeric characters, numbers, periods, hyphens, and underscores.

   Virtual computer names must also meet the following requirements:
   + Be unique within each AWS Region in your Lightsail for Research account.
   + Contain 2–255 characters.
   + Start and end with an alphanumeric character or number.

1. Choose **Create virtual computer** in the **Summary** panel.

Within minutes, your Lightsail for Research virtual computer is ready and you can connect to it through a graphical user interface (GUI) session. For more information about connecting to your Lightsail for Research virtual computer, see [Access a Lightsail for Research virtual computer application](open-computer-application.md).

**Important**  
Newly created virtual computers have a set of firewall ports open by default. For more information about these ports, see [Manage firewall ports for Lightsail for Research virtual computers](manage-ports.md).