# Create and manage an Amazon EKS cluster with a node group
<a name="sample-eks-cluster"></a>

This sample project demonstrates how to use Step Functions and Amazon Elastic Kubernetes Service to create an Amazon EKS cluster with a node group, run a job on Amazon EKS, then examine the output. When finished, it removes the node groups and Amazon EKS cluster.

For more information about Step Functions and Step Functions service integrations, see the following:
+ [Integrating services with Step Functions](integrate-services.md)
+ [Create and manage Amazon EKS clusters with Step Functions](connect-eks.md)

**Note**  
This sample project may incur charges.  
For new AWS users, a free usage tier is available. On this tier, services are free below a certain level of usage. For more information about AWS costs and the Free Tier, see [Amazon EKS Pricing](https://aws.amazon.com/eks/pricing/).

## Step 1: Create the state machine
<a name="sample-eks-cluster-create"></a>

1. Open the [Step Functions console](https://console.aws.amazon.com/states/home?region=us-east-1#/) and choose **Create state machine**.

1. Choose **Create from template** and find the related starter template. Choose **Next** to continue.

1. Choose how to use the template:

   1. **Run a demo** – creates a read-only state machine. After review, you can create the workflow and all related resources.

   1. **Build on it** – provides an editable workflow definition that you can review, customize, and deploy with your own resources. (Related resources, such as functions or queues, will **not** be created automatically.)

1. Choose **Use template** to continue with your selection.
**Note**  
*Standard charges apply for services deployed to your account.*

## Step 2: Run the demo state machine
<a name="sample-eks-cluster-start-execution"></a>

If you chose the **Run a demo** option, all related resources will be deployed and ready to run. If you chose the **Build on it** option, you might need to set placeholder values and create additional resources before you can run your custom workflow.

1. Choose **Deploy and run**.

1. Wait for the CloudFormation stack to deploy. This can take up to 10 minutes.

1. After the **Start execution** option appears, review the **Input** and choose **Start execution**.

**Congratulations\$1**  
You should now have a running demo of your state machine. You can choose states in the **Graph view** to review input, output, variables, definition, and events.