> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.playflowcloud.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
# Quick Start - Unity Netcode
> Deploy your Unity Netcode for GameObjects server on PlayFlow Cloud
# Deploy Your Unity Netcode Server
This guide assumes you already have a Unity Netcode for GameObjects project and are ready to deploy it on PlayFlow Cloud.
**Unity Netcode for GameObjects** is Unity's official high-level networking library, providing a game-centric networking experience.
## Video Tutorial
Watch the video above for a complete walkthrough of deploying Unity Netcode for GameObjects on PlayFlow Cloud, or follow the written guide below.
## Before We Begin
Ensure you have:
* An existing Unity Netcode for GameObjects project
* Unity Netcode for GameObjects package installed
* NetworkManager configured in your scene
Install the PlayFlow SDK via Unity Package Manager:
```
https://github.com/PlayFlowCloud/PlayFlow-Multiplayer-Unity-SDK.git
```
For detailed instructions, see the [Installation Guide](/guides/installation).
Install **Linux Build Support** modules in Unity Hub for server builds.
See [Unity Modules Setup](/guides/unity-modules) for your Unity version.
## Configure Netcode for PlayFlow
Ensure your NetworkManager has:
* Unity Transport component attached
* Default port set (usually `7777`)
* Network Prefabs configured
Create a script to auto-start the server in headless builds:
```csharp theme={null}
using Unity.Netcode;
using UnityEngine;
public class PlayFlowNetcodeStarter : MonoBehaviour
{
void Start()
{
#if UNITY_SERVER || UNITY_HEADLESS
NetworkManager.Singleton.StartServer();
Debug.Log("Unity Netcode server started on PlayFlow");
#endif
}
}
```
Attach this script to a GameObject in your scene.
For the Unity Transport component on NetworkManager:
* Keep the default port (`7777`)
* Server will automatically bind to `0.0.0.0` in headless builds
Unity Transport handles most server configuration automatically when running in headless mode.
## Deploy to PlayFlow
Go to [PlayFlow Cloud](https://app.playflowcloud.com/) and sign up or log in.
1. Create an Organization (new orgs start on the **Free** plan; upgrade to **Pro** anytime)
2. Create a new project
3. Select **Unity** as the game engine
1. In PlayFlow dashboard, go to **API Keys**
2. Copy your **PlayFlow API Key**
3. In Unity, open **PlayFlow → PlayFlow Cloud**
4. Paste the API key
In the PlayFlow window:
1. Select your game scene
2. Click **Upload Server**
PlayFlow automatically builds and uploads a headless Linux server.
The build process takes a few minutes. You'll see a success message when complete.
## Configure PlayFlow
In PlayFlow dashboard:
1. Go to **Configuration** → **Network Ports**
2. Click **Add Port**
3. Enter:
* **Port Name**: `netcode_game`
* **Port Number**: `7777`
* **Protocol**: **UDP**
4. Save configuration
1. Go to **Servers** tab
2. Click **Create Server**
3. Select your uploaded build
4. Choose a **region** (required) and a compute size
5. Click **Create Server**
Wait for status to change to **Running**.
On the **Free** plan, servers run on the `small` compute size with a 1-hour maximum lifetime, and you can have 1 active server at a time. Choosing a different compute size and longer TTLs (up to 24 hours) requires the **Pro** plan.
1. Click **Details** on your running server
2. Copy the **Host** and **External Port** for your UDP port (these come from the `network_ports[]` array in the server API response — read them at runtime, never hardcode)
3. In your Unity client:
```csharp theme={null}
using Unity.Netcode;
using Unity.Netcode.Transports.UTP;
void ConnectToPlayFlowServer(string host, ushort externalPort)
{
var transport = NetworkManager.Singleton.GetComponent();
transport.SetConnectionData(host, externalPort);
NetworkManager.Singleton.StartClient();
}
```
Pass the **Host** and **External Port** from PlayFlow into this method.
Do **not** connect to port `7777`. `7777` is the internal port your server binds to inside the container. PlayFlow maps UDP through a proxy and allocates a different **external port** for clients. Always read the host and external port from the server's `network_ports[]` response (or the dashboard **Details** panel) at runtime — they change per server.
## Next Steps
Integrate Unity Lobby Service with PlayFlow
Add matchmaking to your Netcode game
Advanced server management techniques
## Success!
Your Unity Netcode server is now running on PlayFlow Cloud! Clients can connect using the server's public IP and port.
## Common Issues
Ensure NetworkManager exists in your scene and that you're not trying to access it too early in the Start() method.
* Verify UDP port 7777 is configured in PlayFlow
* Check that server is binding to 0.0.0.0 not localhost
* Ensure firewall rules allow UDP traffic
* Adjust NetworkTickRate based on your needs
* Configure Unity Transport reliability settings
* Use PlayFlow's server monitoring to identify issues