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

# Architecture

> Understand how the dashboard, CLI, and serverhost work together.

SimpleCloud separates managing your network from running your Minecraft servers. You manage the same network through the dashboard or CLI, while serverhosts provide the machines that run it.

## The three parts

<CardGroup cols={3}>
  <Card title="Dashboard" icon="browser" href="/docs/en/manual/setup/dashboard">
    The web interface for configuring your network and viewing servers, logs, and status.
  </Card>

  <Card title="CLI" icon="terminal" href="/docs/en/manual/introduction/architecture/cli">
    The terminal interface for setting up serverhosts and managing the same network without the dashboard.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Serverhost" icon="server" href="/docs/en/manual/introduction/architecture/serverhost">
    The background service that prepares and runs Minecraft servers on its machine.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## How they work together

1. Install a serverhost on every machine whose resources you want SimpleCloud to use.
2. Configure groups and persistent servers in the dashboard or CLI.
3. SimpleCloud starts the requested Minecraft servers on a suitable serverhost and reports their status and logs.

The dashboard and CLI change the same network; choose whichever interface fits the task. The serverhost does not replace either interface—it runs the Minecraft servers you configure through them.

When you add another machine, install another serverhost. SimpleCloud can then use both machines to run your network.

## Next steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Install SimpleCloud" icon="download" href="/docs/en/manual/setup/installation">
    Connect your first machine and start using the dashboard.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Create a server group" icon="layer-group" href="/docs/en/manual/setup/server-groups">
    Run replaceable server instances from shared settings and files.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Create a persistent server" icon="hard-drive" href="/docs/en/manual/setup/persistent-servers">
    Run one named server that keeps its files across restarts.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>