First login

Connect with SSH and update the system.

When the server shows Running in your account, copy its IPv4 address and root password.

On macOS or Linux, open a terminal; on Windows 10 and later, open PowerShell. Run: ssh root@YOUR_SERVER_IP and paste the password when asked. The password does not show while you type.

Update the system right away. On Ubuntu and Debian: apt update && apt upgrade -y. On AlmaLinux and Rocky Linux: dnf upgrade -y.

Then create a normal user for daily work and keep the root password in a password manager.