---
title: Clusters for Apache Kafka® - Quickstart
description: Quickstart guide to setting up and managing Scaleway Clusters for Apache Kafka®.
tags: cluster apache kafka
dates:
  validation: 2026-06-19
  posted: 2025-09-15
---
import Requirements from '@macros/iam/requirements.mdx'

Clusters for Apache Kafka® is Scaleway's product to provide a secure, fully-managed infrastructure for your Apache Kafka® deployments. With our clusters, you can create data pipelines and event-driven architectures that run natively on Apache Kafka®, without having to manage the underlying infrastructure.

Follow our quickstart guide to get your first cluster up and running efficiently, and know how to delete it when you no longer need it.

<Requirements />

- A Scaleway account logged into the [console](https://console.scaleway.com)
- [Owner](/iam/concepts/#owner) status or [IAM permissions](/iam/concepts/#permission) allowing you to perform actions in the intended Organization

## How to create a cluster

1. Click **Apache Kafka®** in the **Data and Analytics** section of the [console](https://console.scaleway.com/) side menu. The **Clusters for Apache Kafka®a** product page displays.

2. Click **Create cluster**. The creation wizard displays.

3. Select a **region** for the cluster.

4. Select a **Kafka® version** to run on the cluster.

5. Select an Availability Zone (AZ) configuration for the cluster:
    - **Multi-AZ**: Select this configuration to create a highly available Apache Kafka® cluster. Currently, the multi-AZ offers replicate three nodes over two Availability Zones.
    - **Single-AZ**: Select this configuration to provision an Apache Kafka® cluster in a single AZ without compromising on fault-tolerance and replication.

6. Select a **node type**. Choose between [dedicated or shared nodes](/clusters-for-kafka/concepts/#node), depending on your workload requirements and use case. For shared nodes, various types are available, each offering different cost-performance ratios.

7. Select the **number of nodes** (brokers) you want in the cluster.
    - Allowed number of nodes: 1 - 30, in multiples of 3 (except for a single‑node option).  
    - For highly‑available clusters enabling data replication: use ≥ 3 nodes.  
    - For testing and development: 1 node is sufficient, but note that it is not compatible with a multi‑AZ configuration.

    <Message type="note">
    The number of nodes cannot be changed after cluster creation.
    </Message>

8. Choose the **storage capacity** to define how much Block Storage to provision for each node.

9. Configure **network connectivity**. Currently, connectivity to clusters is facilitated exclusively through **Private Networks**. Select a Private Network from the dropdown list to attach your cluster to.

10. Create **credentials** by defining a username and password. These will be used when connecting to your cluster. Currently, only one user can be created per cluster, and the username is not modifiable after creation (though the password can be changed).

11. Enter a **name**, and (optionally), **tags** to identify your cluster.

12. Check the estimated cost summary, then click **Create cluster**.

Your cluster is created, and you are taken to its **Overview** page in the console.

## How to connect to your cluster

All clients that want to connect to your cluster must:

- Have downloaded the cluster's [TLS certificate](/clusters-for-kafka/how-to/manage-cluster/) and configured the client to recognize it
- Be [attached to a Private Network](/vpc/how-to/attach-resources-to-pn/) in the same VPC as the cluster, or connect via a [Public Gateway](/public-gateways/how-to/create-a-public-gateway/) in the VPC
- Know the cluster's [username and password](/clusters-for-kafka/how-to/connect-to-cluster/#how-to-access-the-username-and-password)

Once you have ensured the client satisfies the conditions above, you can facilitate connection via the framework of your choice. Code snippets are provided for Go, Python and Java; access them by following the steps below.

1. Click **Apache Kafka®** in the **Data and Analytics** section of the [console](https://console.scaleway.com/) side menu. A list of your clusters displays.

2. Click the cluster you want to connect to. Its **Overview** page displays.

3. In the **Connectivity** panel, click **Connect**.

    A pop-up displays, with tabs for each sample framework: **Go**, **Python**, and **Java**.

4. Click the tab of your choice to view the code sample.

## How to configure your cluster

Configuration actions that cannot currently be carried out via the Scaleway console, API or devtools include:

- Creating topics, events, and streams
- Configuring cluster parameters, such as replication factors, retention policies, and partitions
- Integrating clients and consumers

All such actions for internally configuring your cluster can be carried out via a client library or Kafka CLI.

## How to delete a cluster

You can delete your cluster when you no longer need it.

1. Click **Apache Kafka®** in the **Data and Analytics** section of the [console](https://console.scaleway.com/) side menu. A list of your clusters displays.

2. Click the cluster you want to delete. Its **Overview** page displays.

3. Click the **Settings** tab.

4. Click **Delete cluster**.

    A pop-up displays, informing you that this action will permanently delete the cluster, and all data stored on its nodes will be lost.

5. Type **DELETE** in the box, and click **Delete cluster**.

    The cluster is deleted, and you are returned to the product page.