# Preparing a cluster in ElastiCache
<a name="Clusters.Prepare"></a>

Following, you can find instructions on creating a cluster using the ElastiCache console, the Amazon CLI, or the ElastiCache API.

You can also create an ElastiCache cluster using [Amazon CloudFormation](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/AWSCloudFormation/latest/UserGuide/Welcome.html). For more information, see [Amazon::ElastiCache::CacheCluster](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/AWSCloudFormation/latest/UserGuide/aws-properties-elasticache-cache-cluster.html) in the *Amazon Cloud Formation User Guide*, which includes guidance on how to implement that approach.

Whenever you create a cluster or replication group, it is a good idea to do some preparatory work so you won't need to upgrade or make changes right away.

**Topics**
+ [Determining your ElastiCache cluster requirements](cluster-create-determine-requirements.md)
+ [Choosing your node size](CacheNodes.SelectSize.md)