---
title: init
description: Canonical makes open source secure, reliable and easy to use, providing
  support for Ubuntu and a portfolio of enterprise-grade technologies. Founded in
  2004, Canonical operates globally with team members in over 80 countries.
url: https://canonical-com-2934.demos.haus/maas/docs/init?format=md
---

*Submit*

# init

Initialize MAAS in the specified run mode.

```
maas init [-h] {region+rack,region,rack} ...
```

#### Command-line options

| Option | Effect |
| --- | --- |
| -h, --help | show this help message and exit |

#### Run modes

| Mode | Effect |
| --- | --- |
| region+rack | Both region and rack controllers |
| region | Region controller only |
| rack | Rack controller only |

When installing region or rack+region modes, MAAS needs a PostgreSQL database to connect to.

If you want to set up PostgreSQL for a non-production deployment on this machine, and configure it for use with MAAS, you can install the `maas-test-db` snap before running `maas init`:

```
sudo snap install maas-test-db
sudo maas init region+rack --database-uri maas-test-db:///
```

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Last updated 1 year, 4 months ago. [Help improve this document in the forum](https://discourse.maas.io/t/init/11350).