> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.hivel.ai/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.hivel.ai/self-managed-hivel-deployment/virtual-private-cloud/aws/hivel-on-premises-deployment-guide-aws/prerequisites-overview/deployment-decision-guide-what-you-need-before-starting.md).

# Deployment Decision Guide, What You Need Before Starting

You'll make three choices during deployment. Review them now so they're familiar when you encounter them later in the guide.

**Three Key Decisions**

| **Decision**                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          | **Recommended (for most customers)**                                    | **Advanced**                                                                     |
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Container registry (see [ECR Access Configuration](/self-managed-hivel-deployment/virtual-private-cloud/aws/hivel-on-premises-deployment-guide-aws/ecr-access-configuration.md))                                                                                                      | Use Hivel's ECR (scoped credentials, Hivel manages distribution)        | Use your own ECR (you control image distribution; requires custom configuration) |
| Deploying services (see [Deployment Methods](/self-managed-hivel-deployment/virtual-private-cloud/aws/hivel-on-premises-deployment-guide-aws/deployment-methods.md))                                                                                                                  | Deploy.sh script (fastest, automates authentication and health checks)  | Docker Compose directly (manual, for custom orchestration or staged rollouts)    |
| Public / HTTPS access (see [Verification and Access](/self-managed-hivel-deployment/virtual-private-cloud/aws/hivel-on-premises-deployment-guide-aws/verification-and-access.md) and the [DNS Setup page](/self-managed-hivel-deployment/virtual-private-cloud/aws/dns-setup-aws.md)) | Route53 + ALB or Caddy with domain (trusted, auto-renewing certificate) | Direct EC2 IP or Caddy self-signed (testing only; never for production)          |

### **Prerequisites Checklist**

Before you start, confirm you have:

* AWS Account with permissions to create EC2, RDS, and (if using your own ECR) container repositories
* EC2 instance provisioned (see sizing requirements)
* RDS PostgreSQL instance (you'll provision this in RDS Database Setup, coming up in this guide)
* AWS CLI installed and configured on the VM
* Docker and Docker Compose installed on the VM
* PostgreSQL client (psql) installed on the VM. Used to test RDS and create the database
* Hivel license files (`license_signed.json`). Provided by your Hivel contact
* Hivel AWS Access Credentials (Access Key ID and Secret Access Key). For ECR access
* Hivel S3 Download Access. Bucket path or pre-signed URL for the installer package

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**Important**

If you don't have your license files, ECR credentials, or S3 access, contact Hivel before starting. The deployment cannot complete without them.
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