[Yandex Cloud documentation](../index.md) > [Yandex Object Storage](index.md) > [Getting started](quickstart/overview.md) > Getting started with Object Storage

# Getting started with Yandex Object Storage

In this section, you will learn how to use Yandex Object Storage via the Yandex Cloud management console. To learn how to use the AWS CLI, see [Getting started with the AWS CLI in Yandex Object Storage](quickstart/quickstart-aws-cli.md).

To get started with Object Storage:

1. [Create a bucket](#the-first-bucket) for storing data.
1. [Upload a file to the bucket](#upload-files).
1. [Get a download link for the file](#get-link).


## Getting started {#before-you-begin}

1. Navigate to the [management console](https://console.yandex.cloud) and log in to Yandex Cloud or sign up if not signed up yet.
1. On the [**Yandex Cloud Billing**](https://center.yandex.cloud/billing/accounts) page, make sure you have a [billing account](../billing/concepts/billing-account.md) linked and its status is `ACTIVE` or `TRIAL_ACTIVE`. If you do not have a billing account yet, [create one](../billing/quickstart/index.md#create_billing_account).
1. [Assign](../iam/operations/roles/grant.md) the `editor` [role](../iam/roles-reference.md#editor) or higher to your Yandex Cloud account. The role must be assigned for the [folder](../resource-manager/concepts/resources-hierarchy.md#folder) you will be working with or the [cloud](../resource-manager/concepts/resources-hierarchy.md#cloud) the folder belongs to.

    {% note info %}
    
    If you cannot manage roles, contact your cloud or organization administrator.
    
    {% endnote %}


## Creating the first bucket {#the-first-bucket}

To create your first bucket in Object Storage:

1. In the [management console](https://console.yandex.cloud), select the folder where you want to create a bucket.
1. Click **Create resource** and select ![bucket](../_assets/storage/bucket.svg) **Bucket**.
1. Enter a name for the bucket.

    The bucket name must be unique across Object Storage. It is used as part of the data access URL and is visible to your data users.
1. Limit the maximum bucket size, if required.

    If the value is `0`, the size is not limited. It is similar to the enabled **No limit** option.

1. If you want the files you upload to be always accessible from outside of Yandex Cloud, configure public [access](concepts/bucket.md#bucket-access). 

    {% note warning %}
    
    Public access is granted to an unlimited number of anonymous users. Use it only when other access grant mechanisms are not available.
    
    {% endnote %}

    In a bucket with restricted access, you can also make the uploaded files accessible with the help of [temporary links](concepts/pre-signed-urls.md).

1. Choose the default [storage class](concepts/storage-class.md) to use when uploading objects:
    * _Standard storage_ is designed for storing frequently used objects.
    * _Cold storage_ is designed for long-term storage of objects that are rarely read.
    * _Ice storage_ is designed for objects you need to store for at least one year and which rarely get read requests.
    * _Intelligent tiering storage_ automatically optimizes costs by moving objects between access levels based on how often they are accessed.
1. Click **Create bucket**.

## Uploading files to a bucket {#upload-files}

To upload an object to a bucket:

1. In the [management console](https://console.yandex.cloud), select a folder.
1. Navigate to **Object Storage**.
1. Click the name of the bucket you need.
1. To upload files to the bucket, drag them to the bucket screen or click ![bucket](../_assets/storage/upload.svg) **Upload** and confirm the upload of the files.

## Getting a file download link {#get-link}

To get a link to an uploaded object:

1. In the [management console](https://console.yandex.cloud), select a folder.
1. Navigate to **Object Storage**.
1. Click the name of the bucket you need.
1. Click the object name.
1. Click ![link](../_assets/storage/link.svg) **Get link** in the top-right corner.
1. For a bucket with restricted access, specify the link **Lifetime** in hours or days (the maximum time is 30 days).
1. Click **Get link**.
1. Copy the link.

You can share the link you got or use it in your service to access the file.

To perform operations with buckets and objects, you can use [other tools](tools/index.md) in addition to the Yandex Cloud management console.


## Useful links {#see-also}

* [Getting started with the AWS CLI in Yandex Object Storage](quickstart/quickstart-aws-cli.md)
* [Getting started with AWS S3 API in Yandex Object Storage](s3/s3-api-quickstart.md)
* [Webinar: Reducing load on high-traffic infrastructure with Cloud CDN](https://yandex.cloud/ru/events/1489?utm_source=docs&utm_medium=yandex&utm_campaign=infra&utm_content=vebinar&utm_term=cdns3)