# Adding a Host to the Network

This document guides an admin through adding a single host to the network. Keep
in mind that the steps described here must be done for _each_ host the user
wishes to add.

## Step 1: Choose Hostname

The user will need to provide you with a name for their host. The name should
conform to the following rules:

* It should only contain lowercase letters, numbers, and hyphens.

* It should begin with a letter.

* It should end with a letter or number.

## Step 2: Create a `bootstrap.json` File

To create a `bootstrap.json` file for the new host, the admin should perform the
following command from their own host:

```bash
isle hosts create --hostname <name> >bootstrap.json
```

The resulting `bootstrap.json` file should be treated as a secret file and
shared only with the user it was generated for. The `bootstrap.json` file should
not be re-used between hosts.

The user can now proceed with calling `isle network join`, as described in the
[Getting Started][getting-started] document.

[getting-started]: ../user/getting-started.md