# Start your first community server

Create a Komms Community server, open public and invite-only channels, and grow without per-member fees.

A server is your community's home in Komms. It can be open to anyone or kept to the people you invite.

## Create the server

1. Sign in and choose **Create a server**.
2. Name it, add an icon and a short description.
3. Choose whether it's **public** (anyone with the link can find and read its public channels) or **invite-only**.

Every new server starts on **Community Free**.

## Public and private channels

- **Public channels** are readable by anyone, by design. They suit announcements, open discussion and anything you'd post on a forum.
- **Private channels** are end-to-end encrypted and visible only to their members. Use them for moderators, members-only spaces or anything sensitive.

> [!WARNING]
> Don't post private information in a public channel. Public posts can be read and copied by anyone who opens the channel. See [What others can see](what-others-can-see).

## Invite members

Share your server link or send invites. New members join with a passkey, with no password to create. Reading a public channel doesn't create an identity; one is created when a member first posts, reacts or messages someone.

Members are never counted or charged for, on any plan.

## Moderate

Give trusted members the moderator role. Moderators can remove messages, pin posts and remove or ban members. See [Roles and moderation](roles-and-moderation).

## Grow

When your community needs more room for photos and files, upgrade to **Community Plus**. For very large communities, or help moving from another platform, talk to us about **Large communities**. See [Plans and pricing](plans-and-pricing).