Merge pull request #1692 from redis/DOC-5175

RC: Create a Free database

Author: cmilesb

content/operate/rc/changelog/june-2025.md

@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
+---
+Title: Redis Cloud changelog (June 2025)
+alwaysopen: false
+categories:
+- docs
+- operate
+- rc
+description: New features, enhancements, and other changes added to Redis Cloud during
+  June 2025.
+highlights: Free database selection
+linktitle: June 2025
+weight: 28
+---
+
+## New features
+
+### Free database selection
+
+You can now create a free database from the [Create a database]({{< relref "/operate/rc/databases/create-database/create-free-database" >}}) page. Free databases are perfect for learning and exploring Redis. You get 30 MB of space for you to learn Redis concepts and develop application prototypes.
+
+You can only have one free database per account. If you already have a free database, you can [delete it]({{< relref "/operate/rc/databases/delete-database" >}}) or [upgrade it to a paid Essentials plan]({{< relref "/operate/rc/subscriptions/view-essentials-subscription#upgrade-plan" >}}) before creating a new one.

content/operate/rc/databases/create-database/_index.md

@@ -19,6 +19,9 @@ An **Essentials** plan is a fixed monthly price for a single database. It is cos
 - [Create an Essentials database]({{< relref "/operate/rc/databases/create-database/create-essentials-database" >}})
 - [Create a Redis Flex database]({{< relref "/operate/rc/databases/create-database/create-flex-database" >}})
 
+A **Free** plan is a type of Essentials plan designed for learning and building test projects. It gives you enough space to learn Redis concepts and develop application prototypes. You can upgrade to a paid Essentials plan at any time.
+- [Create a free database]({{< relref "/operate/rc/databases/create-database/create-free-database" >}})
+
 A **Pro** plan is an hourly price based on capacity. It supports more databases, larger databases, greater throughput, and unlimited connections. 
 - [Create a Pro database with a new subscription]({{< relref "/operate/rc/databases/create-database/create-pro-database-new" >}})
 - [Create a Pro database in an existing subscription]({{< relref "/operate/rc/databases/create-database/create-pro-database-existing" >}})

content/operate/rc/databases/create-database/create-essentials-database.md

@@ -13,14 +13,17 @@ aliases:
 tocEmbedHeaders: true
 ---
 
+Redis Cloud Essentials is cost-efficient and designed for low-throughput scenarios. You can quickly scale up your Essentials database as your application grows.
+
 {{< embed-md "rc-create-db-first-steps.md" >}} 
 
 3. Select the type of [subscription]({{< relref "/operate/rc/subscriptions" >}}) you need. For this guide, select **Essentials**.
 
     {{<image filename="images/rc/create-database-subscription-essentials.png" alt="The Subscription selection panel with Essentials selected.">}}
 
     {{< note >}}
-This guide shows how to create an Essentials database.
+This guide shows how to create a paid Essentials database.
+- If you want to create a free Essentials database, see [Create a free database]({{< relref "/operate/rc/rc-quickstart" >}}). You can only have one free database per account.
 - If you'd rather create a Redis Flex database on Redis Cloud Essentials, see [Create a Redis Flex database]({{< relref "/operate/rc/databases/create-database/create-flex-database" >}})
 - If you'd rather create a Pro database, see [Create a Pro database with a new subscription]({{< relref "/operate/rc/databases/create-database/create-pro-database-new" >}}).
 - If you already have a Pro subscription and want to add a database to it, see [Create a Pro database in an existing subscription]({{< relref "/operate/rc/databases/create-database/create-pro-database-existing" >}}).
@@ -58,7 +61,7 @@ This guide shows how to create an Essentials database.
 
     See [Data persistence]({{< relref "/operate/rc/databases/configuration/data-persistence" >}}) for more information about these settings.
 
-1. Select the desired memory limit. To create a free database, select the 30 MB memory limit. You can only have one free database at a time.
+1. Select the desired memory limit.
 
     {{<image filename="images/rc/subscription-new-fixed-tiers.png" alt="Available Essentials plans." >}}
 
@@ -72,10 +75,10 @@ This guide shows how to create an Essentials database.
 
     {{< embed-md "rc-credit-card-add.md" >}}
 
-1. Select **Create database** or **Confirm & pay** to create your database.
+1. Select **Confirm & pay** to create your database.
 
 {{<image filename="images/rc/button-create-db-confirm-pay.png" width="140px" alt="Select Confirm & Pay to create your new database." >}}
 
 When you create your database, there's a brief pause while your request is processed and then the **Database details** page appears.
 
-
+You can now [connect to your database]({{< relref "/operate/rc/databases/connect" >}}) and start working with Redis.

content/operate/rc/databases/create-database/create-free-database.md

@@ -0,0 +1,40 @@
+---
+Title: Create a free database
+alwaysopen: false
+categories:
+- docs
+- operate
+- rc
+description: Shows how to create a free database.
+linkTitle: Create free database
+weight: 2
+tocEmbedHeaders: true
+---
+
+Free databases are perfect for learning and exploring Redis. You get 30 MB of space for you to learn Redis concepts and develop application prototypes.
+
+{{< note >}}
+You can only have one free database per account. If you already have a free database, you can [delete it]({{< relref "/operate/rc/databases/delete-database" >}}) or [upgrade it to a paid Essentials plan]({{< relref "/operate/rc/subscriptions/view-essentials-subscription#upgrade-plan" >}}) before creating a new one.
+{{</note>}}
+
+{{< embed-md "rc-create-db-first-steps.md" >}} 
+
+3. Select the type of [subscription]({{< relref "/operate/rc/subscriptions" >}}) you need. For this guide, select **Free**.
+
+    {{<image filename="images/rc/create-database-subscription-free.png" alt="The Subscription selection panel with Free selected.">}}
+
+    After you select **Free**, the rest of the database settings will appear.
+
+    {{<image filename="images/rc/create-database-free-settings.png" alt="The database name, cloud vendor, and region settings.">}}
+
+4. Redis will generate a database name for you. If you want to change it, you can do so in the **Database name** field. 
+
+5. Choose your **Cloud vendor** and **Region**.
+
+6. Select **Create database**.
+
+    {{<image filename="images/rc/button-create-db.png" width="140px" alt="Select the Create database button to create your new database." >}}
+
+    When you create your database, there's a brief pause while your request is processed and then the **Database details** page appears.
+
+You can now [connect to your database]({{< relref "/operate/rc/databases/connect" >}}) and start working with Redis. Once your app is ready to scale up, you can [upgrade to a paid Essentials plan]({{< relref "/operate/rc/subscriptions/view-essentials-subscription#upgrade-plan" >}}) at any time.

content/operate/rc/databases/create-database/create-pro-database-new.md

@@ -11,6 +11,8 @@ weight: 10
 tocEmbedHeaders: true
 ---
 
+Redis Cloud Pro supports more databases, larger databases, greater throughput, and unlimited connections compared to Redis Cloud Essentials. Redis Cloud Pro databases are perfect for teams building mission-critical systems in the cloud.
+
 {{< embed-md "rc-create-db-first-steps.md" >}}
 
 3. Select the type of [subscription]({{< relref "/operate/rc/subscriptions" >}}) you need. For this guide, select **Pro**.