> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://hoopdev-fix-add-missing-mechanic-for-session-download-button.mintlify.site/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Getting Started

> Secure gateway access to your infrastructure with AI-powered security

<img className="block dark:hidden" src="https://mintcdn.com/hoopdev-fix-add-missing-mechanic-for-session-download-button/CSN3Tfze1AaWBPxZ/images/introduction/lp-hero.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=CSN3Tfze1AaWBPxZ&q=85&s=a9fda3fdd59a960c75141c31bbb11b81" width="942" height="507" data-path="images/introduction/lp-hero.png" />

<img className="hidden dark:block" src="https://mintcdn.com/hoopdev-fix-add-missing-mechanic-for-session-download-button/CSN3Tfze1AaWBPxZ/images/introduction/lp-hero-2.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=CSN3Tfze1AaWBPxZ&q=85&s=851d8f710f7facdc50945db9336455b7" width="942" height="507" data-path="images/introduction/lp-hero-2.png" />

Hoop.dev is an access gateway for databases and servers with AI-powered automations that eliminate cumbersome access policies and break-glass workflows without compromising security. Our platform provides secure, auditable, and easy-to-manage access to your infrastructure.

## The Challenge of Infrastructure Access

Organizations face significant challenges when managing access to critical infrastructure:

* Security risks from overly permissive access policies
* Productivity bottlenecks from complex approval workflows
* Compliance headaches due to inadequate audit trails
* Visibility gaps in understanding who accessed what and when
* Sensitive data exposure risks during access sessions

Hoop.dev addresses these challenges by providing a secure gateway that sits between your users and your infrastructure, delivering zero-config security features that protect your resources while streamlining access for developers.

## Our Solutions

Hoop.dev offers a range of features to help you secure your infrastructure and streamline access for developers, including:

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="AI Data Masking" icon="mask" href="/learn/features/ai-data-masking">
    Zero-config DLP policies that automatically mask sensitive data in real-time at the protocol layer. Protect PII, credentials, and other sensitive information without requiring complex rule setup.

    <br />

    **Learn more** <Icon icon="arrow-right" />
  </Card>

  <Card title="Reviews" icon="clock" href="/learn/features/reviews/overview">
    Enable time-based access sessions or command-level reviews. Users request access or review while approvers guarantee security without sacrificing productivity.

    <br />

    **Learn more** <Icon icon="arrow-right" />
  </Card>

  <Card title="Access Control" icon="lock" href="/learn/features/access-control">
    Define granular access policies determining which users or groups can access specific connections. Integrate with your existing identity provider to maintain consistent access governance.

    <br />

    **Learn more** <Icon icon="arrow-right" />
  </Card>

  <Card title="Guardrails" icon="shield" href="/learn/features/guardrails">
    Intelligent protection layer that automatically enforces access policies and prevents risky operations in real-time. Keep your infrastructure secure with smart command filtering and context-aware access.

    <br />

    **Learn more** <Icon icon="arrow-right" />
  </Card>

  <Card title="Runbooks" icon="book" href="/learn/features/runbooks">
    Automate tasks with templated runbooks. Create, share, and execute procedures through a Git-based system, improving consistency and reducing errors.

    <br />

    **Learn more** <Icon icon="arrow-right" />
  </Card>

  <Card icon="key" title="Secrets Management" href="/learn/features/secrets-manager">
    Securely integrate with most popular secrets management tools. Dynamically expand environment variables without exposing sensitive credentials.

    <br />

    **Learn more** <Icon icon="arrow-right" />
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Common Use Cases

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Database Access Management">
    Provide secure, audited access to databases while masking sensitive data. Enable developers to run queries without direct access to production credentials.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Secure Server Access Without VPN">
    Eliminate the need for VPN by providing secure, authenticated access to servers and applications through Hoop.dev's gateway.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Compliance & Auditing">
    Meet regulatory requirements with comprehensive session recordings, access logs, and data protection features that document who accessed what and when.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Developer Productivity">
    Streamline access to resources developers need while maintaining security guardrails that protect sensitive systems and data.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Getting Started

Hoop.dev is currently available in managed and self-hosted modes. Choose the option that best fits your needs:

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Managed Service" icon="cloud" href="https://hoop.dev/start">
    Get started with our managed platform. No complex setup required - just register and begin connecting your resources to secure your infrastructure access immediately.

    <br />

    **Create free account** <Icon icon="arrow-right" />
  </Card>

  <Card title="Self-Hosted" icon="server" href="/setup/deployment/overview">
    Deploy Hoop.dev in your own infrastructure using Docker, Kubernetes, or AWS. Take full control over your environment setup with the same powerful features.

    <br />

    **Go to deployment guide** <Icon icon="arrow-right" />
  </Card>
</CardGroup>
