diff --git a/cli/cli/commands/cloud/load/load.go b/cli/cli/commands/cloud/load/load.go
index 0996a88613..1acfcd7d04 100644
--- a/cli/cli/commands/cloud/load/load.go
+++ b/cli/cli/commands/cloud/load/load.go
@@ -22,7 +22,6 @@ import (
 const (
 	instanceIdentifierArgKey      = "instance-id"
 	instanceIdentifierArgIsGreedy = false
-	kurtosisCloudApiKeyEnvVarArg  = "KURTOSIS_CLOUD_API_KEY"
 )
 
 var LoadCmd = &lowlevel.LowlevelKurtosisCommand{
@@ -50,7 +49,7 @@ func run(ctx context.Context, _ *flags.ParsedFlags, args *args.ParsedArgs) error
 	apiKey, err := cloudhelper.LoadApiKey()
 	if err != nil {
 		return stacktrace.Propagate(err, "Could not load an API Key. Check that it's defined using the "+
-			"%s env var and it's a valid (active) key", kurtosisCloudApiKeyEnvVarArg)
+			"%s env var and it's a valid (active) key", cloudhelper.KurtosisCloudApiKeyEnvVarArg)
 	}
 
 	cloudConfig, err := cloudhelper.GetCloudConfig()
diff --git a/cloud/api/golang/kurtosis_backend_server_rpc_api_bindings/kurtosis_backend_server_api.pb.go b/cloud/api/golang/kurtosis_backend_server_rpc_api_bindings/kurtosis_backend_server_api.pb.go
index 4c0ab6babc..5d3e133631 100644
--- a/cloud/api/golang/kurtosis_backend_server_rpc_api_bindings/kurtosis_backend_server_api.pb.go
+++ b/cloud/api/golang/kurtosis_backend_server_rpc_api_bindings/kurtosis_backend_server_api.pb.go
@@ -21,6 +21,194 @@ const (
 	_ = protoimpl.EnforceVersion(protoimpl.MaxVersion - 20)
 )
 
+type GetOrCreateApiKeyRequest struct {
+	state         protoimpl.MessageState
+	sizeCache     protoimpl.SizeCache
+	unknownFields protoimpl.UnknownFields
+
+	AccessToken string `protobuf:"bytes,1,opt,name=access_token,json=accessToken,proto3" json:"access_token,omitempty"`
+}
+
+func (x *GetOrCreateApiKeyRequest) Reset() {
+	*x = GetOrCreateApiKeyRequest{}
+	if protoimpl.UnsafeEnabled {
+		mi := &file_kurtosis_backend_server_api_proto_msgTypes[0]
+		ms := protoimpl.X.MessageStateOf(protoimpl.Pointer(x))
+		ms.StoreMessageInfo(mi)
+	}
+}
+
+func (x *GetOrCreateApiKeyRequest) String() string {
+	return protoimpl.X.MessageStringOf(x)
+}
+
+func (*GetOrCreateApiKeyRequest) ProtoMessage() {}
+
+func (x *GetOrCreateApiKeyRequest) ProtoReflect() protoreflect.Message {
+	mi := &file_kurtosis_backend_server_api_proto_msgTypes[0]
+	if protoimpl.UnsafeEnabled && x != nil {
+		ms := protoimpl.X.MessageStateOf(protoimpl.Pointer(x))
+		if ms.LoadMessageInfo() == nil {
+			ms.StoreMessageInfo(mi)
+		}
+		return ms
+	}
+	return mi.MessageOf(x)
+}
+
+// Deprecated: Use GetOrCreateApiKeyRequest.ProtoReflect.Descriptor instead.
+func (*GetOrCreateApiKeyRequest) Descriptor() ([]byte, []int) {
+	return file_kurtosis_backend_server_api_proto_rawDescGZIP(), []int{0}
+}
+
+func (x *GetOrCreateApiKeyRequest) GetAccessToken() string {
+	if x != nil {
+		return x.AccessToken
+	}
+	return ""
+}
+
+type GetOrCreateApiKeyResponse struct {
+	state         protoimpl.MessageState
+	sizeCache     protoimpl.SizeCache
+	unknownFields protoimpl.UnknownFields
+
+	ApiKey string `protobuf:"bytes,1,opt,name=api_key,json=apiKey,proto3" json:"api_key,omitempty"`
+}
+
+func (x *GetOrCreateApiKeyResponse) Reset() {
+	*x = GetOrCreateApiKeyResponse{}
+	if protoimpl.UnsafeEnabled {
+		mi := &file_kurtosis_backend_server_api_proto_msgTypes[1]
+		ms := protoimpl.X.MessageStateOf(protoimpl.Pointer(x))
+		ms.StoreMessageInfo(mi)
+	}
+}
+
+func (x *GetOrCreateApiKeyResponse) String() string {
+	return protoimpl.X.MessageStringOf(x)
+}
+
+func (*GetOrCreateApiKeyResponse) ProtoMessage() {}
+
+func (x *GetOrCreateApiKeyResponse) ProtoReflect() protoreflect.Message {
+	mi := &file_kurtosis_backend_server_api_proto_msgTypes[1]
+	if protoimpl.UnsafeEnabled && x != nil {
+		ms := protoimpl.X.MessageStateOf(protoimpl.Pointer(x))
+		if ms.LoadMessageInfo() == nil {
+			ms.StoreMessageInfo(mi)
+		}
+		return ms
+	}
+	return mi.MessageOf(x)
+}
+
+// Deprecated: Use GetOrCreateApiKeyResponse.ProtoReflect.Descriptor instead.
+func (*GetOrCreateApiKeyResponse) Descriptor() ([]byte, []int) {
+	return file_kurtosis_backend_server_api_proto_rawDescGZIP(), []int{1}
+}
+
+func (x *GetOrCreateApiKeyResponse) GetApiKey() string {
+	if x != nil {
+		return x.ApiKey
+	}
+	return ""
+}
+
+type GetOrCreateInstanceRequest struct {
+	state         protoimpl.MessageState
+	sizeCache     protoimpl.SizeCache
+	unknownFields protoimpl.UnknownFields
+
+	ApiKey string `protobuf:"bytes,1,opt,name=api_key,json=apiKey,proto3" json:"api_key,omitempty"`
+}
+
+func (x *GetOrCreateInstanceRequest) Reset() {
+	*x = GetOrCreateInstanceRequest{}
+	if protoimpl.UnsafeEnabled {
+		mi := &file_kurtosis_backend_server_api_proto_msgTypes[2]
+		ms := protoimpl.X.MessageStateOf(protoimpl.Pointer(x))
+		ms.StoreMessageInfo(mi)
+	}
+}
+
+func (x *GetOrCreateInstanceRequest) String() string {
+	return protoimpl.X.MessageStringOf(x)
+}
+
+func (*GetOrCreateInstanceRequest) ProtoMessage() {}
+
+func (x *GetOrCreateInstanceRequest) ProtoReflect() protoreflect.Message {
+	mi := &file_kurtosis_backend_server_api_proto_msgTypes[2]
+	if protoimpl.UnsafeEnabled && x != nil {
+		ms := protoimpl.X.MessageStateOf(protoimpl.Pointer(x))
+		if ms.LoadMessageInfo() == nil {
+			ms.StoreMessageInfo(mi)
+		}
+		return ms
+	}
+	return mi.MessageOf(x)
+}
+
+// Deprecated: Use GetOrCreateInstanceRequest.ProtoReflect.Descriptor instead.
+func (*GetOrCreateInstanceRequest) Descriptor() ([]byte, []int) {
+	return file_kurtosis_backend_server_api_proto_rawDescGZIP(), []int{2}
+}
+
+func (x *GetOrCreateInstanceRequest) GetApiKey() string {
+	if x != nil {
+		return x.ApiKey
+	}
+	return ""
+}
+
+type GetOrCreateInstanceResponse struct {
+	state         protoimpl.MessageState
+	sizeCache     protoimpl.SizeCache
+	unknownFields protoimpl.UnknownFields
+
+	InstanceId string `protobuf:"bytes,1,opt,name=instance_id,json=instanceId,proto3" json:"instance_id,omitempty"`
+}
+
+func (x *GetOrCreateInstanceResponse) Reset() {
+	*x = GetOrCreateInstanceResponse{}
+	if protoimpl.UnsafeEnabled {
+		mi := &file_kurtosis_backend_server_api_proto_msgTypes[3]
+		ms := protoimpl.X.MessageStateOf(protoimpl.Pointer(x))
+		ms.StoreMessageInfo(mi)
+	}
+}
+
+func (x *GetOrCreateInstanceResponse) String() string {
+	return protoimpl.X.MessageStringOf(x)
+}
+
+func (*GetOrCreateInstanceResponse) ProtoMessage() {}
+
+func (x *GetOrCreateInstanceResponse) ProtoReflect() protoreflect.Message {
+	mi := &file_kurtosis_backend_server_api_proto_msgTypes[3]
+	if protoimpl.UnsafeEnabled && x != nil {
+		ms := protoimpl.X.MessageStateOf(protoimpl.Pointer(x))
+		if ms.LoadMessageInfo() == nil {
+			ms.StoreMessageInfo(mi)
+		}
+		return ms
+	}
+	return mi.MessageOf(x)
+}
+
+// Deprecated: Use GetOrCreateInstanceResponse.ProtoReflect.Descriptor instead.
+func (*GetOrCreateInstanceResponse) Descriptor() ([]byte, []int) {
+	return file_kurtosis_backend_server_api_proto_rawDescGZIP(), []int{3}
+}
+
+func (x *GetOrCreateInstanceResponse) GetInstanceId() string {
+	if x != nil {
+		return x.InstanceId
+	}
+	return ""
+}
+
 type CreateCloudInstanceConfigArgs struct {
 	state         protoimpl.MessageState
 	sizeCache     protoimpl.SizeCache
@@ -33,7 +221,7 @@ type CreateCloudInstanceConfigArgs struct {
 func (x *CreateCloudInstanceConfigArgs) Reset() {
 	*x = CreateCloudInstanceConfigArgs{}
 	if protoimpl.UnsafeEnabled {
-		mi := &file_kurtosis_backend_server_api_proto_msgTypes[0]
+		mi := &file_kurtosis_backend_server_api_proto_msgTypes[4]
 		ms := protoimpl.X.MessageStateOf(protoimpl.Pointer(x))
 		ms.StoreMessageInfo(mi)
 	}
@@ -46,7 +234,7 @@ func (x *CreateCloudInstanceConfigArgs) String() string {
 func (*CreateCloudInstanceConfigArgs) ProtoMessage() {}
 
 func (x *CreateCloudInstanceConfigArgs) ProtoReflect() protoreflect.Message {
-	mi := &file_kurtosis_backend_server_api_proto_msgTypes[0]
+	mi := &file_kurtosis_backend_server_api_proto_msgTypes[4]
 	if protoimpl.UnsafeEnabled && x != nil {
 		ms := protoimpl.X.MessageStateOf(protoimpl.Pointer(x))
 		if ms.LoadMessageInfo() == nil {
@@ -59,7 +247,7 @@ func (x *CreateCloudInstanceConfigArgs) ProtoReflect() protoreflect.Message {
 
 // Deprecated: Use CreateCloudInstanceConfigArgs.ProtoReflect.Descriptor instead.
 func (*CreateCloudInstanceConfigArgs) Descriptor() ([]byte, []int) {
-	return file_kurtosis_backend_server_api_proto_rawDescGZIP(), []int{0}
+	return file_kurtosis_backend_server_api_proto_rawDescGZIP(), []int{4}
 }
 
 func (x *CreateCloudInstanceConfigArgs) GetApiKey() string {
@@ -87,7 +275,7 @@ type CreateCloudInstanceConfigResponse struct {
 func (x *CreateCloudInstanceConfigResponse) Reset() {
 	*x = CreateCloudInstanceConfigResponse{}
 	if protoimpl.UnsafeEnabled {
-		mi := &file_kurtosis_backend_server_api_proto_msgTypes[1]
+		mi := &file_kurtosis_backend_server_api_proto_msgTypes[5]
 		ms := protoimpl.X.MessageStateOf(protoimpl.Pointer(x))
 		ms.StoreMessageInfo(mi)
 	}
@@ -100,7 +288,7 @@ func (x *CreateCloudInstanceConfigResponse) String() string {
 func (*CreateCloudInstanceConfigResponse) ProtoMessage() {}
 
 func (x *CreateCloudInstanceConfigResponse) ProtoReflect() protoreflect.Message {
-	mi := &file_kurtosis_backend_server_api_proto_msgTypes[1]
+	mi := &file_kurtosis_backend_server_api_proto_msgTypes[5]
 	if protoimpl.UnsafeEnabled && x != nil {
 		ms := protoimpl.X.MessageStateOf(protoimpl.Pointer(x))
 		if ms.LoadMessageInfo() == nil {
@@ -113,7 +301,7 @@ func (x *CreateCloudInstanceConfigResponse) ProtoReflect() protoreflect.Message
 
 // Deprecated: Use CreateCloudInstanceConfigResponse.ProtoReflect.Descriptor instead.
 func (*CreateCloudInstanceConfigResponse) Descriptor() ([]byte, []int) {
-	return file_kurtosis_backend_server_api_proto_rawDescGZIP(), []int{1}
+	return file_kurtosis_backend_server_api_proto_rawDescGZIP(), []int{5}
 }
 
 func (x *CreateCloudInstanceConfigResponse) GetInstanceId() string {
@@ -135,7 +323,7 @@ type GetCloudInstanceConfigArgs struct {
 func (x *GetCloudInstanceConfigArgs) Reset() {
 	*x = GetCloudInstanceConfigArgs{}
 	if protoimpl.UnsafeEnabled {
-		mi := &file_kurtosis_backend_server_api_proto_msgTypes[2]
+		mi := &file_kurtosis_backend_server_api_proto_msgTypes[6]
 		ms := protoimpl.X.MessageStateOf(protoimpl.Pointer(x))
 		ms.StoreMessageInfo(mi)
 	}
@@ -148,7 +336,7 @@ func (x *GetCloudInstanceConfigArgs) String() string {
 func (*GetCloudInstanceConfigArgs) ProtoMessage() {}
 
 func (x *GetCloudInstanceConfigArgs) ProtoReflect() protoreflect.Message {
-	mi := &file_kurtosis_backend_server_api_proto_msgTypes[2]
+	mi := &file_kurtosis_backend_server_api_proto_msgTypes[6]
 	if protoimpl.UnsafeEnabled && x != nil {
 		ms := protoimpl.X.MessageStateOf(protoimpl.Pointer(x))
 		if ms.LoadMessageInfo() == nil {
@@ -161,7 +349,7 @@ func (x *GetCloudInstanceConfigArgs) ProtoReflect() protoreflect.Message {
 
 // Deprecated: Use GetCloudInstanceConfigArgs.ProtoReflect.Descriptor instead.
 func (*GetCloudInstanceConfigArgs) Descriptor() ([]byte, []int) {
-	return file_kurtosis_backend_server_api_proto_rawDescGZIP(), []int{2}
+	return file_kurtosis_backend_server_api_proto_rawDescGZIP(), []int{6}
 }
 
 func (x *GetCloudInstanceConfigArgs) GetApiKey() string {
@@ -192,7 +380,7 @@ type LaunchResult struct {
 func (x *LaunchResult) Reset() {
 	*x = LaunchResult{}
 	if protoimpl.UnsafeEnabled {
-		mi := &file_kurtosis_backend_server_api_proto_msgTypes[3]
+		mi := &file_kurtosis_backend_server_api_proto_msgTypes[7]
 		ms := protoimpl.X.MessageStateOf(protoimpl.Pointer(x))
 		ms.StoreMessageInfo(mi)
 	}
@@ -205,7 +393,7 @@ func (x *LaunchResult) String() string {
 func (*LaunchResult) ProtoMessage() {}
 
 func (x *LaunchResult) ProtoReflect() protoreflect.Message {
-	mi := &file_kurtosis_backend_server_api_proto_msgTypes[3]
+	mi := &file_kurtosis_backend_server_api_proto_msgTypes[7]
 	if protoimpl.UnsafeEnabled && x != nil {
 		ms := protoimpl.X.MessageStateOf(protoimpl.Pointer(x))
 		if ms.LoadMessageInfo() == nil {
@@ -218,7 +406,7 @@ func (x *LaunchResult) ProtoReflect() protoreflect.Message {
 
 // Deprecated: Use LaunchResult.ProtoReflect.Descriptor instead.
 func (*LaunchResult) Descriptor() ([]byte, []int) {
-	return file_kurtosis_backend_server_api_proto_rawDescGZIP(), []int{3}
+	return file_kurtosis_backend_server_api_proto_rawDescGZIP(), []int{7}
 }
 
 func (x *LaunchResult) GetInstanceName() string {
@@ -259,12 +447,14 @@ type GetCloudInstanceConfigResponse struct {
 	ContextConfig string        `protobuf:"bytes,3,opt,name=context_config,json=contextConfig,proto3" json:"context_config,omitempty"`
 	LaunchResult  *LaunchResult `protobuf:"bytes,4,opt,name=launch_result,json=launchResult,proto3" json:"launch_result,omitempty"`
 	Status        string        `protobuf:"bytes,5,opt,name=status,proto3" json:"status,omitempty"`
+	Created       string        `protobuf:"bytes,6,opt,name=created,proto3" json:"created,omitempty"`
+	Updated       string        `protobuf:"bytes,7,opt,name=updated,proto3" json:"updated,omitempty"`
 }
 
 func (x *GetCloudInstanceConfigResponse) Reset() {
 	*x = GetCloudInstanceConfigResponse{}
 	if protoimpl.UnsafeEnabled {
-		mi := &file_kurtosis_backend_server_api_proto_msgTypes[4]
+		mi := &file_kurtosis_backend_server_api_proto_msgTypes[8]
 		ms := protoimpl.X.MessageStateOf(protoimpl.Pointer(x))
 		ms.StoreMessageInfo(mi)
 	}
@@ -277,7 +467,7 @@ func (x *GetCloudInstanceConfigResponse) String() string {
 func (*GetCloudInstanceConfigResponse) ProtoMessage() {}
 
 func (x *GetCloudInstanceConfigResponse) ProtoReflect() protoreflect.Message {
-	mi := &file_kurtosis_backend_server_api_proto_msgTypes[4]
+	mi := &file_kurtosis_backend_server_api_proto_msgTypes[8]
 	if protoimpl.UnsafeEnabled && x != nil {
 		ms := protoimpl.X.MessageStateOf(protoimpl.Pointer(x))
 		if ms.LoadMessageInfo() == nil {
@@ -290,7 +480,7 @@ func (x *GetCloudInstanceConfigResponse) ProtoReflect() protoreflect.Message {
 
 // Deprecated: Use GetCloudInstanceConfigResponse.ProtoReflect.Descriptor instead.
 func (*GetCloudInstanceConfigResponse) Descriptor() ([]byte, []int) {
-	return file_kurtosis_backend_server_api_proto_rawDescGZIP(), []int{4}
+	return file_kurtosis_backend_server_api_proto_rawDescGZIP(), []int{8}
 }
 
 func (x *GetCloudInstanceConfigResponse) GetUserId() string {
@@ -328,6 +518,20 @@ func (x *GetCloudInstanceConfigResponse) GetStatus() string {
 	return ""
 }
 
+func (x *GetCloudInstanceConfigResponse) GetCreated() string {
+	if x != nil {
+		return x.Created
+	}
+	return ""
+}
+
+func (x *GetCloudInstanceConfigResponse) GetUpdated() string {
+	if x != nil {
+		return x.Updated
+	}
+	return ""
+}
+
 var File_kurtosis_backend_server_api_proto protoreflect.FileDescriptor
 
 var file_kurtosis_backend_server_api_proto_rawDesc = []byte{
@@ -336,45 +540,63 @@ var file_kurtosis_backend_server_api_proto_rawDesc = []byte{
 	0x6f, 0x74, 0x6f, 0x12, 0x0e, 0x6b, 0x75, 0x72, 0x74, 0x6f, 0x73, 0x69, 0x73, 0x5f, 0x63, 0x6c,
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@@ -395,14 +617,27 @@ var file_kurtosis_backend_server_api_proto_rawDesc = []byte{
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 }
 
 var (
@@ -417,25 +652,33 @@ func file_kurtosis_backend_server_api_proto_rawDescGZIP() []byte {
 	return file_kurtosis_backend_server_api_proto_rawDescData
 }
 
-var file_kurtosis_backend_server_api_proto_msgTypes = make([]protoimpl.MessageInfo, 5)
+var file_kurtosis_backend_server_api_proto_msgTypes = make([]protoimpl.MessageInfo, 9)
 var file_kurtosis_backend_server_api_proto_goTypes = []interface{}{
-	(*CreateCloudInstanceConfigArgs)(nil),     // 0: kurtosis_cloud.CreateCloudInstanceConfigArgs
-	(*CreateCloudInstanceConfigResponse)(nil), // 1: kurtosis_cloud.CreateCloudInstanceConfigResponse
-	(*GetCloudInstanceConfigArgs)(nil),        // 2: kurtosis_cloud.GetCloudInstanceConfigArgs
-	(*LaunchResult)(nil),                      // 3: kurtosis_cloud.LaunchResult
-	(*GetCloudInstanceConfigResponse)(nil),    // 4: kurtosis_cloud.GetCloudInstanceConfigResponse
-	(*emptypb.Empty)(nil),                     // 5: google.protobuf.Empty
+	(*GetOrCreateApiKeyRequest)(nil),          // 0: kurtosis_cloud.GetOrCreateApiKeyRequest
+	(*GetOrCreateApiKeyResponse)(nil),         // 1: kurtosis_cloud.GetOrCreateApiKeyResponse
+	(*GetOrCreateInstanceRequest)(nil),        // 2: kurtosis_cloud.GetOrCreateInstanceRequest
+	(*GetOrCreateInstanceResponse)(nil),       // 3: kurtosis_cloud.GetOrCreateInstanceResponse
+	(*CreateCloudInstanceConfigArgs)(nil),     // 4: kurtosis_cloud.CreateCloudInstanceConfigArgs
+	(*CreateCloudInstanceConfigResponse)(nil), // 5: kurtosis_cloud.CreateCloudInstanceConfigResponse
+	(*GetCloudInstanceConfigArgs)(nil),        // 6: kurtosis_cloud.GetCloudInstanceConfigArgs
+	(*LaunchResult)(nil),                      // 7: kurtosis_cloud.LaunchResult
+	(*GetCloudInstanceConfigResponse)(nil),    // 8: kurtosis_cloud.GetCloudInstanceConfigResponse
+	(*emptypb.Empty)(nil),                     // 9: google.protobuf.Empty
 }
 var file_kurtosis_backend_server_api_proto_depIdxs = []int32{
-	3, // 0: kurtosis_cloud.GetCloudInstanceConfigResponse.launch_result:type_name -> kurtosis_cloud.LaunchResult
-	5, // 1: kurtosis_cloud.KurtosisCloudBackendServer.IsAvailable:input_type -> google.protobuf.Empty
-	0, // 2: kurtosis_cloud.KurtosisCloudBackendServer.CreateCloudInstance:input_type -> kurtosis_cloud.CreateCloudInstanceConfigArgs
-	2, // 3: kurtosis_cloud.KurtosisCloudBackendServer.GetCloudInstanceConfig:input_type -> kurtosis_cloud.GetCloudInstanceConfigArgs
-	5, // 4: kurtosis_cloud.KurtosisCloudBackendServer.IsAvailable:output_type -> google.protobuf.Empty
-	1, // 5: kurtosis_cloud.KurtosisCloudBackendServer.CreateCloudInstance:output_type -> kurtosis_cloud.CreateCloudInstanceConfigResponse
-	4, // 6: kurtosis_cloud.KurtosisCloudBackendServer.GetCloudInstanceConfig:output_type -> kurtosis_cloud.GetCloudInstanceConfigResponse
-	4, // [4:7] is the sub-list for method output_type
-	1, // [1:4] is the sub-list for method input_type
+	7, // 0: kurtosis_cloud.GetCloudInstanceConfigResponse.launch_result:type_name -> kurtosis_cloud.LaunchResult
+	9, // 1: kurtosis_cloud.KurtosisCloudBackendServer.IsAvailable:input_type -> google.protobuf.Empty
+	4, // 2: kurtosis_cloud.KurtosisCloudBackendServer.CreateCloudInstance:input_type -> kurtosis_cloud.CreateCloudInstanceConfigArgs
+	6, // 3: kurtosis_cloud.KurtosisCloudBackendServer.GetCloudInstanceConfig:input_type -> kurtosis_cloud.GetCloudInstanceConfigArgs
+	0, // 4: kurtosis_cloud.KurtosisCloudBackendServer.GetOrCreateApiKey:input_type -> kurtosis_cloud.GetOrCreateApiKeyRequest
+	2, // 5: kurtosis_cloud.KurtosisCloudBackendServer.GetOrCreateInstance:input_type -> kurtosis_cloud.GetOrCreateInstanceRequest
+	9, // 6: kurtosis_cloud.KurtosisCloudBackendServer.IsAvailable:output_type -> google.protobuf.Empty
+	5, // 7: kurtosis_cloud.KurtosisCloudBackendServer.CreateCloudInstance:output_type -> kurtosis_cloud.CreateCloudInstanceConfigResponse
+	8, // 8: kurtosis_cloud.KurtosisCloudBackendServer.GetCloudInstanceConfig:output_type -> kurtosis_cloud.GetCloudInstanceConfigResponse
+	1, // 9: kurtosis_cloud.KurtosisCloudBackendServer.GetOrCreateApiKey:output_type -> kurtosis_cloud.GetOrCreateApiKeyResponse
+	3, // 10: kurtosis_cloud.KurtosisCloudBackendServer.GetOrCreateInstance:output_type -> kurtosis_cloud.GetOrCreateInstanceResponse
+	6, // [6:11] is the sub-list for method output_type
+	1, // [1:6] is the sub-list for method input_type
 	1, // [1:1] is the sub-list for extension type_name
 	1, // [1:1] is the sub-list for extension extendee
 	0, // [0:1] is the sub-list for field type_name
@@ -448,7 +691,7 @@ func file_kurtosis_backend_server_api_proto_init() {
 	}
 	if !protoimpl.UnsafeEnabled {
 		file_kurtosis_backend_server_api_proto_msgTypes[0].Exporter = func(v interface{}, i int) interface{} {
-			switch v := v.(*CreateCloudInstanceConfigArgs); i {
+			switch v := v.(*GetOrCreateApiKeyRequest); i {
 			case 0:
 				return &v.state
 			case 1:
@@ -460,7 +703,7 @@ func file_kurtosis_backend_server_api_proto_init() {
 			}
 		}
 		file_kurtosis_backend_server_api_proto_msgTypes[1].Exporter = func(v interface{}, i int) interface{} {
-			switch v := v.(*CreateCloudInstanceConfigResponse); i {
+			switch v := v.(*GetOrCreateApiKeyResponse); i {
 			case 0:
 				return &v.state
 			case 1:
@@ -472,7 +715,7 @@ func file_kurtosis_backend_server_api_proto_init() {
 			}
 		}
 		file_kurtosis_backend_server_api_proto_msgTypes[2].Exporter = func(v interface{}, i int) interface{} {
-			switch v := v.(*GetCloudInstanceConfigArgs); i {
+			switch v := v.(*GetOrCreateInstanceRequest); i {
 			case 0:
 				return &v.state
 			case 1:
@@ -484,7 +727,7 @@ func file_kurtosis_backend_server_api_proto_init() {
 			}
 		}
 		file_kurtosis_backend_server_api_proto_msgTypes[3].Exporter = func(v interface{}, i int) interface{} {
-			switch v := v.(*LaunchResult); i {
+			switch v := v.(*GetOrCreateInstanceResponse); i {
 			case 0:
 				return &v.state
 			case 1:
@@ -496,6 +739,54 @@ func file_kurtosis_backend_server_api_proto_init() {
 			}
 		}
 		file_kurtosis_backend_server_api_proto_msgTypes[4].Exporter = func(v interface{}, i int) interface{} {
+			switch v := v.(*CreateCloudInstanceConfigArgs); i {
+			case 0:
+				return &v.state
+			case 1:
+				return &v.sizeCache
+			case 2:
+				return &v.unknownFields
+			default:
+				return nil
+			}
+		}
+		file_kurtosis_backend_server_api_proto_msgTypes[5].Exporter = func(v interface{}, i int) interface{} {
+			switch v := v.(*CreateCloudInstanceConfigResponse); i {
+			case 0:
+				return &v.state
+			case 1:
+				return &v.sizeCache
+			case 2:
+				return &v.unknownFields
+			default:
+				return nil
+			}
+		}
+		file_kurtosis_backend_server_api_proto_msgTypes[6].Exporter = func(v interface{}, i int) interface{} {
+			switch v := v.(*GetCloudInstanceConfigArgs); i {
+			case 0:
+				return &v.state
+			case 1:
+				return &v.sizeCache
+			case 2:
+				return &v.unknownFields
+			default:
+				return nil
+			}
+		}
+		file_kurtosis_backend_server_api_proto_msgTypes[7].Exporter = func(v interface{}, i int) interface{} {
+			switch v := v.(*LaunchResult); i {
+			case 0:
+				return &v.state
+			case 1:
+				return &v.sizeCache
+			case 2:
+				return &v.unknownFields
+			default:
+				return nil
+			}
+		}
+		file_kurtosis_backend_server_api_proto_msgTypes[8].Exporter = func(v interface{}, i int) interface{} {
 			switch v := v.(*GetCloudInstanceConfigResponse); i {
 			case 0:
 				return &v.state
@@ -514,7 +805,7 @@ func file_kurtosis_backend_server_api_proto_init() {
 			GoPackagePath: reflect.TypeOf(x{}).PkgPath(),
 			RawDescriptor: file_kurtosis_backend_server_api_proto_rawDesc,
 			NumEnums:      0,
-			NumMessages:   5,
+			NumMessages:   9,
 			NumExtensions: 0,
 			NumServices:   1,
 		},
diff --git a/cloud/api/golang/kurtosis_backend_server_rpc_api_bindings/kurtosis_backend_server_api_grpc.pb.go b/cloud/api/golang/kurtosis_backend_server_rpc_api_bindings/kurtosis_backend_server_api_grpc.pb.go
index 6861beb202..9d40e86393 100644
--- a/cloud/api/golang/kurtosis_backend_server_rpc_api_bindings/kurtosis_backend_server_api_grpc.pb.go
+++ b/cloud/api/golang/kurtosis_backend_server_rpc_api_bindings/kurtosis_backend_server_api_grpc.pb.go
@@ -23,6 +23,8 @@ const (
 	KurtosisCloudBackendServer_IsAvailable_FullMethodName            = "/kurtosis_cloud.KurtosisCloudBackendServer/IsAvailable"
 	KurtosisCloudBackendServer_CreateCloudInstance_FullMethodName    = "/kurtosis_cloud.KurtosisCloudBackendServer/CreateCloudInstance"
 	KurtosisCloudBackendServer_GetCloudInstanceConfig_FullMethodName = "/kurtosis_cloud.KurtosisCloudBackendServer/GetCloudInstanceConfig"
+	KurtosisCloudBackendServer_GetOrCreateApiKey_FullMethodName      = "/kurtosis_cloud.KurtosisCloudBackendServer/GetOrCreateApiKey"
+	KurtosisCloudBackendServer_GetOrCreateInstance_FullMethodName    = "/kurtosis_cloud.KurtosisCloudBackendServer/GetOrCreateInstance"
 )
 
 // KurtosisCloudBackendServerClient is the client API for KurtosisCloudBackendServer service.
@@ -32,6 +34,8 @@ type KurtosisCloudBackendServerClient interface {
 	IsAvailable(ctx context.Context, in *emptypb.Empty, opts ...grpc.CallOption) (*emptypb.Empty, error)
 	CreateCloudInstance(ctx context.Context, in *CreateCloudInstanceConfigArgs, opts ...grpc.CallOption) (*CreateCloudInstanceConfigResponse, error)
 	GetCloudInstanceConfig(ctx context.Context, in *GetCloudInstanceConfigArgs, opts ...grpc.CallOption) (*GetCloudInstanceConfigResponse, error)
+	GetOrCreateApiKey(ctx context.Context, in *GetOrCreateApiKeyRequest, opts ...grpc.CallOption) (*GetOrCreateApiKeyResponse, error)
+	GetOrCreateInstance(ctx context.Context, in *GetOrCreateInstanceRequest, opts ...grpc.CallOption) (*GetOrCreateInstanceResponse, error)
 }
 
 type kurtosisCloudBackendServerClient struct {
@@ -69,6 +73,24 @@ func (c *kurtosisCloudBackendServerClient) GetCloudInstanceConfig(ctx context.Co
 	return out, nil
 }
 
+func (c *kurtosisCloudBackendServerClient) GetOrCreateApiKey(ctx context.Context, in *GetOrCreateApiKeyRequest, opts ...grpc.CallOption) (*GetOrCreateApiKeyResponse, error) {
+	out := new(GetOrCreateApiKeyResponse)
+	err := c.cc.Invoke(ctx, KurtosisCloudBackendServer_GetOrCreateApiKey_FullMethodName, in, out, opts...)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	return out, nil
+}
+
+func (c *kurtosisCloudBackendServerClient) GetOrCreateInstance(ctx context.Context, in *GetOrCreateInstanceRequest, opts ...grpc.CallOption) (*GetOrCreateInstanceResponse, error) {
+	out := new(GetOrCreateInstanceResponse)
+	err := c.cc.Invoke(ctx, KurtosisCloudBackendServer_GetOrCreateInstance_FullMethodName, in, out, opts...)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	return out, nil
+}
+
 // KurtosisCloudBackendServerServer is the server API for KurtosisCloudBackendServer service.
 // All implementations should embed UnimplementedKurtosisCloudBackendServerServer
 // for forward compatibility
@@ -76,6 +98,8 @@ type KurtosisCloudBackendServerServer interface {
 	IsAvailable(context.Context, *emptypb.Empty) (*emptypb.Empty, error)
 	CreateCloudInstance(context.Context, *CreateCloudInstanceConfigArgs) (*CreateCloudInstanceConfigResponse, error)
 	GetCloudInstanceConfig(context.Context, *GetCloudInstanceConfigArgs) (*GetCloudInstanceConfigResponse, error)
+	GetOrCreateApiKey(context.Context, *GetOrCreateApiKeyRequest) (*GetOrCreateApiKeyResponse, error)
+	GetOrCreateInstance(context.Context, *GetOrCreateInstanceRequest) (*GetOrCreateInstanceResponse, error)
 }
 
 // UnimplementedKurtosisCloudBackendServerServer should be embedded to have forward compatible implementations.
@@ -91,6 +115,12 @@ func (UnimplementedKurtosisCloudBackendServerServer) CreateCloudInstance(context
 func (UnimplementedKurtosisCloudBackendServerServer) GetCloudInstanceConfig(context.Context, *GetCloudInstanceConfigArgs) (*GetCloudInstanceConfigResponse, error) {
 	return nil, status.Errorf(codes.Unimplemented, "method GetCloudInstanceConfig not implemented")
 }
+func (UnimplementedKurtosisCloudBackendServerServer) GetOrCreateApiKey(context.Context, *GetOrCreateApiKeyRequest) (*GetOrCreateApiKeyResponse, error) {
+	return nil, status.Errorf(codes.Unimplemented, "method GetOrCreateApiKey not implemented")
+}
+func (UnimplementedKurtosisCloudBackendServerServer) GetOrCreateInstance(context.Context, *GetOrCreateInstanceRequest) (*GetOrCreateInstanceResponse, error) {
+	return nil, status.Errorf(codes.Unimplemented, "method GetOrCreateInstance not implemented")
+}
 
 // UnsafeKurtosisCloudBackendServerServer may be embedded to opt out of forward compatibility for this service.
 // Use of this interface is not recommended, as added methods to KurtosisCloudBackendServerServer will
@@ -157,6 +187,42 @@ func _KurtosisCloudBackendServer_GetCloudInstanceConfig_Handler(srv interface{},
 	return interceptor(ctx, in, info, handler)
 }
 
+func _KurtosisCloudBackendServer_GetOrCreateApiKey_Handler(srv interface{}, ctx context.Context, dec func(interface{}) error, interceptor grpc.UnaryServerInterceptor) (interface{}, error) {
+	in := new(GetOrCreateApiKeyRequest)
+	if err := dec(in); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	if interceptor == nil {
+		return srv.(KurtosisCloudBackendServerServer).GetOrCreateApiKey(ctx, in)
+	}
+	info := &grpc.UnaryServerInfo{
+		Server:     srv,
+		FullMethod: KurtosisCloudBackendServer_GetOrCreateApiKey_FullMethodName,
+	}
+	handler := func(ctx context.Context, req interface{}) (interface{}, error) {
+		return srv.(KurtosisCloudBackendServerServer).GetOrCreateApiKey(ctx, req.(*GetOrCreateApiKeyRequest))
+	}
+	return interceptor(ctx, in, info, handler)
+}
+
+func _KurtosisCloudBackendServer_GetOrCreateInstance_Handler(srv interface{}, ctx context.Context, dec func(interface{}) error, interceptor grpc.UnaryServerInterceptor) (interface{}, error) {
+	in := new(GetOrCreateInstanceRequest)
+	if err := dec(in); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	if interceptor == nil {
+		return srv.(KurtosisCloudBackendServerServer).GetOrCreateInstance(ctx, in)
+	}
+	info := &grpc.UnaryServerInfo{
+		Server:     srv,
+		FullMethod: KurtosisCloudBackendServer_GetOrCreateInstance_FullMethodName,
+	}
+	handler := func(ctx context.Context, req interface{}) (interface{}, error) {
+		return srv.(KurtosisCloudBackendServerServer).GetOrCreateInstance(ctx, req.(*GetOrCreateInstanceRequest))
+	}
+	return interceptor(ctx, in, info, handler)
+}
+
 // KurtosisCloudBackendServer_ServiceDesc is the grpc.ServiceDesc for KurtosisCloudBackendServer service.
 // It's only intended for direct use with grpc.RegisterService,
 // and not to be introspected or modified (even as a copy)
@@ -176,6 +242,14 @@ var KurtosisCloudBackendServer_ServiceDesc = grpc.ServiceDesc{
 			MethodName: "GetCloudInstanceConfig",
 			Handler:    _KurtosisCloudBackendServer_GetCloudInstanceConfig_Handler,
 		},
+		{
+			MethodName: "GetOrCreateApiKey",
+			Handler:    _KurtosisCloudBackendServer_GetOrCreateApiKey_Handler,
+		},
+		{
+			MethodName: "GetOrCreateInstance",
+			Handler:    _KurtosisCloudBackendServer_GetOrCreateInstance_Handler,
+		},
 	},
 	Streams:  []grpc.StreamDesc{},
 	Metadata: "kurtosis_backend_server_api.proto",
diff --git a/cloud/api/protobuf/kurtosis_backend_server_api.proto b/cloud/api/protobuf/kurtosis_backend_server_api.proto
index 78fe2a1e06..e6a55e9e86 100644
--- a/cloud/api/protobuf/kurtosis_backend_server_api.proto
+++ b/cloud/api/protobuf/kurtosis_backend_server_api.proto
@@ -10,6 +10,24 @@ service KurtosisCloudBackendServer {
   rpc IsAvailable (google.protobuf.Empty) returns (google.protobuf.Empty) {};
   rpc CreateCloudInstance(CreateCloudInstanceConfigArgs) returns (CreateCloudInstanceConfigResponse) {};
   rpc GetCloudInstanceConfig(GetCloudInstanceConfigArgs) returns (GetCloudInstanceConfigResponse) {};
+  rpc GetOrCreateApiKey(GetOrCreateApiKeyRequest) returns (GetOrCreateApiKeyResponse) {};
+  rpc GetOrCreateInstance(GetOrCreateInstanceRequest) returns (GetOrCreateInstanceResponse) {};
+}
+
+message GetOrCreateApiKeyRequest {
+  string access_token = 1;
+}
+
+message GetOrCreateApiKeyResponse {
+  string api_key = 1;
+}
+
+message GetOrCreateInstanceRequest {
+  string api_key = 1;
+}
+
+message GetOrCreateInstanceResponse {
+  string instance_id = 1;
 }
 
 message CreateCloudInstanceConfigArgs {
@@ -39,4 +57,6 @@ message GetCloudInstanceConfigResponse {
   string context_config = 3;
   LaunchResult launch_result = 4;
   string status = 5;
+  string created = 6;
+  string updated = 7;
 }