> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.langchain.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Set up LangSmith

This section covers how to host and manage LangSmith infrastructure. You can set up LangSmith for [observability](/langsmith/observability), [evaluation](/langsmith/evaluation), and [prompt engineering](/langsmith/prompt-engineering), or use the full platform experience with [LangSmith Deployment](/langsmith/deployment) to also deploy and manage your applications through the UI.

<Callout icon="building" color="#2563EB" iconType="regular">
  **Start here if you're setting up or maintaining LangSmith infrastructure.**

  If you want to deploy an agent application, the [Agent deployment section](/langsmith/deployment) covers application structure and deployment configuration.
</Callout>

## Choose how to set up LangSmith

You can deploy LangSmith in one of three modes:

* [**Cloud**](/langsmith/cloud): fully managed by LangChain
* [**Hybrid**](/langsmith/hybrid): LangChain manages the <Tooltip tip="The LangSmith UI and APIs for managing deployments.">control plane</Tooltip>; you host the <Tooltip tip="The runtime environment where your Agent Servers and agents execute.">data plane</Tooltip>
* [**Self-hosted**](/langsmith/self-hosted): you manage the full stack within your infrastructure

<Callout>
  Hybrid and self-hosted deployment options are available on Enterprise plan. [Get a demo](https://www.langchain.com/contact-sales) to learn more.
</Callout>

<Columns cols={3}>
  <Card title="Cloud" icon="cloud" iconType="solid" href="/langsmith/cloud" cta="Get started">
    Fully managed observability, evaluation, prompt engineering, and application deployment. Deploy from GitHub with automated CI/CD.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Hybrid" icon="cloud" href="/langsmith/hybrid" cta="Set up Hybrid">
    **(Enterprise)** Observability, evaluation, prompt engineering, and application deployment with your applications running in your infrastructure.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Self-hosted" icon="server" iconType="solid" href="/langsmith/self-hosted" cta="Run self-hosted">
    **(Enterprise)** Full control with observability, evaluation, and prompt engineering. Enable the full platform experience with LangSmith Deployment or run standalone servers.
  </Card>
</Columns>

### Comparison

Refer to the following table for a comparison:

| Feature                                          | **Cloud**                           | **Hybrid**                                                        | **Self-Hosted**                           |
| ------------------------------------------------ | ----------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------- |
| **Infrastructure location**                      | LangChain's cloud                   | Split: Control plane in LangChain cloud, data plane in your cloud | Your cloud                                |
| **Who manages updates**                          | LangChain                           | LangChain (control plane), You (data plane)                       | You                                       |
| **Who manages CI/CD for your apps**              | LangChain                           | You                                                               | You                                       |
| **Can deploy applications?**                     | ✅ Yes                               | ✅ Yes                                                             | ✅ Yes (with LangSmith Deployment enabled) |
| **Observability data location**                  | LangChain cloud                     | LangChain cloud                                                   | Your cloud                                |
| **[Pricing](https://www.langchain.com/pricing)** | Plus tier                           | Enterprise                                                        | Enterprise                                |
| **Best for**                                     | Quick setup, managed infrastructure | Data residency requirements + managed control plane               | Full control, data isolation              |

<Tip>
  You can [run an Agent Server locally for free](/langsmith/local-dev-testing) for testing and development.
</Tip>

### Related

* [Plans and Pricing](https://www.langchain.com/pricing)
* [Observability](/langsmith/observability)

***

<div className="source-links">
  <Callout icon="terminal-2">
    [Connect these docs](/use-these-docs) to Claude, VSCode, and more via MCP for real-time answers.
  </Callout>

  <Callout icon="edit">
    [Edit this page on GitHub](https://github.com/langchain-ai/docs/edit/main/src/langsmith/platform-setup.mdx) or [file an issue](https://github.com/langchain-ai/docs/issues/new/choose).
  </Callout>
</div>