Deploy the flagship to a free tier; record URL + cost. Every step has a GCP mirror — learn AWS first, note GCP second.
1. AWS path (default)
Container: ECR image -> App Runner or ECS Fargate (free-tier-shaped). Env via
parameter store; /health wired to the target-group check. Record: public URL,
region, monthly free-tier headroom, first-bill screenshot (expect $0).
2. GCP parity path
Artifact Registry image -> Cloud Run service (min-instances 0, concurrency set per m4 reading). Secrets via Secret Manager. Record the same four fields.
3. Cost discipline
Free-tier alarms before deploy, not after. Any spend needs the written sign-off pattern from the RAG cost dashboard — same rule, new cloud.