Disclosed embodiments provide cluster creation using self-joining cluster nodes. Each node within a cluster is assigned a role of master or non-master. A master node initializes and creates a cluster. A non-master, or “role” node initializes and joins a cluster established by the master. If the master has not yet initialized, the non-master node waits until the master node is operational and then joins the cluster. A description file associated with each node describes the services and configuration required for the node's assigned role. In this way, non-master nodes can be spawned independently of the master node, providing a greater level of scalability, improved fault tolerance, and increased availability.