Instant Pot Clam Chowder

Name: Instant Pot Clam Chowder
Ingredients: (3) 6.5 oz cans Chopped Clams* ((reserve the clam juice)); Water or a small bottle of clam juice. ((to add to clam juice)); 5 slices Bacon, (chopped); 3 Tbsp Butter; 1 Onion, (diced); 2 stalks Celery, (diced); 2 sprigs Fresh Thyme ((or 1/4 tsp dried)); 2 cloves Garlic, (pressed or finely minced); 1 1/4 tsp Kosher Salt ((3/4 tsp table salt) or to taste); 1/4 tsp Pepper; 1 1/2 lbs Potatoes, (4 cups diced (I use gold potatoes and don't peel them. If you use russets, you may want to peel them.)); 1/2 tsp Sugar ((optional)); 1 1/3 cups Half and Half; 1 1/2 Tbsp Potato or Corn Starch ((optional, for thickening)); Chopped Chives, (for garnish)