How to create an instance snapshot

How-to · Updated May 2026

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Organized in galleries with image definitions and versioned images (Microsoft.Compute/galleries/images/versions), more structured than flat Glance images.
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DigitalOcean image operations are through /v2/images in their API, not Glance (and images also include DigitalOcean-specific fields like kind values base/snapshot/backup/custom/admin).
DigitalOcean's "applications" images (1-Click Apps/Marketplace style) are a first-class image type, whereas OpenStack commonly treats such preconfigured stacks as separate concerns (OpenTofu modules, Heat templates, app catalogs) rather than an image 'type'.

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Includes system images (OS), user images (snapshots/backups).
API /v1/images; create via server action create_image (type=snapshot/backup).
Billed per GB/month; backups cost 20% of server price.
No direct image upload; custom via ISO attach or rebuild.

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How to create an instance snapshot

Create a point-in-time snapshot of a running instance. Snapshots are stored as images and can be used to launch new instances or create golden images for repeatable deployments.

Prerequisites

ConsoleLogged in to the Quake AI console
CLIOpenStack CLI installed and authenticated (clouds.yaml or openrc sourced)
APIAPI token generated with $OS_TOKEN and service endpoint variables set

Windows: CLI examples use bash. Set up a Linux CLI environment on Windows before proceeding.

Snapshots count against your project's storage quota. Ensure you have enough free storage; for example, a 10 GB volume instance requires approximately 10 GB of free quota.

Before you begin#

Some base images require updates before a snapshot can be created successfully. If you are using the shared Ubuntu 22.04 image, see Update Ubuntu 22.04 for snapshots before proceeding.

Create the snapshot#

Go to Compute > Instances to view your instances.
Find the instance you want to snapshot. On its row, open the Volumes icon dropdown and select Create Snapshot. This opens the Create Instance Snapshot dialog.
Enter a name for the snapshot.
Select OK to create the snapshot.
The new snapshot appears in Compute > Instance Snapshots.

Use a snapshot to create a golden image#

A golden image is a baseline image configured to your standards that you reuse to launch other instances.

Create a new instance from a base image.
Update and configure the instance as needed (packages, security hardening, application setup).
Create a snapshot using any method above. Use a descriptive name like golden-ubuntu2204-v1.

The snapshot is now available as an image source when creating new instances.

Create a new instance from a snapshot#

Go to Compute > Instance Snapshots.
Find the snapshot you want to use. The row exposes three per-row action icons: Instances, Volumes, and Settings.
Open the Instances icon dropdown on the snapshot's row and select Create Instance to launch a new instance from the snapshot.

Alternatively, when creating a new instance, select Instance Snapshot as the Start Source and choose your snapshot.

Verify the result#

Navigate to Compute > Instance Snapshots. The snapshot appears in the list with status Active.

Usage Guidelines

The sample code, software libraries, command line tools, proofs of concept, templates, and other related technology on this page (including any of the foregoing that is provided by Quake AI personnel) is provided to you as Quake AI Content under the Quake AI Customer Agreement, or the relevant written agreement between you and Quake AI (whichever applies). Do not use this Quake AI Content in your production accounts, or on production or other critical data. You are responsible for testing, securing, and optimizing the Quake AI Content (such as sample code) as appropriate for production grade use based on your specific quality control practices and standards. Deploying Quake AI Content may incur Quake AI charges for creating or using Quake AI chargeable resources, such as running Compute instances or storing data in Object Storage. Your use is also subject to the Acceptable Use Policy.

For the full policy, see Usage Guidelines.

Last validated: 25.05.2026

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How to create an instance snapshot

How to create an instance snapshot

Before you begin#

Create the snapshot#

Use a snapshot to create a golden image#

Create a new instance from a snapshot#

Verify the result#

See also#

Usage Guidelines

Quick answers

See Also