Overview
The Instances page (cloud.vast.ai/instances) is your central hub for managing rented instances. From here you can:- View instance status and information
- Start, stop, and destroy instances
- Access connection details
- Monitor resource usage
- Transfer data between instances
Instance Card Interface

Instances Page
Main Status Button

Open button
- Open: Instance loaded, click to access via browser
- Connect: Instance loaded, click for SSH info
- Inactive: Stopped but data preserved (can restart if GPU available)
- Offline: Machine disconnected from Vast servers
- Scheduling: Attempting to restart (waiting for GPU availability)
- Creating: Vast initiating instance creation
- Loading: Downloading Docker image
- Connecting: Docker running but connection not verified
Instance Information

ID numbers
- Instance ID - Unique identifier for your instance
- Host/Datacenter ID - Provider identification
- Machine ID - Physical machine identifier

- GPU model and count
- CPU and RAM allocation
- Storage capacity
- Network configuration

- Instance age (time since creation)
- Expiry date (contract end time)
- Remaining duration
Instance Operations
Starting, Stopping, and Destroying

- Stop Button (square icon): Pauses instance, preserves data, continues storage charges
- Destroy Button (trash icon): Permanently deletes instance and all data
- Restart Button (play icon): Appears when stopped, attempts to reclaim GPU
Important: Stopped instances continue incurring storage charges. Destroy instances when no longer needed to avoid ongoing costs.
Restart Behavior

Play button
- Instance enters
SCHEDULING
status - Waits for GPU availability
- If stuck >30 seconds, GPU likely rented by another user
- Cancel scheduling by clicking stop again
- Consider creating new instance if GPU unavailable
Additional Controls

- Label Instance - Add custom name for identification
- Reboot Instance - Restart without data loss
- View Logs - Access Docker container logs
Data Management

Data movement
- Copy Data - Transfer between your instances (see Data Movement)
- Cloud Sync - Sync with cloud providers (see Cloud Sync)
Use Cloud Sync only on trusted datacenters (indicated by Secure icon).
Connection Quick Reference
For detailed connection instructions, see Connect to Instances:- SSH button - Shows SSH command
- Open button - Launches web UI
- IP/Ports button - Network information
Troubleshooting Instance States
Instance Stuck on “Loading”
- Normal for 30 seconds with cached images
- Can take hours with slow internet/large images
- Not charged during loading
- Try machines with faster internet
Instance Stuck on “Scheduling”
When stopped instances try to restart:- GPU may be reassigned to other users
- High-priority jobs block restart
- May wait indefinitely for GPU availability
- Consider copying data to new instance
Instance Stuck on “Connecting”
- Port configuration may be broken
- Report the machine
- Try different machine
Machine Shows “Offline”
- Lost connection to Vast servers
- Often internet/power issues
- Host notified automatically
- May be maintenance or unforeseen problems
Important Considerations
Data Persistence
- Stopped instances: Data preserved, storage charges continue
- Destroyed instances: All data permanently deleted
- Before destroying: Copy important data or sync to cloud
Contract Expiration
Expired instances may be deleted 48 hours after expiration. Expired instances cannot restart. Retrieve your data promptly.
Security
- Hosts can technically access files on their machines
- For sensitive data, use verified datacenters
- Implement encryption for critical data
IP Addresses
Some instances have dynamic IPs that may change. Check IP type via the IP button on instance card. For static IPs, filter by “Static IP Address” when searching.Common Questions
Can I run Docker inside my instance?
No, instances are already Docker containers. Docker-in-Docker is not supported.Do I pay for “Loading” instances?
No, you’re not charged while instances show “Loading” status.Can I view past instances?
No, destroyed instances cannot be viewed. Recent template history is preserved for configuration reference.Why is my machine location showing only ”, US”?
This means geolocation couldn’t determine the state. It’s not an indication of reliability.Can I run VMs or bare metal?
Currently only Docker containers are supported. VM and bare-metal options planned for future.Related Documentation
- Instance Types - On-demand vs Reserved vs Interruptible
- Storage Options - Managing disk space
- Connection Methods - SSH, Jupyter, and more
- Templates - Instance configuration