> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.nuvolos.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.nuvolos.com/administration/instance-management.md).

# Instance management

## Create a new instance

{% hint style="info" %}
**Important notes:** 

* Only space administrators can create new Instances. 
* Instances support two permission types: Instance Editor and Instance Viewer. Make sure the correct role is granted at creation. Learn more about [instance-level roles](/concepts/roles-secrets-and-identity/roles.md#instance-level-roles).
  {% endhint %}

**To create an instance:**

1. Navigate to the space where you want to create the instance.
2. On the sidebar click the cogwheel icon (**Manage space**).
3. Click **Project Users / Instances**.
4. Click **+ ADD NEW INSTANCE**.
5. Choose whether to start from a snapshot or create an empty instance.
6. Fill in the instance name and description. Both can be modified later.

### **Create a shared Instance and invite collaborators**

1. Open your space (course or research project).
2. On the sidebar click the cogwheel icon (**Manage space**).
3. Click **Project Users / Instances**, then **+ INVITE**.
4. On the **Option 1 - User Invitation** screen, click **+ ADD NEW INSTANCE**.
5. Choose between creating an empty instance or one with snapshot contents, then click **CONTINUE**.
6. Enter a name and description for your instance, then click **+ ADD NEW INSTANCE**.
7. Choose the role to invite users with - collaboration generally requires the **Editor** role.

    Learn more about [instance-level roles](/concepts/roles-secrets-and-identity/roles.md#instance-level-roles).
8. Enter the email addresses and click **+ INVITE**.

## Edit an instance

{% hint style="info" %}
**Important notes:**

* Instance Editors and space administrators can edit instance names and descriptions.
* Master and Distributed instances cannot be changed - the names and descriptions are both fixed for these.
* Both name and description fields have a maximum length of 1023 characters.
  {% endhint %}

**To edit an instance:**

1. Navigate to the space where you want to edit the instance.
2. On the sidebar, click the cogwheel icon and select **Project Users / Instances**.
3. Open the **INSTANCES** tab.
4. Locate the Instance in the list and click the pencil icon.
5. Edit the name and description. The Instance name must be unique within the Space.
6. When done, click **SAVE CHANGES**.

The changes will take effect immediately, and the instance list will refresh to show the updated information.

## Delete an instance

{% hint style="info" %}
**Important notes:**

* Only space administrators can delete instances.
* The Master and Distributed Instances can't be deleted - remove the entire Space if you need to clear them.
  {% endhint %}

To delete an instance:

1. Navigate to the space where you want to delete the instance.
2. On the sidebar, click the Cogwheel icon (**Manage space**) and select **Project Users / Instances**.
3. Open the **INSTANCES** tab.
4. Locate the Instance in the list and click the pencil icon.
5. Click the Trash can icon on the instance list.
6. Read the warning, tick **I understand**, and click **DELETE**.

## Invite users to an existing instance

To invite users to an existing instance:

1. Navigate to the space containing the instance.
2. On the sidebar click the Cogwheel icon and select **Project Users / Instances**.
3. Go to the **Instances** tab, find your instance, and click **+ INVITE USERS**.
4. Select **Option 1 - User Invitation,** then **Invite to an existing shared instance**.
5. Choose whether to invite Instance Editors or Instance Viewers.
6. Enter the email addresses and click **+ INVITE**.

**Where to go next**

* To set up snapshots, distribute content, or recover an Instance from a previous state, see [How-to › Shared workflows › Snapshots](/how-to-guides/common-workflows/snapshots.md) and [How-to › Shared workflows › Distribution mechanic](/how-to-guides/common-workflows/object-distribution.md).
* To monitor how Instances consume storage within a Space, see [Administration › Resource monitoring](/administration/monitoring-resource-usage.md).
* If you want to understand the difference between current states and snapshot states, and why Instances are versioned the way they are, see [Concepts › Snapshots, distribution, and states](/concepts/distribution.md).