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A DigitalOcean MicroVM checkpoint is a copy of a MicroVM’s memory and disk. Use a checkpoint to skip repeated setup: create a checkpoint after a MicroVM loads its dependencies, then create new MicroVMs from that checkpoint, already warmed up. A MicroVM created from a checkpoint usually returns from the create request already running.

How Checkpoints Work

Creating a checkpoint does not change the MicroVM’s state. A running MicroVM stays running, and a paused MicroVM stays paused. The capture runs in the background, and the checkpoint is ready to use when its status is CHECKPOINT_AVAILABLE.

Checkpoints are independent of the MicroVM they come from. Deleting a MicroVM does not delete its checkpoints. They remain until you delete them.

Checkpoints stay in the region where you created them.

Settings a New MicroVM Inherits

A MicroVM created from a checkpoint inherits the following settings from the MicroVM the checkpoint came from:

• Region and size: A create request with a different region or size is rejected.
• Environment variables: A create request that sets environment is rejected.
• Container image: The new MicroVM runs the same image.
• HTTP port and protocol: These are inherited unless you set them in the create request.

The following settings are not inherited. Set them in the create request, or they use their defaults:

• Networking: Defaults to public.
• Auto-resume: Defaults to on.
• Idle timeout: Defaults to 5 minutes.
• Tags: Defaults to none.

Checkpoint Statuses

A checkpoint has one of the following statuses:

Checkpoint Storage Billing

Checkpoints are billed as storage at the same rate as MicroVM disk storage, based on the stored size of their memory and disk. There is no separate fee for creating a checkpoint. For rates, see MicroVMs Pricing.

For instructions, see How to Checkpoint a MicroVM.