---
title: DigitalOcean MicroVMs Concepts (public)
description: Explanations of the MicroVM lifecycle, checkpoints, networking, and access.
product: Microvms
url: https://docs.digitalocean.com/products/microvms/concepts/
last_updated: "2026-10-09"
---

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# DigitalOcean MicroVMs Concepts (public)

DigitalOcean MicroVMs are lightweight virtual machines that run a container image in an isolated kernel, pause automatically when idle, and resume on the next request with memory, files, and processes intact.

[MicroVM Lifecycle](https://docs.digitalocean.com/products/microvms/concepts/lifecycle/index.html.md): MicroVM states, automatic pause and resume, and how each state affects billing.

[MicroVM Checkpoints](https://docs.digitalocean.com/products/microvms/concepts/checkpoints/index.html.md): Checkpoints capture a MicroVM’s memory and disk so you can create new MicroVMs that start from that state.

[MicroVM Networking and Access](https://docs.digitalocean.com/products/microvms/concepts/networking-access/index.html.md): MicroVM HTTPS endpoints, ports, public and VPC networking, and the API token scopes MicroVMs use.