> ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.instapods.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # FAQ > Frequently asked questions about InstaPods. ## General > **What is a pod?** > > A pod is a persistent Linux container running on InstaPods infrastructure. Think of it as a lightweight virtual server with its own filesystem, SSH access, and public URL. Unlike Docker containers, pods are persistent — all data survives restarts. > **How long does it take to create a pod?** > > Pods are created in 1–2 seconds using pre-built images. If the warm pool is enabled in your region, creation can be nearly instant. > **Can I run multiple apps in one pod?** > > Technically yes — a pod is a full Linux container, so you can run multiple processes. However, each pod is designed around a single preset (Static, PHP, Node.js, or Python). For multiple apps, we recommend separate pods. > **Are pods ephemeral like Docker containers?** > > No. Pods are persistent containers — all files, installed packages, and configurations survive stop/start cycles. Your data is preserved unless you explicitly delete the pod. > **What Linux distribution do pods use?** > > All pods run Ubuntu 24.04 LTS (Noble Numbat). > **How large a file can visitors upload to my app?** > > 512 MB per request. The proxy in front of every pod enforces that, so an upload larger than it is refused with a `413` before it ever reaches your app - your app's own limits apply on top. > > This is about requests to *your* app. Getting files into a pod through InstaPods is separate: the API accepts **100 MB per request**, so that's the ceiling for a single [`instapods files upload`](/ssh-and-files/file-management). [`files sync`](/cli/files) is not limited by it - it splits a directory into batches that fit and sends them in sequence. SSH and SFTP have no limit but your pod's disk. ## SSH & Access > **How do I connect to my pod via SSH?** > > Each pod has a dedicated SSH port. Find it on the pod detail page or run `instapods pods get my-app`. Then connect: > > ```bash theme={null} > ssh instapod@nbg1-1.instapods.app -p YOUR_PORT > ``` > > Or use the CLI shortcut: `instapods ssh my-app` > **Can I use my own SSH key?** > > Yes. Add your public key at pod creation (`--ssh-key` flag), via the dashboard SSH tab, or with the CLI: > > ```bash theme={null} > instapods ssh-keys add my-app > ``` > **What user do I connect as?** > > Always connect as the `instapod` user. This is the non-root user that owns your application files. ## Services & Databases > **Why can't I install services on the Launch plan?** > > Database services (MySQL, PostgreSQL, Redis) require additional memory and CPU. The Launch plan's resources (512 MB RAM, 1 vCPU) are too limited for reliable database operation. Upgrade to the Build plan or higher. > **Can I access my database from outside the pod?** > > No. Database services listen on `localhost` only and are not accessible from the internet. This is a security measure. To access your database remotely, use SSH port forwarding: > > ```bash theme={null} > ssh -L 3306:localhost:3306 instapod@host -p PORT > ``` > **How do I back up my database?** > > SSH into your pod and use the database's native dump tool: > > ```bash theme={null} > # MySQL > mysqldump -u instapod -p instapod > backup.sql > > # PostgreSQL > pg_dump -U instapod instapod > backup.sql > ``` > > Then download the dump file using SCP or the CLI. ## Billing > **Is there a free trial?** > > Yes, in one place. If you connect the [InstaPods connector](/mcp/overview) to an AI assistant and ask it to deploy your code before you've added a card, you can be granted a **free trial pod**: a real Launch pod on a live HTTPS URL, deleted automatically after 90 minutes unless you keep it. Adding a payment method claims it - the pod keeps its name, URL and files, and nothing is charged that day. One per person, and 1-Click Apps aren't included. See [Free Trial Pod](/mcp/trial). > > Everywhere else - the dashboard, the CLI, the API - a payment method is required before your first pod. > **What happens if my payment fails?** > > Your subscription enters a "past due" state with a 7-day grace period. During this time, existing pods keep running but you can't create new ones. After 7 days, pods are suspended. Pay the invoice to reactivate. > > Suspended pods are not kept indefinitely. At 28 days suspended you get a final notice naming the pods and the date, and 7 days after that they are deleted permanently. See the [full timeline](/dashboard/billing#if-it-stays-unpaid-the-pods-are-deleted). > **Can I change plans?** > > Yes, upgrade or downgrade anytime. Resource changes (CPU, memory, disk) take effect immediately. Billing is prorated — you're charged for the time spent on each plan. > **Do stopped pods cost money?** > > Currently, billing is per-plan (flat monthly rate), not per-usage. A stopped pod still counts toward your subscription. Delete the pod if you no longer need it. > **How do I cancel my subscription?** > > Go to **Billing** → Danger Zone → **Cancel subscription**. Only the team owner can cancel, because it ends billing for the whole team. > > Delete every pod on the team first — the dashboard lists any that are still in the way and links to them. Stopping a pod is not enough: a stopped pod is still charged at its full plan rate, and only deleting it ends the charge. > > Cancelling stops billing immediately and you are not invoiced for the part-month already used. Your account, team, invoice history and any remaining credits stay exactly as they are, so there is nothing to re-sign-up for — deploying a pod again starts a new subscription automatically. > **How do I close my account?** > > Delete it yourself from the account menu → **Account** → Danger Zone. It destroys every pod you own and cancels any subscription, permanently. Settle any unpaid invoice first. See [Account Settings](/dashboard/account-settings#deleting-your-account). ## Custom Domains > **How many custom domains can I add?** > > Up to 5 custom domains per pod. > **Do I get SSL for custom domains?** > > Yes. After DNS verification, an SSL certificate is automatically provisioned via Let's Encrypt. > **Can I use a root domain (not a subdomain)?** > > Yes, if your DNS provider supports CNAME flattening (most modern providers do, including Cloudflare). Otherwise, use a subdomain like `app.example.com`. 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