[Table of contents](README.md#table-of-contents)

# Instances

A single cozy-stack can manage several instances. Requests to different
instances are identified through the `Host` HTTP Header, any reverse proxy
placed in front of the cozy-stack should forward this header.

## Creation

An instance is created on the command line:

```sh
$ cozy-stack instances add <domain> [flags]
```

The flags are documented in the
[`instances add manpage`](cli/cozy-stack_instances_add.md).

It registers the instance in a global couchdb database `global/instances`
and creates the proper databases ($PREFIX/$DOCTYPE) for these doctypes:

-   `io.cozy.apps`
-   `io.cozy.contacts`
-   `io.cozy.files`
-   `io.cozy.jobs`
-   `io.cozy.konnectors`
-   `io.cozy.notifications`
-   `io.cozy.oauth.clients`
-   `io.cozy.permissions`
-   `io.cozy.sessions.logins`
-   `io.cozy.settings`
-   `io.cozy.shared`
-   `io.cozy.sharings`
-   `io.cozy.triggers`

Then, it creates some indexes for these doctypes, and some directories:

-   `/`, with the id `io.cozy.files.root-dir`
-   the trash, with the id `io.cozy.files.trash-dir`
-   `/Administrative`
-   `/Photos`
-   `/Photos/Uploaded from Cozy Photos`
-   `/Photos/Backed up from my mobile`

**The names are localized:** If a locale is provided through the CLI, the
directories will be created with names in this locale.

Then it creates the basic settings with the options from the CLI.

Finally, applications from the `--apps` CLI option are installed.

## Onboarding

At the end of the instance creation, the CLI returns a token, called
`registerToken`. The `registerToken` can be used to send a link to the user,
where they will be able to choose their password. After that, the instance
is said to be onboarded, and the user can use it normally.

## Listing

To get the list of all the instances that can be served by this server :

```sh
$ cozy-stack instances ls [flags]
```
Flags are optional, [more info on ls](cli/cozy-stack_instances_ls.md).

## Destroying

An instance is destroyed through the command line. A confirmation is asked from
the CLI user unless the --force flag is passed:

```sh
$ cozy-stack instances destroy <domain>
```

When the deletion of an instance starts, the stack puts a flag `deleting` on
the instance. This flag avoids that someone can try again to destroy the
instance while the stack is doing cleaning before the real deletion (like
deleting accounts). It's possible to remove manually the flag via the command
`cozy-stack instance modify --deleting=false <domain>` to force a deletion that
has failed.

## Blocking

If you manage several instances on your stack, you can block some instances.
When an instance is blocked (for whatever reason), the user cannot use his Cozy
anymore and has to wait to be unblocked.

```sh
$ cozy-stack instances modify <domain> --blocked
```

A `--blocking-reason` can be added for specific cases and to inform a user the
reason of the blocking.

Several pre-included reasons are included, but you can define your owns if needed. These reasons are:

- `"LOGIN_FAILED"`: The instance was blocked because of too many login attempts
- `"PAYMENT_FAILED"`: The instance waits for a payment to be done
- `"UNKNOWN"`: The instance was blocked for an unknown reason

## Modifying

If you want to edit an instance, see [`instances modify manpage`](cli/cozy-stack_instances_modify.md).