> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://www.thundercompute.com/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Deleting Instances

> Delete instances using the Thunder Compute Console. Release hardware resources and stop billing for active cloud GPUs.

<Columns cols={3}>
  <Card title="VS Code" icon="window" href="/vscode/operations/deleting-instances" color="#95c5ea" className="platform-card">
    Editor extension
  </Card>

  <Card title="CLI" icon="terminal" href="/cli/operations/deleting-instances" color="#95c5ea" className="platform-card">
    Command line
  </Card>

  <Card title="Console" icon="browser" color="#95c5ea" className="platform-card platform-current">
    Web interface
  </Card>
</Columns>

## Delete an Instance

<Warning>
  Deleting an instance permanently removes it and all associated data. This action cannot be undone. Consider [creating a snapshot](/console/operations/snapshots) first to back up your environment.
</Warning>

1. Select your instance using the checkbox
2. Click **Delete** in the actions bar
3. Confirm the deletion

## Before Deleting

Before deleting an instance, make sure to:

1. **Download important files**: Use the CLI or VSCode extension to save any outputs, models, or data you need
2. **Create a snapshot**: If you want to restore your environment later, [create a snapshot](/console/operations/snapshots) first
3. **Push code to GitHub**: Commit and push any code changes to a remote repository

## Billing

Billing stops immediately when an instance is deleted. You are charged only for the time the instance was running.

Check your usage and billing details in the [console billing settings](https://console.thundercompute.com/settings/billing).