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

# Rescue an Instance

> Boot an Xloud Compute instance from a rescue image to recover from OS boot failures, corrupted filesystems, or lost SSH access.

## Overview

Rescue mode boots an instance from a temporary rescue image while preserving the
original root disk as a secondary device. This allows you to diagnose and repair
boot failures, corrupted filesystems, or locked-out SSH configurations without
destroying the instance.

<Note>
  **Prerequisites**

  * An instance in `Active` or `Shutoff` status
  * The instance must not be locked
  * CLI access required — the Rescue action is not available in the Dashboard GUI
</Note>

<Warning>
  The **Rescue** and **Unrescue** actions are **CLI-only** operations. They are not
  available in the Xloud Dashboard. Use the CLI commands below to enter and exit
  rescue mode.
</Warning>

***

## Enter Rescue Mode

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="CLI" icon="terminal">
    <Steps titleSize="h3">
      <Step title="Authenticate">
        ```bash title="Load credentials" theme={null}
        source openrc.sh
        ```
      </Step>

      <Step title="Rescue the instance">
        ```bash title="Enter rescue mode (default rescue image)" theme={null}
        openstack server rescue <INSTANCE_ID>
        ```

        ```bash title="Rescue with a specific image" theme={null}
        openstack server rescue \
          --image <RESCUE_IMAGE_ID> \
          <INSTANCE_ID>
        ```

        The instance reboots into rescue mode. The original root disk is attached
        as a secondary device (typically `/dev/vdb`).
      </Step>

      <Step title="Connect and repair">
        SSH into the instance using the rescue image credentials. Mount the
        original root disk and perform repairs:

        ```bash title="Mount the original root disk" theme={null}
        sudo mount /dev/vdb1 /mnt
        ```

        ```bash title="Example: fix SSH config" theme={null}
        sudo vi /mnt/etc/ssh/sshd_config
        ```
      </Step>
    </Steps>
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

## Exit Rescue Mode

```bash title="Unrescue the instance" theme={null}
openstack server unrescue <INSTANCE_ID>
```

The instance reboots from its original root disk with the repairs applied.

<Check>Instance returns to `Active` status on its original root disk.</Check>

***

## Next Steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Instance Snapshots" href="/services/compute/snapshots" color="#197560">
    Create a snapshot before rescue as a safety measure
  </Card>

  <Card title="Reboot an Instance" href="/services/compute/reboot-instance" color="#197560">
    Try a reboot before rescue for less severe issues
  </Card>

  <Card title="Console Access" href="/services/compute/console-access" color="#197560">
    Use the VNC console for out-of-band diagnostics
  </Card>

  <Card title="Troubleshooting" href="/services/compute/troubleshooting" color="#197560">
    Resolve boot failures and rescue mode issues
  </Card>
</CardGroup>