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

# Set up automatic snapshot creation

Snapshot Schedules automate snapshot creation for selected volumes on a recurring basis. When the **Max resource count** limit is reached, the system deletes the oldest snapshot in the schedule before creating a new one, while snapshots created outside the schedule are not affected.

## Create a snapshot schedule

At least one [volume](/cloud/virtual-instances/volumes/create-and-configure-volumes) must exist in the target region before creating a schedule.

1. In the [Gcore Customer Portal](https://portal.gcore.com), navigate to **Cloud** > **Storage** > **Snapshot Schedules**.

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/gcore/X-1DOC5Bv7y3aZ-x/images/docs/cloud/virtual-instances/snapshots/set-up-automatic-snapshot-creation/set-up-automatic-snapshot-creation-image1.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=X-1DOC5Bv7y3aZ-x&q=85&s=f40f1eb74bfe4544522e5aebc652e28a" alt="Snapshot Schedules page with Create Snapshot Schedule button" width="1024" height="490" data-path="images/docs/cloud/virtual-instances/snapshots/set-up-automatic-snapshot-creation/set-up-automatic-snapshot-creation-image1.png" />
</Frame>

2. Click **Create Snapshot Schedule** in the page header.

3. On the **Create Snapshot Schedule** page, enter a **Schedule name**.

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/gcore/X-1DOC5Bv7y3aZ-x/images/docs/cloud/virtual-instances/snapshots/set-up-automatic-snapshot-creation/set-up-automatic-snapshot-creation-image2.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=X-1DOC5Bv7y3aZ-x&q=85&s=5ab80bbd9175fc20cf41a9ec2c6a629f" alt="Create Snapshot Schedule form with schedule name, type, and volume fields" width="1536" height="730" data-path="images/docs/cloud/virtual-instances/snapshots/set-up-automatic-snapshot-creation/set-up-automatic-snapshot-creation-image2.png" />
</Frame>

4. In the **Volumes** section, open the **Select Volumes** dropdown and select one or more volumes. Both boot and regular volumes can be included.

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/gcore/X-1DOC5Bv7y3aZ-x/images/docs/cloud/virtual-instances/snapshots/set-up-automatic-snapshot-creation/set-up-automatic-snapshot-creation-image4.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=X-1DOC5Bv7y3aZ-x&q=85&s=652b992087f3d23828421e52aed6f645" alt="Select Volumes dropdown with boot and regular volumes listed" width="1536" height="730" data-path="images/docs/cloud/virtual-instances/snapshots/set-up-automatic-snapshot-creation/set-up-automatic-snapshot-creation-image4.png" />
</Frame>

5. Select a **Schedule Type** and configure the timing fields that appear below it.

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/gcore/X-1DOC5Bv7y3aZ-x/images/docs/cloud/virtual-instances/snapshots/set-up-automatic-snapshot-creation/set-up-automatic-snapshot-creation-image3.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=X-1DOC5Bv7y3aZ-x&q=85&s=3ae0c361f99c78e324fb1a2ab5498b50" alt="Schedule Type dropdown showing Daily, Weekly, Monthly, Yearly, and Period options" width="1536" height="730" data-path="images/docs/cloud/virtual-instances/snapshots/set-up-automatic-snapshot-creation/set-up-automatic-snapshot-creation-image3.png" />
</Frame>

**Daily** — set one or more times of day using the **Time** field. Click **Add time** to add additional run times.

**Weekly** — select **Week Day** values and a **Time**. Multiple time rows can be added with **Add time**.

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/gcore/X-1DOC5Bv7y3aZ-x/images/docs/cloud/virtual-instances/snapshots/set-up-automatic-snapshot-creation/set-up-automatic-snapshot-creation-image5.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=X-1DOC5Bv7y3aZ-x&q=85&s=c040864af7e9a078be14332fcc20f37d" alt="Weekly schedule fields with week day selector and time field" width="1536" height="730" data-path="images/docs/cloud/virtual-instances/snapshots/set-up-automatic-snapshot-creation/set-up-automatic-snapshot-creation-image5.png" />
</Frame>

**Monthly** and **Yearly** — select the calendar values shown in the form and set a **Time**.

**Period** — in **Repeat every**, enter an interval and select the unit (for example, 7 **Days** for a weekly interval). The minimum interval is 1 hour.

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/gcore/X-1DOC5Bv7y3aZ-x/images/docs/cloud/virtual-instances/snapshots/set-up-automatic-snapshot-creation/set-up-automatic-snapshot-creation-image6.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=X-1DOC5Bv7y3aZ-x&q=85&s=52e169ef07baf0282501c7312c929f51" alt="Period schedule fields with repeat every interval and unit selector" width="1536" height="730" data-path="images/docs/cloud/virtual-instances/snapshots/set-up-automatic-snapshot-creation/set-up-automatic-snapshot-creation-image6.png" />
</Frame>

6. Set **Max resource count** — the maximum number of snapshots the schedule keeps at one time. When the limit is reached, the oldest snapshot in the schedule is deleted before a new one is created.

7. Set **Retention (optional)** — the number of days after which a snapshot is deleted. Even if retention has not expired, an older snapshot may still be removed when **Max resource count** is reached.

8. Review the **Estimated cost** panel after volumes are selected, then click **Create Schedule**.

The schedule appears on the **Snapshot Schedules** page and starts running when created.

<Info>
  Snapshot storage counts toward project quotas. If creation fails with a quota error, reduce existing snapshots or [Request](/cloud/getting-started/request-a-quota-increase).
</Info>

## Disable and enable a schedule

1. In the Customer Portal, navigate to **Cloud** > **Storage** > **Snapshot Schedules**.

2. Click the schedule name to open its settings.

3. Use the enable/disable control at the top of the page to pause or resume the schedule, then save the changes.

When enabled, the schedule status is **Active**.

## Delete a schedule

1. In the Customer Portal, navigate to **Cloud** > **Storage** > **Snapshot Schedules**.

2. Click the three-dot icon at the end of the schedule row.

3. Select **Delete** from the menu and confirm the action.

Deleting a schedule does not delete snapshots that were already created.
