Safe Delete and Grace Period Behaviors
Who this is for
Anyone performing a destructive operation (deleting a server, site, app, or cloud account) who wants to understand exactly what happens and whether it can be undone.
What you will complete
Understand what "delete" means for each resource type, whether a grace period applies, and what you must do before deleting to protect your data.
The deletion spectrum
Not all deletions in CloudAIPilot are the same. Some operations remove the resource from the dashboard only (without touching the underlying cloud resource), while others permanently delete cloud infrastructure.
| Resource | What "delete" removes | Reversible? | Grace period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Site | Site configuration and deployments from the dashboard | No (data is lost) | No |
| App | App configuration from the dashboard | No | No |
| Server (disconnect) | Removes from CloudAIPilot dashboard only — the cloud VM remains | Yes (re-import) | No |
| Server (delete) | Removes from dashboard AND terminates the cloud VM | No — cloud VM is destroyed | Depends on provider |
| Cloud account | Disconnects the cloud provider from CloudAIPilot | Yes (reconnect) | No |
| Backup file | Deletes the backup file from storage | No | No |
| Organization | Deletes the entire organization and all resources | No | No |
Server disconnect vs. server delete
This is the most important distinction:
Disconnect: Removes the server from your CloudAIPilot dashboard but leaves the virtual machine running in your cloud provider account. You can re-import it later. Use disconnect when you want to stop managing a server through CloudAIPilot without destroying it.
Delete: Terminates the virtual machine in your cloud provider account. This destroys the server and all data on it. This action cannot be undone.
How to tell which you are doing: When you initiate the removal of a server, CloudAIPilot clearly states whether it will disconnect or delete the VM in the confirmation dialog. Read the confirmation text carefully before proceeding.
Pre-deletion checklist for servers
Before deleting a server (terminating the VM):
- Back up all critical data — take an on-demand backup or verify a recent backup exists.
- Move all sites and apps — verify no active sites or apps are still running on this server, or migrate them first.
- Export any local data — download any files from the file manager that you need to keep.
- Cancel active backups or restores — check the Activity Center for any in-progress backup operations.
- Note the server's IP and configuration — once deleted, the IP is released back to the cloud provider and cannot be recovered.
Pre-deletion checklist for cloud accounts
Before removing a cloud account:
- Verify no servers are connected to this account — check the Servers page. Servers from this account must be deleted or disconnected first.
- Verify no backup schedules point to this account — check Backup schedules for references to this cloud account's storage.
- Note the account name and ID — for your records.
The AI Pilot deletion confirmation requirement
When AI Pilot proposes a destructive action (deletion of any resource), the approval card requires you to type the name of the target resource before the Allow button activates. This is an additional safety mechanism to ensure you are deleting the correct resource.
What success looks like
- After disconnect: the server no longer appears in your CloudAIPilot dashboard. The VM still runs in your cloud provider console.
- After delete: the server no longer appears in CloudAIPilot and is terminated in your cloud provider console (verify in the provider's console within 5 minutes).