> Documentation index: https://docs.kiste.run/llms.txt, a list of every page in this documentation.

# Glossary

> The words Kiste uses, in one place.

| Term | Meaning |
| --- | --- |
| **Kiste** (plural **Kisten**) | A cloud machine (a Firecracker microVM) with its own kernel, memory and disk. *Instance* in the API; the console says *machine*. |
| **Current Kiste** | The Kiste the CLI uses when you give no name; see [Core concepts](https://docs.kiste.run/get-started/concepts.md#the-current-kiste). |
| **Shape** | A size preset: `default` (4 vCPU, 8 GiB, 80 GiB) or `large` (8 vCPU, 16 GiB, 160 GiB). |
| **Saved session** | A stopped Kiste's memory, written by `kiste stop --snapshot`, so the next start resumes it. |
| **Parked** | Stopped by the platform with its session saved (idle trial Kisten, an empty balance). Never deleted. |
| **Lifetime**, **TTL** | An automatic stop set with `--ttl`; `kiste extend` pushes it out. |
| **Checkpoint** | An automatic snapshot of a Kiste's disk, taken every five minutes when it changed, encrypted off-site. |
| **Snapshot** | A restore point of a Kiste's disk: a checkpoint, or a named snapshot you took. |
| **Fork** | A new, independent Kiste copied from a running one. |
| **Universal image** | The image every Kiste starts from: Ubuntu 24.04, GNOME and the whole toolchain. |
| **Image version** | A release of the image, such as `v2026.10.06-0959cbf8`; `kiste update` moves a Kiste onto the newest. |
| **Environment** | A versioned recipe for a new Kiste: repositories, variables, secret files, a setup script. |
| **Device key** | The SSH key of one computer you signed in on; every Kiste accepts all of yours. |
| **Desktop link** | A link that opens one Kiste's desktop in browsers signed in to your account. |
| **Kiste Stream** | Published ports at their own address under kiste.stream. |
| **API key** | A labelled, expiring credential (`ksta_…`) for scripts, CI and agents. |
| **Error code** | A short code such as `K01` that identifies an error everywhere; see [Errors](https://docs.kiste.run/errors.md). |
| **Request ID** | The ID of one request, shown with every error; quote it to support. |

## Related topics

- [Status](https://docs.kiste.run/resources/status.md)
- [Support](https://docs.kiste.run/resources/support.md)
- [Changelog](https://docs.kiste.run/resources/changelog.md)
- [Legal](https://docs.kiste.run/resources/legal.md)
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