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

# Use persistent storage with instances

> How to attach and use persistent storage with instances and clusters

Attach persistent storage volumes to your instances to provide durable, shareable storage that persists beyond instance lifecycles.

# Step-by-Step Guide

<Steps>
  <Step title="Prerequisites">
    * An active persistent disk with `Active` status
    * Available instances in the same provider and location as your disk

    <Frame>
      <img src="https://mintcdn.com/primeintellect/u4gd9w_CirhPniY2/images/shared-disk/shared-disk-page-with-disk.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=u4gd9w_CirhPniY2&q=85&s=1a0c4cfdea8a557133eb5c5576f3037f" alt="Storage page" width="1600" height="1059" data-path="images/shared-disk/shared-disk-page-with-disk.png" />
    </Frame>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Filter clusters by your existing disks">
    Go to `Deploy GPU Instance` or `Multi-Node Cluster`. Use the `Filter by your existing disks` toggle to show only clusters in locations where you have persistent disks available.

    <Frame>
      <img src="https://mintcdn.com/primeintellect/VH4Zhq0MPOuc1_ND/images/filter-by-existing-disks.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=VH4Zhq0MPOuc1_ND&q=85&s=f581ad2b445e07c0a0543bca2774a569" alt="Filter by existing disks" width="1729" height="2160" data-path="images/filter-by-existing-disks.png" />
    </Frame>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select a compatible provider">
    Look for providers with the `Add Shared Filesystem` button, indicating disk compatibility.

    <Frame>
      <img src="https://mintcdn.com/primeintellect/u4gd9w_CirhPniY2/images/shared-disk/provider-with-disk.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=u4gd9w_CirhPniY2&q=85&s=fd935a45dd07945233164a33076949ab" alt="Instance with disk" width="1600" height="894" data-path="images/shared-disk/provider-with-disk.png" />
    </Frame>

    <Note>Persistent disks are location-specific. Ensure you're selecting instances in the same provider and datacenter as your disk.</Note>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select your existing disk and provision the instance">
    <Frame>
      <img src="https://mintcdn.com/primeintellect/u4gd9w_CirhPniY2/images/shared-disk/provision-instance-with-disk.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=u4gd9w_CirhPniY2&q=85&s=1cc7f4906d6efb7b2146885aa61e7d7e" alt="Provision with disk" width="1600" height="1176" data-path="images/shared-disk/provision-instance-with-disk.png" />
    </Frame>
  </Step>

  <Step title="After the instance deploys, check the instance details to find your shared disk's mounting path. The same disk can be attached to multiple instances simultaneously.">
    <Frame>
      <img src="https://mintcdn.com/primeintellect/u4gd9w_CirhPniY2/images/shared-disk/instances-with-shared-disks.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=u4gd9w_CirhPniY2&q=85&s=7eb6173b324776876b270f21deefcd48" alt="Instances with disks" width="1600" height="1059" data-path="images/shared-disk/instances-with-shared-disks.png" />
    </Frame>
  </Step>
</Steps>