Xano - What is an Instance?

Hey there! Welcome to Xano. In this guide, we'll dive into the concepts of instances and workspaces, which are essential components of the Xano platform. Let's get started!

What is an Instance?

An instance is the server that hosts the backend you're building in Xano for your app, website, or project. Think of it as a dedicated computer with allocated resources to power your backend. It's where the magic happens!

What is a Workspace?

A workspace is a virtual container within an instance where your project resides. It's like a separate room dedicated to a specific project you're working on. You can think of your workspace as being synonymous with your project itself.

Instance and Workspace Architecture

Shared Instance (Explorer and Starter Plans)

If you're on the Xano Explorer or Starter plan, you'll start with one workspace on a shared instance. This means that your workspace will share the server resources with other users on the same plan.

Single-Tenant Instance (Prototype Plan and Higher)

One of the key advantages of Xano is that once you upgrade to the Prototype plan or higher, you move to a single-tenant architecture. This means you get your own dedicated instance with its own resources, providing better performance and scalability for your workspaces.

Managing Instances and Workspaces

To access your instances and workspaces, follow these steps:

1. Navigate to the Instance page in your Xano dashboard.
2. Here, you'll see a list of your instances. If you have only one instance, it will be displayed at the top.
3. Click on your instance to access your workspaces.
4. If you haven't created a workspace yet, you'll be prompted to create one through the Jumpstart process.
5. If you already have a workspace, you'll be taken directly to the Xano dashboard for that workspace.

From the Instance page, you can also add new instances (if your plan allows), edit instance settings, and manage team member seats.

That's it! With this understanding of instances and workspaces, you're ready to start building your backend applications on Xano. If you have any questions or need further assistance, feel free to reach out to our support team.

Happy building!