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

# Managing Container Apps

> Environment variables, Docker image versions, logs, rebuilds, custom domains, and lifecycle controls for container-based deployments

## Container App Management

Container Apps are managed entirely through the RepoCloud dashboard. Click **Manage** on any container instance in your Projects tab to access its management page.

## Management Features

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Status & Usage" icon="chart-simple">
    See the instance status and, on autoscaling instances, click **View Usage Chart** to see which resource tier your app used hour by hour
  </Card>

  <Card title="Environment Variables" icon="gear">
    Click **Edit Env Vars** to add, edit, or remove configuration variables. Saving restarts the application (3–7 minutes).
  </Card>

  <Card title="Rebuild / Update" icon="arrows-rotate">
    Pull the latest stable Docker image and recreate the container. Your persistent data is preserved.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Edit Docker Image" icon="tag">
    Pin a specific image version tag for your application. Use this to roll back to a previous version.
  </Card>

  <Card title="View Logs" icon="file-lines">
    Inspect application output for debugging. Click **Refresh Logs** to pull the latest entries.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Custom Domain" icon="globe">
    Add your own domain via CNAME record with automatic SSL certificate issuance. See [Custom Domains](/manage/custom-domains).
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Environment Variables

Environment variables let you configure your application without modifying code:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Edit Env Vars">
    Click **Edit Env Vars** on the manage page. You see a list of all configured variables (values are masked).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Make Changes">
    * **Add**: click **+ Add New Variable** and enter a key and value
    * **Edit**: change the key or value directly in any row
    * **Delete**: click the trash icon next to the variable
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save">
    Click **Save Changes** and confirm. Your application restarts with the new configuration (3–7 minutes).
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Rebuilding and Updating

The **Rebuild / Update** button recreates your application from scratch:

1. Pulls the latest stable Docker image
2. Preserves your persistent data (databases, uploaded files, volumes)
3. Preserves your environment variables and custom domain
4. Restarts the application (3–7 minutes)

To pin a specific version instead of using the latest, click **Edit Docker Image** and enter the version tag.

<Tip>
  Use **Edit Docker Image** to roll back if a new release causes problems: enter the previous version's tag and save. Database schema migrations applied by the newer version are not automatically reversed.
</Tip>

## Scaling

* **Autoscaling instances**: resources adjust automatically. Click **View Usage Chart** to see tier usage hour by hour.
* **Fixed-size instances**: change the tier from the manage page, or switch to autoscaling. Switching to autoscaling is one-directional — you cannot switch back to a fixed size.

## Pausing and Deleting

* **Pause Server**: temporarily halts the application. Billing continues at 25% of the normal rate because resources remain allocated. Resume at any time.
* **Delete Server**: permanently removes the instance and all data. Billing stops immediately. This cannot be undone.

<Warning>
  Deleting an instance is permanent. Back up any important data through your application's built-in export features before deleting.
</Warning>

## Rename Project

Change your project's display name from the manage page. This updates the name shown in the dashboard but does not affect your application's URL or configuration.

## Next Steps

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Custom Domains" icon="globe" href="/manage/custom-domains">
    Add your own domain to your container app
  </Card>

  <Card title="Billing" icon="credit-card" href="/manage/billing">
    Understand how billing works with autoscaling and paused instances
  </Card>

  <Card title="Troubleshooting" icon="wrench" href="/resources/troubleshooting">
    Resolve common issues with your applications
  </Card>
</CardGroup>