---
name: "apptainer-instance-stop"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "apptainer"
version: "1.5.4-1"
release: "Arch Linux 2026-11-01"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/apptainer-instance-stop"
---

# apptainer-instance-stop(1)

Stop a named instance of a given container image

## NAME

apptainer-instance-stop - Stop a named instance of a given container image

## SYNOPSIS

**apptainer instance stop \[stop options...\] \[instance\]**

## DESCRIPTION

The command apptainer instance stop allows you to stop and clean up a named,\
   running instance of a given container image.

## OPTIONS

**-a**, **--all**\[=false\]\
 	stop all user's instances

**-F**, **--force**\[=false\]\
 	force kill instance

**-h**, **--help**\[=false\]\
 	help for stop

**-s**, **--signal**=""\
 	signal sent to the instance

**-t**, **--timeout**=10\
 	force kill non stopped instances after X seconds

**-u**, **--user**=""\
 	if running as root, stop instances belonging to user

## EXAMPLE

```
  $ apptainer instance start my-sql.sif mysql1
  $ apptainer instance start my-sql.sif mysql2
  $ apptainer instance stop mysql*
  Stopping mysql1 instance of my-sql.sif (PID=23845)
  Stopping mysql2 instance of my-sql.sif (PID=23858)
  $ apptainer instance start my-sql.sif mysql1
  Force instance to shutdown
  $ apptainer instance stop -f mysql1 (may corrupt data)
  Send SIGTERM to the instance
  $ apptainer instance stop -s SIGTERM mysql1
  $ apptainer instance stop -s TERM mysql1
  $ apptainer instance stop -s 15 mysql1
```

## SEE ALSO

**[apptainer-instance(1)](/apptainer-instance/1.md)**

## HISTORY

22-Sep-2026 Auto generated by spf13/cobra