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

# Terminate on DigitalOcean

> How to permanently destroy a Droplet running OpenClaw on DigitalOcean

This guide covers destroying a DigitalOcean Droplet. Destroying a Droplet permanently removes the server and its disk. Backups and snapshots are not deleted automatically — you'll need to remove those separately.

<Warning>
  Complete the [pre-termination checklist](/security/terminate-instance#pre-termination-checklist) before proceeding. Destroying a Droplet is irreversible.
</Warning>

***

## Option 1: DigitalOcean Control Panel

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Droplets">
    Sign in to the [DigitalOcean Control Panel](https://cloud.digitalocean.com/droplets) and click **Droplets** in the left sidebar.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open the Droplet">
    Click the name of the Droplet running OpenClaw. Confirm the correct Droplet by checking its IP address against what appeared on the watchboard.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Go to Destroy">
    In the left sidebar of the Droplet detail page, scroll to **Destroy**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Destroy the Droplet">
    Click **Destroy this Droplet**. Read the warning — this action cannot be undone. Type the Droplet name to confirm, then click **Destroy**.
  </Step>
</Steps>

**Official DigitalOcean documentation:** [How to Destroy a Droplet](https://docs.digitalocean.com/products/droplets/how-to/destroy/)

***

## Option 2: doctl CLI

If you have [doctl](https://docs.digitalocean.com/reference/doctl/how-to/install/) installed:

```bash theme={null}
# List Droplets to find the ID
doctl compute droplet list

# Destroy the Droplet (replace DROPLET_ID)
doctl compute droplet delete DROPLET_ID
```

You'll be prompted to confirm. To skip the prompt:

```bash theme={null}
doctl compute droplet delete DROPLET_ID --force
```

**Official doctl reference:** [doctl compute droplet delete](https://docs.digitalocean.com/reference/doctl/reference/compute/droplet/delete/)

***

## Option 3: DigitalOcean API

```bash theme={null}
curl -X DELETE \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $DIGITALOCEAN_TOKEN" \
  "https://api.digitalocean.com/v2/droplets/DROPLET_ID"
```

A successful request returns HTTP 204 with no body. See the [DigitalOcean API reference](https://docs.digitalocean.com/reference/api/api-reference/#operation/droplets_destroy) for details.

***

## Post-termination cleanup

### Delete backups and snapshots

DigitalOcean backups and snapshots are not deleted when the Droplet is destroyed. These continue to incur storage charges and contain your instance's data.

In the Control Panel, go to **Backups & Snapshots** under the Manage section, or use doctl:

```bash theme={null}
# List snapshots
doctl compute snapshot list

# Delete a snapshot
doctl compute snapshot delete SNAPSHOT_ID

# List backups (associated with Droplets)
doctl compute image list --type backup

# Delete a backup image
doctl compute image delete IMAGE_ID
```

### Release reserved IPs

If the Droplet had a reserved IP (formerly Floating IP) assigned, release it:

```bash theme={null}
# List reserved IPs
doctl compute reserved-ip list

# Release a reserved IP
doctl compute reserved-ip delete RESERVED_IP_ADDRESS
```

### Delete associated volumes

Block Storage volumes attached to the Droplet are not deleted automatically:

```bash theme={null}
# List volumes
doctl compute volume list

# Delete a volume
doctl compute volume delete VOLUME_ID
```

***

## Rotate credentials

After destruction, rotate everything the agent had access to. See the [post-termination checklist](/security/terminate-instance#post-termination-checklist) for the full list.