> ## 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 Google Cloud

> How to permanently delete a Compute Engine VM instance running OpenClaw on Google Cloud Platform

This guide covers deleting a Google Cloud Compute Engine VM instance. Deleting an instance permanently removes it. The boot disk is deleted by default if "Delete boot disk when instance is deleted" was checked (the default); additional persistent disks are not deleted automatically.

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

***

## Option 1: Google Cloud Console

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the VM instances list">
    Sign in to the [Google Cloud Console](https://console.cloud.google.com/compute/instances) and navigate to **Compute Engine → VM instances**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select your instance">
    Check the box next to the VM instance running OpenClaw. Confirm the correct instance by checking its External IP against what appeared on the watchboard.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Delete the instance">
    Click **Delete** in the top action bar, or click the three-dot menu next to the instance and choose **Delete**. Confirm in the dialog.

    The instance moves to a deleting state and disappears from the list when deletion is complete.
  </Step>
</Steps>

**Official Google Cloud documentation:** [Delete a VM instance](https://cloud.google.com/compute/docs/instances/deleting-instance)

***

## Option 2: gcloud CLI

If you have the [Google Cloud CLI](https://cloud.google.com/sdk/docs/install) installed:

```bash theme={null}
# List instances to find your instance name and zone
gcloud compute instances list

# Delete the instance (replace INSTANCE_NAME and ZONE)
gcloud compute instances delete INSTANCE_NAME --zone=ZONE
```

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

```bash theme={null}
gcloud compute instances delete INSTANCE_NAME --zone=ZONE --quiet
```

If you want to keep the boot disk (e.g., to preserve data before deletion), add `--keep-disks=boot`:

```bash theme={null}
gcloud compute instances delete INSTANCE_NAME --zone=ZONE --keep-disks=boot
```

***

## Post-termination cleanup

### Delete persistent disks

Any additional persistent disks attached to the instance are not deleted automatically. List and delete them:

```bash theme={null}
# List unattached disks
gcloud compute disks list --filter="users:( )"

# Delete a disk
gcloud compute disks delete DISK_NAME --zone=ZONE
```

### Delete snapshots

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

# Delete a snapshot
gcloud compute snapshots delete SNAPSHOT_NAME
```

### Release static external IP addresses

Static external IP addresses continue to incur charges if not released:

```bash theme={null}
# List static IPs
gcloud compute addresses list --filter="status:RESERVED"

# Release a static IP
gcloud compute addresses delete ADDRESS_NAME --region=REGION
```

### Remove firewall rules

If you created firewall rules specifically for this instance, remove them:

```bash theme={null}
# List firewall rules
gcloud compute firewall-rules list

# Delete a firewall rule
gcloud compute firewall-rules delete RULE_NAME
```

***

## Rotate credentials

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