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

# Operations overview

> Start, update, back up, and safely remove an installed LStack instance.

The `lstack` CLI owns the installed-product lifecycle. Program files and private application data have separate locations so updates and default uninstall operations can preserve user data.

## Routine operations

<Columns cols={2}>
  <Card title="Check health" icon="activity" href="/operations/diagnostics">
    Inspect core health, configuration, database integrity, logs, and Docker availability.
  </Card>

  <Card title="CLI reference" icon="square-terminal" href="/cli/overview">
    Review the commands used to control an installed instance.
  </Card>
</Columns>

## Updates and rollback

`lstack update` downloads and verifies the requested version, backs up the database, switches versions atomically, and gates the new version on health. A failed health gate returns to the previous retained version.

```bash theme={null}
lstack update
lstack update --rollback
```

## Backups

Create a verified SQLite snapshot with:

```bash theme={null}
lstack backup
```

Backups do not modify project folders.

## Uninstall

Default uninstall removes program-owned installation files and preserves application data and projects:

```bash theme={null}
lstack uninstall
```

The `--purge-data` variant is destructive and requires explicit interactive confirmation. Project folders remain outside its deletion scope.