A template is a guest that serves only as a blueprint. Instead of installing every new server from scratch, you prepare one guest the way you like it, convert it to a template, and clone new guests from it, including fast linked clones. Converting is part of Aprox Pro.

Where to find it

  • Sidebar › guest › Summary › Actions › Template.
  • Or long-press the guest in the sidebar (right-click on a Mac) › Convert to Template….

The guest must be stopped. On the free plan the button carries a lock (menus show "(Pro)"), and tapping it opens an overview of Aprox Pro.

Convert a guest

  1. Shut the guest down. See Power actions.
  2. Tap Template (or Convert to Template… in the context menu).
  3. Read the confirmation Convert plex to a template?: "Templates cannot be started or edited. You clone new guests from them instead. This cannot be undone."
  4. Tap Convert to Template.

The guest now shows a Template badge in the sidebar.

Important

Converting cannot be undone. If you might still need the guest itself, clone it first and convert the clone.

What changes for a template

  • It shows a Template badge in the sidebar.
  • It cannot be started; its power actions are disabled.
  • It has no Snapshots tab.
  • It is not counted as a guest on the dashboards; the Cluster Overview counts them separately under Inventory › Templates.
  • Clone offers Linked mode in addition to Full.

Prepare a guest before converting

What you put into the template ends up in every clone. Typical preparation, before you shut the guest down:

  • Install updates and the tools every clone needs, such as qemu-guest-agent for virtual machines.
  • Remove machine-specific identity so each clone gets its own, for example SSH host keys and /etc/machine-id on Linux, or run sysprep on Windows.
  • Consider adding a cloud-init drive in the Proxmox web UI, so each clone can receive its own user, SSH key and network settings.

Requirements on the server

Converting typically needs the VM.Allocate privilege on the guest.