Fly.io has introduced Sprites, a new type of virtual machine that operates differently from their previous Fly Machines. Unlike traditional containers, Sprites are designed for instant creation, allowing users to spin up Linux virtual machines in just seconds. Each Sprite comes with a 100GB durable root filesystem and automatically enters a low-cost sleep mode when not in use. This setup enables users to create and utilize Sprites without the overhead and delays associated with container images, making the experience feel seamless and immediate. Three key decisions drove the development of Sprites. First, Fly.io eliminated user-facing container images, which significantly reduced the time taken to create a new instance. Instead of relying on complex container systems, Sprites utilize a standardized container for quick setup. Second, the storage system for Sprites is based on S3-compatible object storage. This allows for durable storage that can be easily migrated and recovered, as opposed to the previous model that tied data to specific physical servers. The use of object storage enhances reliability and simplifies orchestration since the state of a Sprite is essentially a URL, enabling straightforward migrations. Lastly, the storage stack leverages a model akin to JuiceFS, separating data from metadata to improve efficiency. This setup allows for rapid checkpointing and restoring of Sprites, treating these processes like version control rather than emergency recoveries. With these innovations, Fly.io aims to create a more agile cloud computing experience, minimizing latency and enhancing user control over their virtual environments.