We've shipped a few improvements we're excited to share. Here's what's new.

📎 Share PDFs and ZIPs in live event chat

Running a live, instructor-led event? You can now share PDF and ZIP files directly in the event chat, alongside the images already supported. It's an easy way to hand attendees reference docs, scripts or supplementary materials – they access the file right from the chat, without leaving Instruqt. Attachments up to 25 MB. Read more.

📊 See your Hotstart pools status at a glance

The Hotstarts page has a new column showing Configured / Ready / Claimed counts for each pool, right next to the Status column. You can see how many sandboxes are configured, ready and claimed without opening every pool, which makes monitoring during an event much quicker.

🔍 Full pool names on hover

Hover over a pool name on the Hotstarts page and the full name appears, so longer names are easy to read in the table. Read more about both improvements for Hotstarts.

⚡ Container-based content starts faster with image caching

We've rolled out container image caching across our infrastructure. A container can now start running while the rest of its image is still downloading, instead of waiting for the full pull to finish. On average, this cuts image pull time by up to 63%. You'll notice the biggest difference on large and complex images, such as a full IDE environment or a database engine. Small, lightweight containers were already quick to start.

Caches are per region, so the first pull of an image in a region runs at normal speed and later pulls benefit. Images with empty or duplicate layers aren't eligible for caching – the docs explain how to check yours. Read more

🎨 A refreshed look – now with light and dark mode

We've been giving pages across the app a visual refresh, including API Keys, Webhooks and the LTI interface, with more pages updated throughout:

Choose Light, Dark or System under Appearance in the account menu at the bottom left of the navigation. This is part of the groundwork as we get ready for the official release of Instruqt Labs 2.0. 🚀

Curious what's coming with Labs 2.0?

There's a lot more on the way. Join us for the hands-on event on September 29th to see it in action.

As an Instruqt customer, you're invited as a VIP. Register with the link below and we'll ship you the 2026 swag kit – canvas tote, insulated bottle, notebook and gel pen, and the holographic Iggy sticker. There are 150 VIP invitations and a limited number of kits, so register asap - sign up here.