A computer-implemented method includes saving a copy of a client computing environment to a computer memory on the host system. The processor writes an image of the client computing environment based on the saved copy of the client computing environment. The image includes an application layer, a middleware layer, and a system layer, and is based on the copy of the client computing environment. The image is extractable as a sub-image that includes one or more of the application layer, the middleware layer, and the system layer. The image includes a resource pattern having dependencies that associate two or more of the application layer, the middleware layer, and the system layer, such that the sub-image is combinable with an existing active container operating on a second computing system. The combination results in a functional copy of the client computing system with the changes extracted from the sub-image.