A hierarchical tree of nodes for layered images may be maintained. The hierarchical tree may include paths that each includes nodes representing layered images for a virtual machine. A request indicating a child component may be received. A subset of the paths of the hierarchical tree may be identified where each of the subset of the paths includes a child node representing the child component, one or more intermediary nodes representing layered images of intermediary components, and a root node. A path, from the subset of paths, with fewer nodes representing layered images that are not present in a storage of a machine may be selected. Furthermore, the layered images that are not present in the storage of the machine may be provided to the machine to instantiate a virtual machine to execute the child component.

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