diff --git a/ts/smartnginx.classes.smartnginx.ts b/ts/smartnginx.classes.smartnginx.ts
index fd0f154..5aa3bc2 100644
--- a/ts/smartnginx.classes.smartnginx.ts
+++ b/ts/smartnginx.classes.smartnginx.ts
@@ -134,4 +134,13 @@ export class SmartNginx {
       this.hostCandidates.wipe();
     }
   }
+
+  /**
+   * stops the smartnginx instance
+   */
+  public async stop() {
+    if (this.nginxProcess) {
+      await this.nginxProcess.stop();
+    }
+  }
 }