As ocean temperatures rise and marine heatwaves become more frequent, coral reefs—among the most biodiverse ecosystems on Earth—face existential threats. Mass bleaching events, driven by thermal stress, disrupt the symbiotic relationship between corals and their algal partners, often resulting in coral mortality. However, not all corals perish. A study published in Communications Earth & Environment sheds light on the molecular and microbial mechanisms that distinguish resilient corals from those that succumb to heat stress.