LHC: status and commissioning plans

In 2008 the LHC saw a series of injection tests with beam and the start of full beam commissioning. Initial beam commissioning went well and circulating beam was quickly established. Progress was unfortunately curtailed by the sector 34 incident which caused extensive damage. The causes of the incident are recalled and the status of repairs and consolidation measures are presented. The schedule and luminosity targets for the 2009 - 2010 run are discussed.