---
layout: "docs"
page_title: "Commands: Snapshot Restore"
sidebar_current: "docs-commands-snapshot-restore"
---

# Consul Snapshot Restore

Command: `consul snapshot restore`

The `snapshot restore` command is used to restore an atomic, point-in-time
snapshot of the state of the Consul servers which includes key/value entries,
service catalog, prepared queries, sessions, and ACLs. The snapshot is read
from the given file.

Restores involve a potentially dangerous low-level Raft operation that is not
designed to handle server failures during a restore. This command is primarily
intended to be used when recovering from a disaster, restoring into a fresh
cluster of Consul servers.

If ACLs are enabled, a management token must be supplied in order to perform
snapshot a snapshot save.

## Usage

Usage: `consul snapshot restore [options] FILE`

#### API Options

<%= partial "docs/commands/http_api_options_client" %>
<%= partial "docs/commands/http_api_options_server" %>

## Examples

To restore a snapshot from the file "backup.snap":

```text
$ consul snapshot restore backup.snap
Restored snapshot
```

Please see the [HTTP API](/docs/agent/http/snapshot.html) documentation for
more details about snapshot internals.