1---
2layout: commands
3page_title: 'Commands: Snapshot Restore'
4---
5
6# Consul Snapshot Restore
7
8Command: `consul snapshot restore`
9
10The `snapshot restore` command is used to restore an atomic, point-in-time
11snapshot of the state of the Consul servers which includes key/value entries,
12service catalog, prepared queries, sessions, and ACLs. The snapshot is read
13from the given file.
14
15Restores involve a potentially dangerous low-level Raft operation that is not
16designed to handle server failures during a restore. This command is primarily
17intended to be used when recovering from a disaster, restoring into a fresh
18cluster of Consul servers.
19
20If ACLs are enabled, a management token must be supplied in order to perform
21a snapshot restore.
22
23## Usage
24
25Usage: `consul snapshot restore [options] FILE`
26
27#### API Options
28
29@include 'http_api_options_client.mdx'
30
31@include 'http_api_options_server.mdx'
32
33## Examples
34
35To restore a snapshot from the file "backup.snap":
36
37```shell-session
38$ consul snapshot restore backup.snap
39Restored snapshot
40```
41
42Please see the [HTTP API](/api/snapshot) documentation for
43more details about snapshot internals.
44