---
layout: docs
page_title: 'Commands: Snapshot Restore'
sidebar_title: 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
a snapshot restore.
## Usage
Usage: `consul snapshot restore [options] FILE`
#### API Options
@include 'http_api_options_client.mdx'
@include 'http_api_options_server.mdx'
## Examples
To restore a snapshot from the file "backup.snap":
```text
$ consul snapshot restore backup.snap
Restored snapshot
```
Please see the [HTTP API](/api/snapshot) documentation for
more details about snapshot internals.