---
layout: docs
page_title: 'Commands: volume snapshot create'
description: |
  Create external volume snapshots.
---

# Command: volume snapshot create

The `volume snapshot create` command creates a snapshot of an existing
[Container Storage Interface (CSI)][csi] volume. Only CSI plugins that
implement the [Controller][csi_plugins_internals] interface support this
command.

## Usage

```plaintext
nomad volume snapshot create [volume] [snapshot_name]
```

The `volume snapshot create` command requires a volume ID or prefix. If there
is an exact match based on the provided volume ID or prefix, then the specific
volume is snapshotted. Otherwise, a list of matching volumes and information
will be displayed. The volume must still be [registered] with Nomad in order
to be snapshotted.

If an optional snapshot name is provided, the argument will be passed to the
CSI plugin to be used as the ID of the resulting snapshot. Not all plugins
accept this name and it may be ignored.

When ACLs are enabled, this command requires a token with the
`csi-write-volume` capability for the volume's namespace.

## General Options

@include 'general_options.mdx'

## Examples

Snapshot a volume:

```shell-session
$ nomad volume snapshot create ebs_prod_db1
Completed snapshot of volume ebs_prod_db1 with snapshot ID snap-12345.
```

Snapshot a volume with a suggested snapshot ID:

```shell-session
$ nomad volume snapshot create ebs_prod_db1 snap-12345
Completed snapshot of volume ebs_prod_db1 with snapshot ID snap-12345.
```

[csi]: https://github.com/container-storage-interface/spec
[csi_plugin]: /docs/job-specification/csi_plugin
[registered]: /docs/commands/volume/register
[csi_plugins_internals]: /docs/internals/plugins/csi#csi-plugins