> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.visual-layer.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Dataset Snapshots

> Create, restore, and clone named checkpoints of your dataset state for version control and safe rollbacks.

Snapshots provide version control for your datasets. Each snapshot captures the exact state of a dataset — media, metadata, enrichment models, clustering, tags, and labels — at a specific point in time. Every dataset starts with an automatically created snapshot, and each pipeline operation (dataset creation, media addition, re-indexing) automatically creates a new revision before it runs. Restore any snapshot to roll back changes, or clone one to create an independent copy for parallel work.

Use snapshots to:

* Save a checkpoint before re-indexing, enrichment, or bulk metadata changes.
* Roll back to a known-good state after an operation produces unexpected results.
* Clone a dataset version to test different enrichment models without affecting the original.

<Note>
  Snapshot **Create**, **Restore**, and **Clone** actions require the **Editor** or **Owner** dataset role. Viewers cannot perform these operations.
</Note>

<Warning>
  Snapshot **Create**, **Restore**, and **Clone** are disabled while other tasks (adding media, enrichment, re-indexing) are running. Wait for in-progress operations to complete before working with snapshots.
</Warning>

## Accessing the Snapshot Catalog

The **Snapshot Catalog** lists all saved snapshots for a dataset in chronological order.

1. Navigate to the dataset you want to manage.
2. Click the **Snapshots** icon in the dataset header toolbar.

The **Snapshot Catalog** drawer opens on the right side of the screen.

<div className="frame-portrait">
  <Frame>
    <img src="https://mintcdn.com/visual-layer/7NkRT0NIvxfnOztL/images/snapshot-catalog.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=7NkRT0NIvxfnOztL&q=85&s=39bf7a611dcf9ee8e28958f93f3a6934" alt="Snapshot Catalog drawer showing list of saved snapshots" width="840" height="1346" data-path="images/snapshot-catalog.png" />
  </Frame>
</div>

### Snapshot Catalog Fields

Each snapshot entry in the catalog displays the following information:

<div className="integrations-table">
  | Field              | Description                                                                                        |
  | ------------------ | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
  | **Name**           | The snapshot name. Editable after creation.                                                        |
  | **Status Badge**   | Displays **Current Version** for the active snapshot, or **Restoring** during a restore operation. |
  | **Description**    | Optional description text, if provided at creation. Editable after creation.                       |
  | **Date and Time**  | When the snapshot was created.                                                                     |
  | **Items**          | Total number of images and videos in the dataset at the time of the snapshot.                      |
  | **Created by**     | The email address of the user who created the snapshot.                                            |
  | **Three-Dot Menu** | Access to **Edit**, **Clone**, **Copy Snapshot ID**, **Restore**, and **Remove** actions.          |
</div>

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/visual-layer/7NkRT0NIvxfnOztL/images/snapshot-options.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=7NkRT0NIvxfnOztL&q=85&s=ed3178da3c4991ba29e2b244ffd469f4" alt="Snapshot three-dot menu showing Edit, Clone, Copy Snapshot ID, Restore, and Remove options" className="img-sm" width="375" height="270" data-path="images/snapshot-options.png" />
</Frame>

Use the search bar at the top of the catalog to filter snapshots by name or description.

## Creating a Snapshot

Create a snapshot to save the current state of your dataset before making changes. Automatic revisions are created by the system before each pipeline operation and do not require user action — this procedure describes creating a snapshot manually.

1. Open the **Snapshot Catalog** by clicking the **Snapshots** icon in the dataset header.
2. Click **Create a snapshot**.
3. Enter a **Name** for the snapshot.
4. Optionally, enter a **Description** to record why you created this checkpoint.
5. Click **Create**.

The snapshot is saved and appears at the top of the **Snapshot Catalog**. While the snapshot is being created, the **Snapshots** icon displays a spinning indicator.

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/visual-layer/7NkRT0NIvxfnOztL/images/snapshot-create-dialog.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=7NkRT0NIvxfnOztL&q=85&s=bd50164913a70e313021dd84fbf16baf" alt="Create Snapshot dialog with name and description fields" className="img-sm" width="524" height="346" data-path="images/snapshot-create-dialog.png" />
</Frame>

If snapshot creation fails, a toast notification appears with the error details. The dataset returns to **Ready** status if the failure occurred in a recoverable stage. If the failure is unrecoverable, the dataset enters **Error** status.

<Note>
  Snapshots can only be created when the dataset is in **Ready** status. If the dataset is processing another operation, wait for it to complete before creating a snapshot.
</Note>

## Restoring a Snapshot

Restore a snapshot to revert the dataset to a previously saved state. All changes made since that snapshot — including media additions, enrichment, metadata updates, and tag changes — are replaced with the data saved in that snapshot. Restoration is available for any snapshot except the one marked as **Current Version**.

1. Open the **Snapshot Catalog**.
2. Locate the snapshot you want to restore.
3. Click the three-dot menu on the snapshot entry.
4. Select **Restore**.
5. In the confirmation dialog, click **Yes** to confirm the restore operation.

The dataset enters **Read Only** status while the restore processes. A **Snapshot Restore** task appears in the **Task Manager** where you can track progress. The dataset returns to **Ready** status once the restore completes.

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/visual-layer/7NkRT0NIvxfnOztL/images/snapshot-restore-confirm.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=7NkRT0NIvxfnOztL&q=85&s=2a02f05cd8bb5a31f4f076e9aba5f9fa" alt="Restore Snapshot confirmation dialog" className="img-sm" width="418" height="173" data-path="images/snapshot-restore-confirm.png" />
</Frame>

<Note>
  Restore replaces all current dataset data with the saved state of the snapshot. This operation cannot be undone. Create a new snapshot of the current state before restoring if you want to preserve it.
</Note>

## Cloning from a Snapshot

Clone a snapshot to create a new, independent dataset from a saved state. The original dataset is unaffected.

1. Open the **Snapshot Catalog**.
2. Locate the snapshot you want to clone.
3. Click the three-dot menu on the snapshot entry.
4. Select **Clone**.
5. Confirm the clone operation in the dialog that appears.

A new dataset is created with the name **\{Original Dataset Name} (cloned)**, and an initial snapshot is created in the new dataset. A **Snapshot Clone** task appears in the **Task Manager** where you can track progress. **Restore**, **Clone**, and **Remove** are disabled on the source snapshot while the operation is in progress. The cloned dataset appears in the **Dataset Inventory** once processing completes.

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/visual-layer/7NkRT0NIvxfnOztL/images/snapshot-clone-confirm.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=7NkRT0NIvxfnOztL&q=85&s=3bf42153360b695da2f923713e47da86" alt="Clone Snapshot confirmation dialog" className="img-sm" width="422" height="173" data-path="images/snapshot-clone-confirm.png" />
</Frame>

<Note>
  The cloned dataset is fully independent. Changes to the clone do not affect the original dataset, and changes to the original do not affect the clone.
</Note>

## Editing a Snapshot

Update the name or description of any snapshot without affecting its saved data.

1. Open the **Snapshot Catalog**.
2. Click the three-dot menu on the snapshot you want to edit.
3. Select **Edit**.
4. Update the **Name** or **Description**.
5. Click **Update**.

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/visual-layer/7NkRT0NIvxfnOztL/images/snapshot-update-edit-details.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=7NkRT0NIvxfnOztL&q=85&s=cc61ed37d3742ceb734b254c551b9ca5" alt="Update Snapshot dialog with name and description fields" className="img-sm" width="523" height="313" data-path="images/snapshot-update-edit-details.png" />
</Frame>

## Removing a Snapshot

Remove a snapshot you no longer need from the catalog.

1. Open the **Snapshot Catalog**.
2. Click the three-dot menu on the snapshot you want to remove.
3. Select **Remove**.
4. In the confirmation dialog, click **Yes** to confirm the removal.

The snapshot is removed from the catalog. Removing a snapshot does not affect the dataset, its current data, or any datasets previously cloned from the snapshot.

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/visual-layer/7NkRT0NIvxfnOztL/images/snapshot-remove-confirm.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=7NkRT0NIvxfnOztL&q=85&s=f7971a2441fcd752ad80a1222ea22705" alt="Remove Snapshot confirmation dialog" className="img-sm" width="421" height="196" data-path="images/snapshot-remove-confirm.png" />
</Frame>

<Note>
  The snapshot marked as **Current Version** cannot be removed.
</Note>

## Copying a Snapshot ID

Copy the unique identifier for a snapshot for use with the API or when contacting support.

1. Open the **Snapshot Catalog**.
2. Click the three-dot menu on the relevant snapshot.
3. Select **Copy Snapshot ID**.

The ID is copied to your clipboard.

## Navigating Between Versions

The **Snapshot Catalog** allows restoration to any snapshot, whether it was created earlier or later than the current version. This enables movement both forward and backward through the dataset history — restoring to an older checkpoint or advancing to a more recent one.

<Note>
  Snapshot **Create**, **Restore**, and **Clone** operations put the dataset in **Read Only** status and block all data-modifying tasks until the operation completes.
</Note>

## Snapshot Limitations

Keep the following constraints in mind when working with snapshots:

* Creating a snapshot requires the dataset to be in **Ready** status. Restore and clone also accept **Partial Index** and **Error** statuses.
* Snapshot creation is blocked while another operation is running — enrichment, media addition, re-indexing, label propagation, custom metadata import, or another snapshot restore.
* Restore and clone operations put the dataset in **Read Only** status, blocking all data-modifying tasks until the operation completes.
* Clone operations run on the new dataset, so they do not block operations on the source dataset.
* The snapshot marked as **Current Version** cannot be deleted. Create a new snapshot to change the current version first.
* Snapshots are available only for datasets created with snapshot support enabled. Older datasets may not support this feature.

## Related Resources

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Snapshots API" icon="file-code-2" href="/api-reference/snapshots">
    Manage snapshots programmatically — create, list, restore, clone, and delete via the REST API.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Task Manager" icon="list-checks" href="/docs/advanced-features/task-manager">
    Track snapshot restore and clone operations alongside other dataset tasks.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Export Dataset" icon="download" href="/docs/advanced-dataset-management/export-dataset">
    Export a specific version of your dataset after restoring a snapshot.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Enrichment" icon="sparkles" href="/docs/advanced-dataset-management/enrich-overview">
    Create a snapshot before running enrichment models as a safety net.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>