Snapshot and Validator Backup

Kanari has two recovery tools with different scopes.

Snapshot export/import

Snapshots are for chain state transfer. They include checkpoint/state information and are suitable for bootstrapping or repairing a replica from a trusted source.

Export from a stopped or trusted source data directory:

cargo run -p kanari-node -- snapshot-export `
  --network devnet `
  --data-dir "$env:USERPROFILE\.kanari\kanari-db" `
  --output .\snapshots\devnet-latest.json

Import verifies snapshot hash, genesis identity, checkpoint height, and state root before writing. It refuses to overwrite non-empty target data directories.

Full validator backup

Validator backup is for disaster recovery of a validator. It is encrypted and covers the recovery material needed to restore the validator host, including state, WAL/recovery files, node identity, keys, and genesis material.

Set a backup password:

$env:KANARI_VALIDATOR_BACKUP_PASSWORD = "use-a-long-secret"

Export:

kanari-node validator-backup-export `
  --network devnet `
  --data-dir C:\kanari\validator1 `
  --recovery-dir C:\Users\you\.kanari `
  --output C:\kanari\backups\validator1.kbackup.json

Import into empty directories:

kanari-node validator-backup-import `
  --network devnet `
  --backup C:\kanari\backups\validator1.kbackup.json `
  --data-dir C:\kanari\restore\validator1 `
  --recovery-dir C:\kanari\restore\recovery

Which one should I use?

Always test restore on a non-production node before relying on a backup plan.