Restore Files¶
The Restore Files feature provides a dual-panel file explorer for browsing ZFS snapshots and restoring individual files or directories.
Overview¶
The restore interface is inspired by classic file managers like Midnight Commander:
- Left panel: Browse snapshots and their contents
- Right panel: Browse the destination filesystem
- Navigate with vim-style keybindings
- Select multiple files and copy them to any location
Accessing Restore Mode¶
From the main menu, select Restore Files.
Pool Selection¶
- Select Source Pool: Choose the pool containing the snapshots you want to restore from
- Enter Password: If the pool is encrypted, enter the encryption password
Interface Layout¶
┌─ Snapshots (NIXROOT) ─────────────────┬─ /home/user/restore ──────────────┐
│ ▶ autosnap_2026-03-04_00:00:00_daily │ ^ .. │
│ autosnap_2026-03-03_00:00:00_daily │ / Documents │
│ autosnap_2026-03-02_00:00:00_daily │ / Downloads │
│ autosnap_2026-03-01_00:00:00_daily │ file.txt 1.2 KB │
│ autosnap_2026-02-28_00:00:00_daily │ │
│ │ │
└───────────────────────────────────────┴────────────────────────────────────┘
0 files selected (0 B) │ Sort: Name ↑ │ Search:
Navigation¶
Panel Navigation¶
| Key | Action |
|---|---|
| Tab or H / L | Switch between panels |
| J / Down | Move down |
| K / Up | Move up |
| G | Go to first item |
| Shift+G | Go to last item |
| Ctrl+U | Page up |
| Ctrl+D | Page down |
Browsing¶
| Key | Action |
|---|---|
| Enter | Enter snapshot/directory |
| Esc or . | Go to parent directory |
| / | Search in current directory |
File Operations¶
| Key | Action |
|---|---|
| Space | Toggle file selection |
| Y | Yank (copy) selected files |
| M | Create new directory (right panel) |
Other¶
| Key | Action |
|---|---|
| S | Cycle sort mode (name/size/date) |
| U | Unmount source pool and return |
| ? | Show help |
| Q | Return to main menu |
Restoring Files¶
Step 1: Select a Snapshot¶
In the left panel, navigate to the snapshot you want to restore from and press Enter.
Step 2: Navigate to Files¶
Browse into the snapshot's directory structure to find the files you want to restore.
Step 3: Select Files¶
Press Space to toggle selection on files or directories. Selected items show a checkmark (✓).
The status bar at the bottom shows: - Number of files selected - Total size of selected files
Step 4: Choose Destination¶
Use Tab to switch to the right panel and navigate to where you want to restore the files. You can create new directories with M.
Step 5: Copy Files¶
Press Y to yank (copy) the selected files.
Restore Mode Options¶
When you press Y, you'll be asked to choose:
- Restore to original location: Files are restored to their original paths
- Restore to current folder: Files are copied to the directory shown in the right panel
File Attributes¶
When restoring files, the tool preserves:
- Original file permissions
- Original ownership (UID/GID)
- Original modification timestamps
- Symlinks (as symlinks, not as copied files)
Permissions Required
You need appropriate permissions to set ownership. Run with sudo if restoring files owned by other users.
Handling Existing Files¶
If files already exist at the destination, you'll be shown a confirmation dialog listing the conflicting files. Choose whether to:
- Overwrite existing files
- Cancel the operation
Tips¶
Quick Navigation
Use G and Shift+G to jump to the beginning and end of long lists.
Search
Press / and type to filter files in the current directory.
Sorting
Press S to cycle through sort modes: Name, Size, Date.