> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://opensandbox-oc-s-762ac928075c46d2828bcb22.mintlify.site/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Checkpoints

> Snapshot, fork, and restore from the CLI

## Creating a Checkpoint

Capture the current state of a running sandbox:

```bash theme={null}
oc checkpoint create sb-abc123 --name before-migration
# or using the shortcut:
oc cp create sb-abc123 --name before-migration
```

The checkpoint saves the filesystem and installed state. Status starts as `processing` and transitions to `ready`.

```bash theme={null}
oc cp list sb-abc123
# ID          NAME               STATUS  SIZE     CREATED
# cp-7f3a1b2c before-migration   ready   128 MB   2025-01-15T10:30:00Z
```

## Forking from a Checkpoint

Create new sandboxes from a saved checkpoint. Each fork is independent:

```bash theme={null}
# Spawn two independent sandboxes from the same checkpoint
ID1=$(oc cp spawn cp-7f3a1b2c --json | jq -r '.sandboxID')
ID2=$(oc cp spawn cp-7f3a1b2c --json | jq -r '.sandboxID')

# Run different experiments
oc exec $ID1 --wait -- ./experiment-a.sh
oc exec $ID2 --wait -- ./experiment-b.sh
```

Forked sandboxes start with a fresh boot from the saved disk state — don't assume running processes carry over.

## Restoring

Revert a sandbox in-place to a checkpoint. All changes since the checkpoint are lost:

```bash theme={null}
oc cp restore sb-abc123 cp-7f3a1b2c
```

## Listing and Deleting

```bash theme={null}
oc cp list sb-abc123
oc cp delete sb-abc123 cp-7f3a1b2c
```

Maximum 10 checkpoints per sandbox.

## Checkpoint vs Hibernate

|                  | Checkpoint                    | Hibernate                      |
| ---------------- | ----------------------------- | ------------------------------ |
| Original sandbox | Keeps running                 | Stopped                        |
| Can fork         | Yes — unlimited new sandboxes | No                             |
| Use case         | Branching, parallel testing   | Pause and resume, cost savings |

Use checkpoints when you need to explore multiple paths from the same state. Use hibernation when you just want to pause and resume later.

<Tip>
  SDK usage: [Checkpoints](/sandboxes/checkpoints). Full flags: [CLI Reference](/reference/cli#oc-checkpoint).
</Tip>