# Snapshots Snapshots are immutable, point-in-time copies of an [instance's](/features/nuvolos-basic-concepts/organisational-hierarchy.md#instances) current state. For background on what snapshots capture and why they matter, see [Snapshots](/features/nuvolos-basic-concepts/snapshots.md). This section covers the practical actions you can perform with snapshots: * [**Create a snapshot**](/features/snapshots/create-a-snapshot.md) — save the current state of an instance as an immutable record (quick or detailed). * [**Delete a snapshot**](/features/snapshots/delete-a-snapshot.md) — permanently remove a snapshot to free up storage. * [**Restore from a snapshot**](/features/snapshots/restore-a-snapshot.md) — replace the current state of an instance with the contents of a snapshot, either in the same instance or in a different one. * **Create an instance from a snapshot** — spawn a new instance pre-populated with the contents of an existing snapshot, useful for onboarding new team members or setting up student environments. * **Distribute from a snapshot** — push selected files, tables, or applications from a snapshot to another location using [object distribution](/features/object-distribution.md). This allows partial restores or sharing specific artefacts without overwriting an entire instance. --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://docs.nuvolos.com/features/snapshots.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.