# gel restore

Restore a Gel branch from a backup file.

```cli-synopsis
gel restore [<options>] <path>
```

## Description

`gel restore` is a terminal command used to restore a Gel branch branch from a backup file. The backup is restored to the currently active branch.

> Note: The backup cannot be restored to a branch with any existing schema. As a result, you should restore to one of these targets:
> 
> - a new empty branch which can be created using [gel branch create](https://docs.geldata.com/reference/using/cli/gel_branch/gel_branch_create.md#ref-cli-gel-branch-create) with the `--empty` option
> 
> - a new empty branch if your instance is running EdgeDB versions prior to 5
> - an existing branch that has been wiped with the appropriate `wipe` command (either [gel branch wipe](https://docs.geldata.com/reference/using/cli/gel_branch/gel_branch_wipe.md#ref-cli-gel-branch-wipe) or [gel database wipe](https://docs.geldata.com/reference/using/cli/gel_database/gel_database_wipe.md#ref-cli-gel-database-wipe); note that this will destroy all data and schema currently in that branch/database)

## Options

The `restore` command restores the backup file into the active branch. For specifying the connection target see [connection options](https://docs.geldata.com/reference/using/cli/gel_connopts.md#ref-cli-gel-connopts).

`<path>`:
The name of the backup file to restore the branch from.



`--all`:
Restore all branches and the server configuration using the directory specified by the `<path>`.



`-v, --verbose`:
Verbose output.