---
name: erigon-seg-retire
description: Run the Erigon segment retire command to build, merge, and clean snapshot files. Use this for snapshot publication readiness preparation.
allowed-tools: Bash, Read
---

# Erigon Segment Retire Command

The `erigon seg retire` command prepares snapshot files for publication by performing build, merge, and cleanup operations on segment files.

## Prerequisites

1. **Erigon must be stopped** - The command requires exclusive access to the datadir
2. **Binary must be built** - Run `/erigon-build` first if the binary doesn't exist
3. **Datadir must exist** - A synced Erigon datadir with blockchain data

## Command

```bash
./build/bin/erigon seg retire --datadir=<path>
```

Replace `<path>` with the actual path to your Erigon data directory.

## What the Command Does

The retire command performs these operations in sequence:

1. **Build Missing Indices** - Creates any missing indices for block and Caplin snapshots
2. **Retire Blocks** - Freezes blocks from the database into snapshot files
3. **Remove Overlaps** - Cleans up overlapping snapshot files
4. **Prune Ancient Blocks** - Removes block data from the database that has been successfully snapshotted
5. **Build State History** - Creates missing accessors and builds state history snapshot files
6. **Prune State History** - Removes state history that has been snapshotted
7. **Merge and Cleanup** - Merges smaller snapshot files into larger ones and removes overlaps

## Usage in Snapshot Release Workflow

This command is part of the "Publishable v2" snapshot release flow:

1. Shutdown Erigon
2. **Run `seg retire`** (this command)
3. Optionally run `seg clearIndexing`
4. Run `seg index`
5. Create torrent files
6. Run integrity check
7. Run `publishable` command

## Example

```bash
# Build the binary first (if needed)
make erigon

# Ensure Erigon is stopped, then run seg retire
./build/bin/erigon seg retire --datadir=/data/erigon
```

## Important Notes

- **File Lock**: If Erigon is running, the command will fail due to file lock
- **Long running**: This command can take significant time on mainnet
- **Disk I/O intensive**: Performs extensive read/write operations
- **Resource intensive**: Designed to maximize resource utilization