# erigon-seg-retire > Run the Erigon segment retire command to build, merge, and clean snapshot files. Use this for snapshot publication readiness preparation. - Author: goldlinker - Repository: goldlinker/erigon - Version: 20260209195945 - Stars: 0 - Forks: 0 - Last Updated: 2026-02-09 - Source: https://github.com/goldlinker/erigon - Web: https://mule.run/skillshub/@@goldlinker/erigon~erigon-seg-retire:20260209195945 --- --- 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= ``` Replace `` 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