> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://helix-isolate-failing-index-entities.mintlify.site/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# helix restart

> Restart a background local instance

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Restart an existing background local instance in place. Local only.

## Usage

```bash theme={null}
helix restart [INSTANCE]
```

## Arguments

| Argument | Description |
| - | - |
| `INSTANCE` | Local instance to restart. Defaults to `dev`, then the only local instance, then a picker in a terminal; otherwise the command fails and lists the local instances. |

## Options

| Flag | Description | Default |
| - | - | - |
| `--json` | Print `instance` as JSON on stdout, and never prompt. | Off |

## Behavior

* Restarts the existing container with its current image and container settings. It never pulls an image or creates a replacement container.
* If the container has been removed (for example after `helix stop` or `helix prune`), the command fails. Use [`helix start`](/cli/command-reference/start) to create a container.
* Readiness is checked with `GET /healthz` on the container's published port, including a temporary `helix start --port` override.
* Default local data is in-memory and is wiped by every restart. Disk-mode instances keep data in their local SeaweedFS volume, and S3 data is never deleted.
* `restart` takes no overrides. To change the image, port, or storage mode, use `helix start`, adding `--persist` to save the change.

## Examples

```bash theme={null}
# Restart the default 'dev' instance
helix restart dev

# Restart 'dev' or the only local instance, or pick one
helix restart
```

## Related

* [`helix start`](/cli/command-reference/start) — start with one-off overrides.
* [`helix stop`](/cli/command-reference/stop) — stop a background instance.
* [`helix prune`](/cli/command-reference/prune) — remove all Helix-owned local state for an instance.


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