# Checkpoints and rewind

> Go back to an earlier message, undo what the agent did after it, and try again.

Every message you send is a point you can return to. Rewinding removes the messages and actions that came after it, then lets you edit the message and send it again.

## What gets restored

| Provider | Conversation | Files |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Claude** | Rewound | Restored to how they were at that message |
| **Codex** | Rewound | Restored to how they were at that message |
| Other providers | Rewound | Left as they are |

With Claude and Codex, Vato records the changes the agent makes during each turn. These file checkpoints are what let a rewind put your files back.

Only changes made by this agent in this conversation are affected. Other agents and conversations stay untouched.

## Rewind to a message

1. Hover one of your earlier messages.
2. Click **Edit and restore from this message**, the arrow button next to it. You can also click the message itself.
3. The message opens for editing. Change it if you want.
4. Send it again. Nothing is restored until you send.
5. Vato asks **Rewind to this message?** Click **Rewind** to confirm, or **Cancel**.

The agent then starts again from that point with your edited message. Press Escape to leave the editor without changing anything.

> [!TIP]
> If the dialog only concerns the conversation and no files will be deleted, you can check **Don't ask again** to skip it next time.

## Files that will be deleted

Files that the agent created after that message didn't exist at that point. Restoring removes them. When this happens, the dialog lists them under a warning such as **2 file(s) will be deleted**.

> [!WARNING]
> Deletion includes files you created yourself in the meantime, not only the agent's. Read the list before you click **Rewind**.

## Providers without file checkpoints

With other providers, Vato can't restore files. It asks whether to rewind the conversation only. If you accept, the conversation goes back to that message and your files keep their current state.

## When files can't be restored

Even with Claude or Codex, a checkpoint can be missing for a message. Vato then offers the same choice: rewind the conversation only, or cancel.

If the files conflict with the checkpoint, Vato shows **Revert failed** with the reason, and nothing changes. You can still ask the agent to undo its changes in a new message.

## Next steps

- [Choose how much the agent may do on its own](permissions-and-approvals.md)
- [Start your first conversation](first-conversation.md)

Source: https://vatoide.com/docs/agents/checkpoints-and-rewind