diff --git a/cmd/tomswall/guard_test.go b/cmd/tomswall/guard_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..12459a3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/cmd/tomswall/guard_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,30 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"errors"
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"testing"
+
+	"github.com/spf13/cobra"
+
+	"git.unkin.net/unkin/tomswall/internal/tryapply"
+)
+
+func TestMutatingCommandsRefuseWhileTryPending(t *testing.T) {
+	orig := tryapply.Dir
+	tryapply.Dir = t.TempDir()
+	t.Cleanup(func() { tryapply.Dir = orig })
+	if err := os.WriteFile(filepath.Join(tryapply.Dir, "try-snapshot.json"), []byte("{}"), 0o600); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	configPath = "../../tomswall.example.yaml"
+
+	for _, cmd := range []*cobra.Command{applyCmd(), flushCmd(), purgeCmd()} {
+		t.Run(cmd.Use, func(t *testing.T) {
+			if err := cmd.RunE(cmd, nil); !errors.Is(err, tryapply.ErrPending) {
+				t.Errorf("got %v, want ErrPending", err)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
diff --git a/cmd/tomswall/main.go b/cmd/tomswall/main.go
index c617769..bd886e1 100644
--- a/cmd/tomswall/main.go
+++ b/cmd/tomswall/main.go
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ import (
 	"git.unkin.net/unkin/tomswall/internal/config"
 	"git.unkin.net/unkin/tomswall/internal/nftables"
 	"git.unkin.net/unkin/tomswall/internal/shorewall"
+	"git.unkin.net/unkin/tomswall/internal/tryapply"
 )
 
 var configPath string
@@ -33,6 +34,9 @@ Use 'tomswall migrate' to convert a shorewall config to YAML.`,
 
 	root.AddCommand(
 		applyCmd(),
+		tryCmd(),
+		confirmCmd(),
+		revertCmd(),
 		planCmd(),
 		validateCmd(),
 		statusCmd(),
@@ -86,6 +90,12 @@ The firewall is never torn down — existing connections are preserved.`,
 				return err
 			}
 
+			unlock, err := tryapply.Acquire()
+			if err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
+			defer unlock()
+
 			engine, err := nftables.NewEngine(cfg)
 			if err != nil {
 				return fmt.Errorf("initializing nftables: %w", err)
@@ -227,6 +237,14 @@ func purgeCmd() *cobra.Command {
 				return err
 			}
 
+			if !dryRun {
+				unlock, err := tryapply.Acquire()
+				if err != nil {
+					return err
+				}
+				defer unlock()
+			}
+
 			engine, err := nftables.NewEngine(cfg)
 			if err != nil {
 				return fmt.Errorf("initializing nftables: %w", err)
@@ -272,6 +290,12 @@ func flushCmd() *cobra.Command {
 				return err
 			}
 
+			unlock, err := tryapply.Acquire()
+			if err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
+			defer unlock()
+
 			engine, err := nftables.NewEngine(cfg)
 			if err != nil {
 				return fmt.Errorf("initializing nftables: %w", err)
diff --git a/cmd/tomswall/try.go b/cmd/tomswall/try.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ee9e21e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/cmd/tomswall/try.go
@@ -0,0 +1,168 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"os"
+	"os/signal"
+	"strings"
+	"syscall"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/spf13/cobra"
+
+	"git.unkin.net/unkin/tomswall/internal/config"
+	"git.unkin.net/unkin/tomswall/internal/nftables"
+	"git.unkin.net/unkin/tomswall/internal/tryapply"
+)
+
+// revertGrace lets the in-process revert win before the systemd fallback fires.
+const revertGrace = 30 * time.Second
+
+func tryCmd() *cobra.Command {
+	var timeout time.Duration
+	cmd := &cobra.Command{
+		Use:   "try",
+		Short: "Apply configuration and revert unless confirmed within a timeout",
+		Long: `Try snapshots the live tomswall table to disk, applies the configuration, then
+waits for 'tomswall confirm'. On timeout, interrupt or hangup the snapshot is
+restored atomically. A transient systemd timer restores it too if this process
+dies. Confirm from a new session to prove new connections still work.`,
+		RunE: func(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
+			cfg, err := loadConfig()
+			if err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
+
+			// Registered before apply so a confirm or hangup cannot be missed.
+			signal.Ignore(syscall.SIGPIPE)
+			confirm := make(chan os.Signal, 1)
+			signal.Notify(confirm, syscall.SIGUSR1)
+			abort := make(chan os.Signal, 1)
+			signal.Notify(abort, syscall.SIGHUP, syscall.SIGINT, syscall.SIGTERM)
+
+			id, err := tryApply(cfg, timeout+revertGrace)
+			if err != nil || id == "" {
+				return err
+			}
+			fmt.Printf("Applied. Run 'tomswall confirm' within %s or the previous ruleset is restored.\n", timeout)
+			msg, err := confirmOrRevert(confirm, abort, timeout, func() (bool, error) { return tryapply.Revert(id) })
+			if err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
+			fmt.Println(msg)
+			return nil
+		},
+	}
+	cmd.Flags().DurationVar(&timeout, "timeout", 60*time.Second, "time to wait for confirmation before reverting")
+	return cmd
+}
+
+// tryApply applies cfg under a pending try and returns its ID, or "" when
+// there was nothing to change.
+func tryApply(cfg *config.Config, fallback time.Duration) (string, error) {
+	unlock, err := tryapply.Acquire()
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+	defer unlock()
+
+	engine, err := nftables.NewEngine(cfg)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("initializing nftables: %w", err)
+	}
+	changes, err := engine.Plan()
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("computing changes: %w", err)
+	}
+	if changes.Empty() {
+		fmt.Println("No changes needed — firewall is up to date.")
+		return "", nil
+	}
+	fmt.Println(changes.Summary())
+
+	snap, err := engine.Snapshot()
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("snapshotting ruleset: %w", err)
+	}
+	id, err := tryapply.Arm(snap, os.Getpid(), fallback)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+	if err := engine.Apply(changes); err != nil {
+		if derr := tryapply.Discard(); derr != nil {
+			err = fmt.Errorf("%w (discarding snapshot: %v)", err, derr)
+		}
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("applying changes: %w", err)
+	}
+	return id, nil
+}
+
+// confirmOrRevert waits for confirm; on abort or timeout it runs revert.
+// A confirm already delivered wins over a simultaneous abort or timeout.
+func confirmOrRevert(confirm, abort <-chan os.Signal, timeout time.Duration, revert func() (bool, error)) (string, error) {
+	reason := "not confirmed within " + timeout.String()
+	select {
+	case <-confirm:
+		return "Confirmed.", nil
+	case s := <-abort:
+		reason = "interrupted by " + s.String()
+	case <-time.After(timeout):
+	}
+	select {
+	case <-confirm:
+		return "Confirmed.", nil
+	default:
+	}
+	reverted, err := revert()
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("%s; revert failed: %w", reason, err)
+	}
+	if !reverted {
+		return "Already resolved by 'tomswall confirm' or 'tomswall revert'.", nil
+	}
+	return "", fmt.Errorf("%s: previous ruleset restored", reason)
+}
+
+func confirmCmd() *cobra.Command {
+	return &cobra.Command{
+		Use:   "confirm",
+		Short: "Keep the configuration applied by a pending 'tomswall try'",
+		RunE: func(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
+			pid, ok, err := tryapply.Confirm()
+			if err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
+			if !ok {
+				return fmt.Errorf("no pending 'tomswall try': it was already reverted or confirmed")
+			}
+			// A recycled PID must not be signalled.
+			if comm, err := os.ReadFile(fmt.Sprintf("/proc/%d/comm", pid)); err == nil && strings.TrimSpace(string(comm)) == "tomswall" {
+				_ = syscall.Kill(pid, syscall.SIGUSR1)
+			}
+			fmt.Println("Confirmed.")
+			return nil
+		},
+	}
+}
+
+func revertCmd() *cobra.Command {
+	var id string
+	cmd := &cobra.Command{
+		Use:   "revert",
+		Short: "Restore the ruleset saved by a pending 'tomswall try'",
+		RunE: func(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
+			reverted, err := tryapply.Revert(id)
+			if err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
+			if !reverted {
+				fmt.Println("No pending 'tomswall try'.")
+				return nil
+			}
+			fmt.Println("Previous ruleset restored.")
+			return nil
+		},
+	}
+	cmd.Flags().StringVar(&id, "id", "", "only revert the try with this ID (used by the revert timer)")
+	return cmd
+}
diff --git a/cmd/tomswall/try_test.go b/cmd/tomswall/try_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a8f99f8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/cmd/tomswall/try_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,63 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"errors"
+	"os"
+	"syscall"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+)
+
+func TestConfirmOrRevert(t *testing.T) {
+	tests := []struct {
+		name         string
+		confirm      bool
+		abort        bool
+		resolved     bool
+		revertErr    error
+		wantRevert   bool
+		wantErr      bool
+		wantResolved bool
+	}{
+		{name: "confirmed keeps ruleset", confirm: true},
+		{name: "confirm wins over simultaneous abort", confirm: true, abort: true},
+		{name: "timeout reverts", wantRevert: true, wantErr: true},
+		{name: "hangup reverts", abort: true, wantRevert: true, wantErr: true},
+		{name: "revert failure surfaces", revertErr: errors.New("boom"), wantRevert: true, wantErr: true},
+		{name: "resolved elsewhere", resolved: true, wantRevert: true, wantResolved: true},
+	}
+	for _, tt := range tests {
+		t.Run(tt.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			for i := 0; i < 20; i++ { // select between ready channels is random
+				confirm := make(chan os.Signal, 1)
+				abort := make(chan os.Signal, 1)
+				if tt.confirm {
+					confirm <- syscall.SIGUSR1
+				}
+				if tt.abort {
+					abort <- syscall.SIGHUP
+				}
+				called := false
+				msg, err := confirmOrRevert(confirm, abort, 10*time.Millisecond, func() (bool, error) {
+					called = true
+					return !tt.resolved, tt.revertErr
+				})
+				if called != tt.wantRevert {
+					t.Fatalf("revert called = %v, want %v", called, tt.wantRevert)
+				}
+				if (err != nil) != tt.wantErr {
+					t.Fatalf("err = %v, wantErr %v", err, tt.wantErr)
+				}
+				if tt.revertErr != nil && !errors.Is(err, tt.revertErr) {
+					t.Fatalf("revert error not wrapped: %v", err)
+				}
+				if tt.wantResolved && msg == "" {
+					t.Fatal("expected already-resolved message")
+				}
+				if !(tt.confirm && tt.abort) {
+					break
+				}
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
diff --git a/go.mod b/go.mod
index 5d8664e..0f68d47 100644
--- a/go.mod
+++ b/go.mod
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ go 1.23
 
 require (
 	github.com/google/nftables v0.2.0
+	github.com/mdlayher/netlink v1.7.2
 	github.com/spf13/cobra v1.8.1
 	golang.org/x/sys v0.18.0
 	gopkg.in/yaml.v3 v3.0.1
@@ -13,7 +14,6 @@ require (
 	github.com/google/go-cmp v0.6.0 // indirect
 	github.com/inconshreveable/mousetrap v1.1.0 // indirect
 	github.com/josharian/native v1.1.0 // indirect
-	github.com/mdlayher/netlink v1.7.2 // indirect
 	github.com/mdlayher/socket v0.5.1 // indirect
 	github.com/spf13/pflag v1.0.5 // indirect
 	golang.org/x/net v0.23.0 // indirect
diff --git a/internal/agent/agent.go b/internal/agent/agent.go
index bf7d68c..868c4e0 100644
--- a/internal/agent/agent.go
+++ b/internal/agent/agent.go
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ import (
 
 	"git.unkin.net/unkin/tomswall/internal/config"
 	"git.unkin.net/unkin/tomswall/internal/nftables"
+	"git.unkin.net/unkin/tomswall/internal/tryapply"
 )
 
 // Applier applies a translated config to the firewall. Abstracted so the run
@@ -103,8 +104,14 @@ func (a *Agent) applyConfig(ctx context.Context, rc *RenderedConfig, report bool
 // EngineApplier applies via the real nftables differential engine.
 type EngineApplier struct{}
 
-// Apply computes and applies the differential change set for cfg.
+// Apply computes and applies the differential change set for cfg. It refuses
+// while a 'tomswall try' awaits confirmation.
 func (EngineApplier) Apply(_ context.Context, cfg *config.Config) error {
+	unlock, err := tryapply.Acquire()
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	defer unlock()
 	engine, err := nftables.NewEngine(cfg)
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("initializing nftables: %w", err)
diff --git a/internal/nftables/compiler.go b/internal/nftables/compiler.go
index cd7964c..416ca06 100644
--- a/internal/nftables/compiler.go
+++ b/internal/nftables/compiler.go
@@ -839,7 +839,7 @@ func (c *Compiler) compileMSSClamp(state *FirewallState) {
 					Type:         2,
 					Offset:       2,
 					Len:          2,
-					Op:           0,
+					Op:           expr.ExthdrOpTcpopt,
 				},
 				&expr.Cmp{Op: expr.CmpOpGt, Register: 1, Data: mssBytes},
 				&expr.Immediate{Register: 1, Data: mssBytes},
@@ -848,7 +848,7 @@ func (c *Compiler) compileMSSClamp(state *FirewallState) {
 					Type:           2,
 					Offset:         2,
 					Len:            2,
-					Op:             1,
+					Op:             expr.ExthdrOpTcpopt,
 				},
 			)
 			state.Rules["forward"] = append(state.Rules["forward"], ManagedRule{
diff --git a/internal/nftables/compiler_test.go b/internal/nftables/compiler_test.go
index 8c650c8..623b4c3 100644
--- a/internal/nftables/compiler_test.go
+++ b/internal/nftables/compiler_test.go
@@ -1202,14 +1202,26 @@ func TestCompile_MSSClamp(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatalf("Compile() error: %v", err)
 	}
 
-	found := false
-	for _, r := range state.Rules["forward"] {
+	var rule *ManagedRule
+	for i, r := range state.Rules["forward"] {
 		if r.Tag == "mss:eth1" {
-			found = true
+			rule = &state.Rules["forward"][i]
 		}
 	}
-	if !found {
-		t.Error("MSS clamp rule not found in forward chain")
+	if rule == nil {
+		t.Fatal("MSS clamp rule not found in forward chain")
+	}
+
+	mss := []byte{0x05, 0x78}
+	want := []expr.Any{
+		&expr.Exthdr{DestRegister: 1, Type: 2, Offset: 2, Len: 2, Op: expr.ExthdrOpTcpopt},
+		&expr.Cmp{Op: expr.CmpOpGt, Register: 1, Data: mss},
+		&expr.Immediate{Register: 1, Data: mss},
+		&expr.Exthdr{SourceRegister: 1, Type: 2, Offset: 2, Len: 2, Op: expr.ExthdrOpTcpopt},
+	}
+	got := rule.Exprs[len(rule.Exprs)-len(want):]
+	if !reflect.DeepEqual(got, want) {
+		t.Errorf("MSS clamp exprs = %#v, want %#v", got, want)
 	}
 }
 
diff --git a/internal/nftables/diff.go b/internal/nftables/diff.go
index e4bd988..e0a8167 100644
--- a/internal/nftables/diff.go
+++ b/internal/nftables/diff.go
@@ -105,3 +105,29 @@ func computeDiff(current, desired *FirewallState) *ChangeSet {
 func ruleEqual(a, b ManagedRule) bool {
 	return a.Chain == b.Chain && a.Tag == b.Tag && reflect.DeepEqual(a.Exprs, b.Exprs)
 }
+
+// restoreChangeSet replaces every managed rule in current with the snapshot's,
+// in snapshot order, so a restore cannot reorder rules.
+func restoreChangeSet(current, snap *FirewallState) *ChangeSet {
+	cs := &ChangeSet{}
+	for _, rules := range current.Rules {
+		for _, r := range rules {
+			if r.Tag != "" {
+				cs.Remove = append(cs.Remove, r)
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	chains := make([]string, 0, len(snap.Rules))
+	for c := range snap.Rules {
+		chains = append(chains, c)
+	}
+	sort.Strings(chains)
+	for _, c := range chains {
+		for _, r := range snap.Rules[c] {
+			if r.Tag != "" {
+				cs.Add = append(cs.Add, r)
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	return cs
+}
diff --git a/internal/nftables/diff_test.go b/internal/nftables/diff_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f0eff4c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/internal/nftables/diff_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,66 @@
+package nftables
+
+import (
+	"reflect"
+	"testing"
+
+	"github.com/google/nftables/expr"
+)
+
+func TestRestoreChangeSet(t *testing.T) {
+	accept := []expr.Any{&expr.Verdict{Kind: expr.VerdictAccept}}
+	drop := []expr.Any{&expr.Verdict{Kind: expr.VerdictDrop}}
+
+	snap := &FirewallState{Rules: map[string][]ManagedRule{
+		"input": {
+			{Chain: "input", Tag: "ssh", Exprs: accept, Handle: 4},
+			{Chain: "input", Tag: "web", Exprs: accept, Handle: 5},
+			{Chain: "input", Tag: "", Exprs: drop, Handle: 6},
+		},
+		"forward": {{Chain: "forward", Tag: "fwd", Exprs: accept, Handle: 7}},
+	}}
+	current := &FirewallState{Rules: map[string][]ManagedRule{
+		"input": {
+			{Chain: "input", Tag: "web", Exprs: accept, Handle: 10},
+			{Chain: "input", Tag: "ssh", Exprs: drop, Handle: 11},
+			{Chain: "input", Tag: "", Exprs: drop, Handle: 12},
+		},
+	}}
+
+	cs := restoreChangeSet(current, snap)
+
+	var removed []uint64
+	for _, r := range cs.Remove {
+		removed = append(removed, r.Handle)
+	}
+	if len(removed) != 2 || removed[0] != 10 || removed[1] != 11 {
+		t.Errorf("expected managed handles [10 11] removed, untagged kept; got %v", removed)
+	}
+
+	var added []string
+	for _, r := range cs.Add {
+		added = append(added, r.Tag)
+	}
+	want := []string{"fwd", "ssh", "web"}
+	if len(added) != len(want) {
+		t.Fatalf("added %v, want %v", added, want)
+	}
+	for i := range want {
+		if added[i] != want[i] {
+			t.Fatalf("added %v, want %v (snapshot order per chain)", added, want)
+		}
+	}
+	if !reflect.DeepEqual(cs.Add[1].Exprs, accept) {
+		t.Error("ssh not restored to its snapshot exprs")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestRestoreChangeSetEmptySnapshotRemovesAll(t *testing.T) {
+	current := &FirewallState{Rules: map[string][]ManagedRule{
+		"input": {{Chain: "input", Tag: "x", Handle: 1}},
+	}}
+	cs := restoreChangeSet(current, &FirewallState{Rules: map[string][]ManagedRule{}})
+	if len(cs.Remove) != 1 || len(cs.Add) != 0 {
+		t.Errorf("expected 1 remove 0 add, got %d/%d", len(cs.Remove), len(cs.Add))
+	}
+}
diff --git a/internal/nftables/engine.go b/internal/nftables/engine.go
index 32616cc..77a4afe 100644
--- a/internal/nftables/engine.go
+++ b/internal/nftables/engine.go
@@ -28,7 +28,8 @@ func (e *Engine) ensureTable() *nftables.Table {
 	})
 }
 
-func (e *Engine) ensureChains(table *nftables.Table) map[string]*nftables.Chain {
+// ensureChains declares the base chains; policies overrides their default policy.
+func (e *Engine) ensureChains(table *nftables.Table, policies map[string]nftables.ChainPolicy) map[string]*nftables.Chain {
 	chains := map[string]*nftables.Chain{
 		"input": {
 			Name:     "input",
@@ -71,6 +72,9 @@ func (e *Engine) ensureChains(table *nftables.Table) map[string]*nftables.Chain
 	}
 
 	for name, chain := range chains {
+		if p, ok := policies[name]; ok {
+			chain.Policy = policyPtr(p)
+		}
 		chains[name] = e.conn.AddChain(chain)
 	}
 	return chains
@@ -93,8 +97,12 @@ func (e *Engine) Plan() (*ChangeSet, error) {
 }
 
 func (e *Engine) Apply(changes *ChangeSet) error {
+	return e.apply(changes, nil)
+}
+
+func (e *Engine) apply(changes *ChangeSet, policies map[string]nftables.ChainPolicy) error {
 	table := e.ensureTable()
-	chains := e.ensureChains(table)
+	chains := e.ensureChains(table, policies)
 
 	for _, r := range changes.Remove {
 		e.conn.DelRule(&nftables.Rule{
@@ -141,31 +149,32 @@ func (e *Engine) Flush() error {
 	return nil
 }
 
+func (e *Engine) findTable() (*nftables.Table, error) {
+	tables, err := e.conn.ListTables()
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("listing tables: %w", err)
+	}
+	for _, t := range tables {
+		if t.Name == e.cfg.Settings.TableName && t.Family == nftables.TableFamilyINet {
+			return t, nil
+		}
+	}
+	return nil, nil
+}
+
 func (e *Engine) readCurrentState() (*FirewallState, error) {
 	state := &FirewallState{
 		Rules: make(map[string][]ManagedRule),
 	}
 
-	tables, err := e.conn.ListTables()
-	if err != nil {
-		return state, nil
-	}
-
-	var ourTable *nftables.Table
-	for _, t := range tables {
-		if t.Name == e.cfg.Settings.TableName && t.Family == nftables.TableFamilyINet {
-			ourTable = t
-			break
-		}
-	}
-
-	if ourTable == nil {
-		return state, nil
+	ourTable, err := e.findTable()
+	if err != nil || ourTable == nil {
+		return state, err
 	}
 
 	chains, err := e.conn.ListChainsOfTableFamily(nftables.TableFamilyINet)
 	if err != nil {
-		return state, nil
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("listing chains: %w", err)
 	}
 
 	for _, chain := range chains {
@@ -174,7 +183,7 @@ func (e *Engine) readCurrentState() (*FirewallState, error) {
 		}
 		rules, err := e.conn.GetRules(ourTable, chain)
 		if err != nil {
-			continue
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("listing rules of %s: %w", chain.Name, err)
 		}
 		for _, rule := range rules {
 			state.Rules[chain.Name] = append(state.Rules[chain.Name], ManagedRule{
@@ -189,6 +198,72 @@ func (e *Engine) readCurrentState() (*FirewallState, error) {
 	return state, nil
 }
 
+// Snapshot is the tomswall table as captured live, serialisable so a revert
+// survives the process that took it.
+type Snapshot struct {
+	Table    string                          `json:"table"`
+	Present  bool                            `json:"present"`
+	Policies map[string]nftables.ChainPolicy `json:"policies,omitempty"`
+	Rules    map[string][]SnapshotRule       `json:"rules,omitempty"`
+}
+
+// SnapshotRule is a managed rule with its expressions in netlink wire format.
+type SnapshotRule struct {
+	Tag   string   `json:"tag"`
+	Exprs [][]byte `json:"exprs"`
+}
+
+// Snapshot captures the live tomswall table so Restore can roll back to it.
+func (e *Engine) Snapshot() (*Snapshot, error) {
+	snap := &Snapshot{Table: e.cfg.Settings.TableName}
+	t, err := e.findTable()
+	if err != nil || t == nil {
+		return snap, err
+	}
+	snap.Present = true
+
+	chains, err := e.conn.ListChainsOfTableFamily(nftables.TableFamilyINet)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("listing chains: %w", err)
+	}
+	snap.Policies = make(map[string]nftables.ChainPolicy)
+	for _, c := range chains {
+		if c.Table.Name == snap.Table && c.Policy != nil {
+			snap.Policies[c.Name] = *c.Policy
+		}
+	}
+
+	state, err := e.readCurrentState()
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	snap.Rules, err = encodeState(state)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	return snap, nil
+}
+
+// Restore atomically returns the tomswall table to the snapshot: rule order
+// and chain policies included, or removed if it was absent.
+func (e *Engine) Restore(s *Snapshot) error {
+	if s.Table != e.cfg.Settings.TableName {
+		return fmt.Errorf("snapshot is of table %q, engine manages %q", s.Table, e.cfg.Settings.TableName)
+	}
+	if !s.Present {
+		return e.Flush()
+	}
+	want, err := decodeState(s.Rules)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	current, err := e.readCurrentState()
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	return e.apply(restoreChangeSet(current, want), s.Policies)
+}
+
 func policyPtr(p nftables.ChainPolicy) *nftables.ChainPolicy {
 	return &p
 }
diff --git a/internal/nftables/snapshot.go b/internal/nftables/snapshot.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..bcb9b41
--- /dev/null
+++ b/internal/nftables/snapshot.go
@@ -0,0 +1,119 @@
+package nftables
+
+import (
+	"encoding/binary"
+	"fmt"
+
+	"github.com/google/nftables"
+	"github.com/google/nftables/expr"
+	"github.com/mdlayher/netlink"
+	"golang.org/x/sys/unix"
+)
+
+const inet = byte(nftables.TableFamilyINet)
+
+// exprByName mirrors the expression types google/nftables can parse back from the kernel.
+var exprByName = map[string]func() expr.Any{
+	"ct":           func() expr.Any { return &expr.Ct{} },
+	"range":        func() expr.Any { return &expr.Range{} },
+	"meta":         func() expr.Any { return &expr.Meta{} },
+	"cmp":          func() expr.Any { return &expr.Cmp{} },
+	"counter":      func() expr.Any { return &expr.Counter{} },
+	"objref":       func() expr.Any { return &expr.Objref{} },
+	"payload":      func() expr.Any { return &expr.Payload{} },
+	"lookup":       func() expr.Any { return &expr.Lookup{} },
+	"immediate":    func() expr.Any { return &expr.Immediate{} },
+	"bitwise":      func() expr.Any { return &expr.Bitwise{} },
+	"redir":        func() expr.Any { return &expr.Redir{} },
+	"nat":          func() expr.Any { return &expr.NAT{} },
+	"limit":        func() expr.Any { return &expr.Limit{} },
+	"quota":        func() expr.Any { return &expr.Quota{} },
+	"dynset":       func() expr.Any { return &expr.Dynset{} },
+	"log":          func() expr.Any { return &expr.Log{} },
+	"exthdr":       func() expr.Any { return &expr.Exthdr{} },
+	"connlimit":    func() expr.Any { return &expr.Connlimit{} },
+	"queue":        func() expr.Any { return &expr.Queue{} },
+	"flow_offload": func() expr.Any { return &expr.FlowOffload{} },
+	"reject":       func() expr.Any { return &expr.Reject{} },
+	"masq":         func() expr.Any { return &expr.Masq{} },
+	"hash":         func() expr.Any { return &expr.Hash{} },
+	"notrack":      func() expr.Any { return &expr.Notrack{} },
+}
+
+func encodeState(state *FirewallState) (map[string][]SnapshotRule, error) {
+	out := make(map[string][]SnapshotRule, len(state.Rules))
+	for chain, rules := range state.Rules {
+		for _, r := range rules {
+			sr := SnapshotRule{Tag: r.Tag}
+			for _, e := range r.Exprs {
+				b, err := expr.Marshal(inet, e)
+				if err != nil {
+					return nil, fmt.Errorf("encoding %s rule %q: %w", chain, r.Tag, err)
+				}
+				sr.Exprs = append(sr.Exprs, b)
+			}
+			out[chain] = append(out[chain], sr)
+		}
+	}
+	return out, nil
+}
+
+func decodeState(rules map[string][]SnapshotRule) (*FirewallState, error) {
+	state := &FirewallState{Rules: make(map[string][]ManagedRule, len(rules))}
+	for chain, rs := range rules {
+		for _, sr := range rs {
+			r := ManagedRule{Chain: chain, Tag: sr.Tag}
+			for _, b := range sr.Exprs {
+				e, err := decodeExpr(b)
+				if err != nil {
+					return nil, fmt.Errorf("decoding %s rule %q: %w", chain, sr.Tag, err)
+				}
+				r.Exprs = append(r.Exprs, e)
+			}
+			state.Rules[chain] = append(state.Rules[chain], r)
+		}
+	}
+	return state, nil
+}
+
+// decodeExpr reverses expr.Marshal, as google/nftables does when reading rules.
+func decodeExpr(b []byte) (expr.Any, error) {
+	ad, err := netlink.NewAttributeDecoder(b)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	ad.ByteOrder = binary.BigEndian
+	var name string
+	var data []byte
+	for ad.Next() {
+		switch ad.Type() {
+		case unix.NFTA_EXPR_NAME:
+			name = ad.String()
+		case unix.NFTA_EXPR_DATA:
+			data = ad.Bytes()
+		}
+	}
+	if err := ad.Err(); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	newExpr, ok := exprByName[name]
+	if !ok {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("unsupported expression %q", name)
+	}
+	e := newExpr()
+	if name == "notrack" {
+		return e, nil
+	}
+	if err := expr.Unmarshal(inet, data, e); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	// A verdict is an immediate into the verdict register with no data.
+	if imm, ok := e.(*expr.Immediate); ok && imm.Register == unix.NFT_REG_VERDICT && len(imm.Data) == 0 {
+		v := &expr.Verdict{}
+		if err := expr.Unmarshal(inet, data, v); err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		return v, nil
+	}
+	return e, nil
+}
diff --git a/internal/nftables/snapshot_test.go b/internal/nftables/snapshot_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3098119
--- /dev/null
+++ b/internal/nftables/snapshot_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,245 @@
+package nftables
+
+import (
+	"bytes"
+	"encoding/binary"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"reflect"
+	"testing"
+
+	"github.com/google/nftables"
+	"github.com/google/nftables/expr"
+	"github.com/mdlayher/netlink"
+	"golang.org/x/sys/unix"
+
+	"git.unkin.net/unkin/tomswall/internal/config"
+)
+
+func TestSnapshotRulesRoundTrip(t *testing.T) {
+	exprs := []expr.Any{
+		&expr.Meta{Key: expr.MetaKeyL4PROTO, Register: 1},
+		&expr.Cmp{Op: expr.CmpOpEq, Register: 1, Data: []byte{unix.IPPROTO_TCP}},
+		&expr.Payload{DestRegister: 1, Base: expr.PayloadBaseTransportHeader, Offset: 2, Len: 2},
+		&expr.Cmp{Op: expr.CmpOpEq, Register: 1, Data: []byte{0, 22}},
+		&expr.Ct{Register: 1, Key: expr.CtKeySTATE},
+		&expr.Notrack{},
+		&expr.Verdict{Kind: expr.VerdictAccept},
+	}
+	state := &FirewallState{Rules: map[string][]ManagedRule{
+		"input": {{Chain: "input", Tag: "ssh", Exprs: exprs}, {Chain: "input", Tag: "drop", Exprs: []expr.Any{&expr.Verdict{Kind: expr.VerdictDrop}}}},
+	}}
+
+	rules, err := encodeState(state)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	b, err := json.Marshal(&Snapshot{Table: "tomswall", Present: true, Rules: rules,
+		Policies: map[string]nftables.ChainPolicy{"input": nftables.ChainPolicyAccept}})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	var snap Snapshot
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(b, &snap); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if snap.Policies["input"] != nftables.ChainPolicyAccept {
+		t.Errorf("policy lost: %v", snap.Policies)
+	}
+	got, err := decodeState(snap.Rules)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	in := got.Rules["input"]
+	if len(in) != 2 || in[0].Tag != "ssh" || in[1].Tag != "drop" {
+		t.Fatalf("rules/order lost: %+v", in)
+	}
+	if !reflect.DeepEqual(in[0].Exprs, exprs) {
+		t.Errorf("exprs changed:\n got %#v\nwant %#v", in[0].Exprs, exprs)
+	}
+	if _, ok := in[1].Exprs[0].(*expr.Verdict); !ok {
+		t.Errorf("verdict decoded as %T", in[1].Exprs[0])
+	}
+}
+
+func TestEnsureChainsPolicyOverride(t *testing.T) {
+	e := testEngine(t, nil)
+	chains := e.ensureChains(e.ensureTable(), map[string]nftables.ChainPolicy{"input": nftables.ChainPolicyAccept})
+	if *chains["input"].Policy != nftables.ChainPolicyAccept {
+		t.Error("input policy not overridden")
+	}
+	if *chains["forward"].Policy != nftables.ChainPolicyDrop {
+		t.Error("forward policy should keep its default")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestSnapshotAndRestoreAbsentTable(t *testing.T) {
+	tablePresent := false
+	var sent []netlink.HeaderType
+	e := testEngine(t, func(req []netlink.Message) ([]netlink.Message, error) {
+		for _, m := range req {
+			sent = append(sent, m.Header.Type)
+			if m.Header.Type == nftType(unix.NFT_MSG_GETTABLE) && tablePresent {
+				data := []byte{inet, 0, 0, 0}
+				attrs, _ := netlink.MarshalAttributes([]netlink.Attribute{{Type: unix.NFTA_TABLE_NAME, Data: []byte("tomswall\x00")}})
+				return []netlink.Message{{Header: netlink.Header{Type: nftType(unix.NFT_MSG_NEWTABLE), Sequence: m.Header.Sequence}, Data: append(data, attrs...)}}, nil
+			}
+		}
+		return nil, nil
+	})
+
+	snap, err := e.Snapshot()
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if snap.Present || snap.Table != "tomswall" {
+		t.Fatalf("want absent tomswall snapshot, got %+v", snap)
+	}
+
+	// The try created the table; restoring the absent snapshot deletes it.
+	tablePresent = true
+	sent = nil
+	if err := e.Restore(snap); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	deleted := false
+	for _, ht := range sent {
+		deleted = deleted || ht == nftType(unix.NFT_MSG_DELTABLE)
+	}
+	if !deleted {
+		t.Errorf("table not deleted; sent %v", sent)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestRestorePresentTable(t *testing.T) {
+	want := []SnapshotRule{}
+	for _, r := range []ManagedRule{
+		{Tag: "ssh", Exprs: []expr.Any{&expr.Ct{Register: 1, Key: expr.CtKeySTATE}, &expr.Verdict{Kind: expr.VerdictAccept}}},
+		{Tag: "drop", Exprs: []expr.Any{&expr.Verdict{Kind: expr.VerdictDrop}}},
+	} {
+		enc, err := encodeState(&FirewallState{Rules: map[string][]ManagedRule{"input": {r}}})
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		want = append(want, enc["input"]...)
+	}
+	snap := &Snapshot{Table: "tomswall", Present: true,
+		Policies: map[string]nftables.ChainPolicy{"input": nftables.ChainPolicyAccept},
+		Rules:    map[string][]SnapshotRule{"input": want}}
+
+	// Live state: the tried ruleset left one managed rule (handle 7) in input.
+	attrs := func(a ...netlink.Attribute) []byte {
+		b, err := netlink.MarshalAttributes(a)
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		return append([]byte{inet, 0, 0, 0}, b...)
+	}
+	handle := make([]byte, 8)
+	binary.BigEndian.PutUint64(handle, 7)
+	var batch []netlink.Message
+	e := testEngine(t, func(req []netlink.Message) ([]netlink.Message, error) {
+		if len(req) == 0 {
+			return nil, nil
+		}
+		reply := func(msg int, data []byte) ([]netlink.Message, error) {
+			return []netlink.Message{{Header: netlink.Header{Type: nftType(msg), Sequence: req[0].Header.Sequence}, Data: data}}, nil
+		}
+		switch req[0].Header.Type {
+		case nftType(unix.NFT_MSG_GETTABLE):
+			return reply(unix.NFT_MSG_NEWTABLE, attrs(netlink.Attribute{Type: unix.NFTA_TABLE_NAME, Data: []byte("tomswall\x00")}))
+		case nftType(unix.NFT_MSG_GETCHAIN):
+			return reply(unix.NFT_MSG_NEWCHAIN, attrs(
+				netlink.Attribute{Type: unix.NFTA_CHAIN_TABLE, Data: []byte("tomswall\x00")},
+				netlink.Attribute{Type: unix.NFTA_CHAIN_NAME, Data: []byte("input\x00")}))
+		case nftType(unix.NFT_MSG_GETRULE):
+			return reply(unix.NFT_MSG_NEWRULE, attrs(
+				netlink.Attribute{Type: unix.NFTA_RULE_TABLE, Data: []byte("tomswall\x00")},
+				netlink.Attribute{Type: unix.NFTA_RULE_CHAIN, Data: []byte("input\x00")},
+				netlink.Attribute{Type: unix.NFTA_RULE_HANDLE, Data: handle},
+				netlink.Attribute{Type: unix.NFTA_RULE_USERDATA, Data: []byte("tried")}))
+		}
+		batch = append(batch, req...)
+		return nil, nil
+	})
+
+	if err := e.Restore(snap); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+
+	var deleted []uint64
+	var added []SnapshotRule
+	policy := map[string]uint32{}
+	for _, m := range batch {
+		ad, err := netlink.NewAttributeDecoder(m.Data[4:])
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		ad.ByteOrder = binary.BigEndian
+		var name string
+		var r SnapshotRule
+		var h uint64
+		var pol *uint32
+		for ad.Next() {
+			switch {
+			case m.Header.Type == nftType(unix.NFT_MSG_NEWCHAIN) && ad.Type() == unix.NFTA_CHAIN_NAME:
+				name = ad.String()
+			case m.Header.Type == nftType(unix.NFT_MSG_NEWCHAIN) && ad.Type() == unix.NFTA_CHAIN_POLICY:
+				v := ad.Uint32()
+				pol = &v
+			case m.Header.Type == nftType(unix.NFT_MSG_DELRULE) && ad.Type() == unix.NFTA_RULE_HANDLE:
+				h = ad.Uint64()
+			case m.Header.Type == nftType(unix.NFT_MSG_NEWRULE) && ad.Type() == unix.NFTA_RULE_USERDATA:
+				r.Tag = string(ad.Bytes())
+			case m.Header.Type == nftType(unix.NFT_MSG_NEWRULE) && ad.Type() == unix.NFTA_RULE_EXPRESSIONS:
+				ad.Nested(func(nad *netlink.AttributeDecoder) error {
+					for nad.Next() {
+						r.Exprs = append(r.Exprs, bytes.Clone(nad.Bytes()))
+					}
+					return nil
+				})
+			}
+		}
+		switch m.Header.Type {
+		case nftType(unix.NFT_MSG_NEWCHAIN):
+			if pol != nil {
+				policy[name] = *pol
+			}
+		case nftType(unix.NFT_MSG_DELRULE):
+			deleted = append(deleted, h)
+		case nftType(unix.NFT_MSG_NEWRULE):
+			added = append(added, r)
+		}
+	}
+
+	if !reflect.DeepEqual(deleted, []uint64{7}) {
+		t.Errorf("deleted handles %v, want [7]", deleted)
+	}
+	if !reflect.DeepEqual(added, want) {
+		t.Errorf("restored rules differ from snapshot:\n got %+v\nwant %+v", added, want)
+	}
+	if policy["input"] != uint32(nftables.ChainPolicyAccept) || policy["forward"] != uint32(nftables.ChainPolicyDrop) {
+		t.Errorf("chain policies %v: input must be restored to accept, forward keep drop", policy)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestRestoreRejectsOtherTable(t *testing.T) {
+	e := testEngine(t, nil)
+	if err := e.Restore(&Snapshot{Table: "other"}); err == nil {
+		t.Error("expected table mismatch error")
+	}
+}
+
+func nftType(msg int) netlink.HeaderType {
+	return netlink.HeaderType(unix.NFNL_SUBSYS_NFTABLES<<8 | msg)
+}
+
+func testEngine(t *testing.T, dial func([]netlink.Message) ([]netlink.Message, error)) *Engine {
+	if dial == nil {
+		dial = func([]netlink.Message) ([]netlink.Message, error) { return nil, nil }
+	}
+	conn, err := nftables.New(nftables.WithTestDial(dial))
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	return &Engine{cfg: &config.Config{Settings: config.Settings{TableName: "tomswall"}}, conn: conn}
+}
diff --git a/internal/tryapply/tryapply.go b/internal/tryapply/tryapply.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c0e8fb4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/internal/tryapply/tryapply.go
@@ -0,0 +1,200 @@
+// Package tryapply keeps the state of a pending 'tomswall try' on disk so the
+// revert survives the try process, backed by a transient systemd timer.
+package tryapply
+
+import (
+	"crypto/rand"
+	"encoding/hex"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"errors"
+	"fmt"
+	"os"
+	"os/exec"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"strings"
+	"syscall"
+	"time"
+
+	"git.unkin.net/unkin/tomswall/internal/config"
+	"git.unkin.net/unkin/tomswall/internal/nftables"
+)
+
+// Unit is the transient systemd unit that reverts an unconfirmed try.
+const Unit = "tomswall-try-revert"
+
+var (
+	// Dir holds the lock and the pending snapshot.
+	Dir = "/var/lib/tomswall"
+	// run executes a systemd command; replaced in tests.
+	run = func(name string, args ...string) error {
+		if out, err := exec.Command(name, args...).CombinedOutput(); err != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("%s %s: %w: %s", name, strings.Join(args, " "), err, strings.TrimSpace(string(out)))
+		}
+		return nil
+	}
+	// restore rolls the live table back to a snapshot; replaced in tests.
+	restore = func(s *nftables.Snapshot) error {
+		engine, err := nftables.NewEngine(&config.Config{Settings: config.Settings{TableName: s.Table}})
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		return engine.Restore(s)
+	}
+)
+
+// ErrPending means a try awaits confirmation; nothing else may apply meanwhile.
+var ErrPending = errors.New("a 'tomswall try' is pending; run 'tomswall confirm' to keep it or 'tomswall revert' to restore the previous ruleset (also the recovery if an automatic revert failed)")
+
+type pending struct {
+	ID       string             `json:"id"`
+	PID      int                `json:"pid"`
+	Snapshot *nftables.Snapshot `json:"snapshot"`
+}
+
+func snapshotPath() string { return filepath.Join(Dir, "try-snapshot.json") }
+
+// Acquire takes the exclusive try lock, failing with ErrPending while a try is unconfirmed.
+func Acquire() (unlock func(), err error) {
+	unlock, err = lock()
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	if _, err := os.Stat(snapshotPath()); err == nil {
+		unlock()
+		return nil, ErrPending
+	}
+	return unlock, nil
+}
+
+func lock() (func(), error) {
+	if err := os.MkdirAll(Dir, 0o755); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	f, err := os.OpenFile(filepath.Join(Dir, "try.lock"), os.O_CREATE|os.O_RDWR, 0o600)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	if err := syscall.Flock(int(f.Fd()), syscall.LOCK_EX); err != nil {
+		f.Close()
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("locking %s: %w", f.Name(), err)
+	}
+	return func() { f.Close() }, nil
+}
+
+// Arm persists snap and schedules an out-of-process revert after delay,
+// returning the try ID that scopes later reverts to this try.
+// The caller must hold the lock from Acquire.
+func Arm(snap *nftables.Snapshot, pid int, delay time.Duration) (string, error) {
+	raw := make([]byte, 8)
+	if _, err := rand.Read(raw); err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+	id := hex.EncodeToString(raw)
+	b, err := json.Marshal(pending{ID: id, PID: pid, Snapshot: snap})
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+	f, err := os.CreateTemp(Dir, ".try-snapshot-*")
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+	defer os.Remove(f.Name())
+	if _, err := f.Write(b); err != nil {
+		f.Close()
+		return "", err
+	}
+	if err := f.Sync(); err != nil {
+		f.Close()
+		return "", err
+	}
+	if err := f.Close(); err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+	if err := os.Rename(f.Name(), snapshotPath()); err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+
+	exe, err := os.Executable()
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", discardWith(err)
+	}
+	_ = disarm() // a leftover timer from an earlier try would block the unit name
+	if err := run("systemd-run", "--quiet", "--collect", "--unit", Unit,
+		fmt.Sprintf("--on-active=%ds", int(delay.Round(time.Second).Seconds())), exe, "revert", "--id", id); err != nil {
+		return "", discardWith(fmt.Errorf("arming revert timer: %w", err))
+	}
+	return id, nil
+}
+
+// Discard drops the pending snapshot and timer without restoring. The caller must hold the lock.
+func Discard() error {
+	_ = disarm()
+	if err := os.Remove(snapshotPath()); err != nil && !os.IsNotExist(err) {
+		return err
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func discardWith(err error) error {
+	if derr := Discard(); derr != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("%w (discarding snapshot: %v)", err, derr)
+	}
+	return err
+}
+
+func disarm() error {
+	return run("systemctl", "stop", Unit+".timer")
+}
+
+// Confirm keeps the tried ruleset. ok is false when no try was pending, i.e.
+// it was already reverted; pid is the waiting try process, if any.
+func Confirm() (pid int, ok bool, err error) {
+	unlock, err := lock()
+	if err != nil {
+		return 0, false, err
+	}
+	defer unlock()
+	p, err := load()
+	if err != nil || p == nil {
+		return 0, false, err
+	}
+	return p.PID, true, Discard()
+}
+
+// Revert restores the pending snapshot. A non-empty id only reverts that try,
+// so a stale timer cannot undo a newer one. reverted is false when nothing
+// matching was pending (already confirmed or reverted). A failed restore keeps
+// the snapshot so 'tomswall revert' can retry.
+func Revert(id string) (reverted bool, err error) {
+	unlock, err := lock()
+	if err != nil {
+		return false, err
+	}
+	defer unlock()
+	p, err := load()
+	if err != nil || p == nil || (id != "" && p.ID != id) {
+		return false, err
+	}
+	if err := restore(p.Snapshot); err != nil {
+		return false, fmt.Errorf("restoring snapshot: %w", err)
+	}
+	return true, Discard()
+}
+
+func load() (*pending, error) {
+	b, err := os.ReadFile(snapshotPath())
+	if os.IsNotExist(err) {
+		return nil, nil
+	}
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	var p pending
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(b, &p); err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("parsing %s: %w", snapshotPath(), err)
+	}
+	if p.Snapshot == nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("%s has no snapshot", snapshotPath())
+	}
+	return &p, nil
+}
diff --git a/internal/tryapply/tryapply_test.go b/internal/tryapply/tryapply_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5b00f2c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/internal/tryapply/tryapply_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,211 @@
+package tryapply
+
+import (
+	"errors"
+	"os"
+	"reflect"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+
+	"git.unkin.net/unkin/tomswall/internal/nftables"
+)
+
+func setup(t *testing.T) *[]string {
+	t.Helper()
+	Dir = t.TempDir()
+	var cmds []string
+	orig := run
+	run = func(name string, args ...string) error {
+		cmds = append(cmds, name+" "+strings.Join(args, " "))
+		return nil
+	}
+	t.Cleanup(func() { run = orig })
+	return &cmds
+}
+
+func arm(t *testing.T, snap *nftables.Snapshot) string {
+	t.Helper()
+	unlock, err := Acquire()
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	defer unlock()
+	id, err := Arm(snap, 4242, 90*time.Second)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	return id
+}
+
+func TestArmPersistsSnapshotAndTimer(t *testing.T) {
+	cmds := setup(t)
+	snap := &nftables.Snapshot{Table: "tomswall", Present: true,
+		Rules: map[string][]nftables.SnapshotRule{"input": {{Tag: "ssh", Exprs: [][]byte{{1, 2, 3}}}}}}
+	id := arm(t, snap)
+
+	info, err := os.Stat(snapshotPath())
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if info.Mode().Perm() != 0o600 {
+		t.Errorf("snapshot mode %v, want 0600", info.Mode().Perm())
+	}
+	p, err := load()
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if p.ID != id || id == "" || p.PID != 4242 || !reflect.DeepEqual(p.Snapshot, snap) {
+		t.Errorf("round trip mismatch: %+v", p)
+	}
+	last := (*cmds)[len(*cmds)-1]
+	if !strings.HasPrefix(last, "systemd-run ") || !strings.Contains(last, "--unit "+Unit) ||
+		!strings.Contains(last, "--on-active=90s") || !strings.HasSuffix(last, " revert --id "+id) {
+		t.Errorf("unexpected arm command %q", last)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestAbsentTableSnapshotRoundTrip(t *testing.T) {
+	setup(t)
+	arm(t, &nftables.Snapshot{Table: "tomswall"})
+	p, err := load()
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if p.Snapshot.Present || p.Snapshot.Table != "tomswall" {
+		t.Errorf("absent table not preserved: %+v", p.Snapshot)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestAcquireRefusesWhilePending(t *testing.T) {
+	setup(t)
+	arm(t, &nftables.Snapshot{Table: "tomswall"})
+	_, err := Acquire()
+	if !errors.Is(err, ErrPending) {
+		t.Fatalf("second try: got %v, want ErrPending", err)
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "tomswall revert") {
+		t.Errorf("ErrPending does not name the recovery: %v", err)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestArmFailureDiscardsSnapshot(t *testing.T) {
+	setup(t)
+	run = func(name string, args ...string) error {
+		if name == "systemd-run" {
+			return errors.New("no systemd")
+		}
+		return nil
+	}
+	unlock, err := Acquire()
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	defer unlock()
+	if _, err := Arm(&nftables.Snapshot{Table: "tomswall"}, 1, time.Minute); err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("expected arm error")
+	}
+	if _, err := os.Stat(snapshotPath()); !os.IsNotExist(err) {
+		t.Error("snapshot left behind without a revert timer")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestConfirmPendingDisarms(t *testing.T) {
+	cmds := setup(t)
+	arm(t, &nftables.Snapshot{Table: "tomswall"})
+	pid, ok, err := Confirm()
+	if err != nil || !ok || pid != 4242 {
+		t.Fatalf("Confirm = %d, %v, %v", pid, ok, err)
+	}
+	if _, err := os.Stat(snapshotPath()); !os.IsNotExist(err) {
+		t.Error("snapshot not removed")
+	}
+	if last := (*cmds)[len(*cmds)-1]; last != "systemctl stop "+Unit+".timer" {
+		t.Errorf("timer not stopped, last command %q", last)
+	}
+	unlock, err := Acquire()
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("new try refused after confirm: %v", err)
+	}
+	unlock()
+}
+
+func TestConfirmAfterRevertFails(t *testing.T) {
+	setup(t)
+	_, ok, err := Confirm()
+	if err != nil || ok {
+		t.Fatalf("Confirm with nothing pending = %v, %v; want not ok", ok, err)
+	}
+	reverted, err := Revert("")
+	if err != nil || reverted {
+		t.Fatalf("Revert with nothing pending = %v, %v", reverted, err)
+	}
+}
+
+func stubRestore(t *testing.T, err error) *[]*nftables.Snapshot {
+	t.Helper()
+	var got []*nftables.Snapshot
+	orig := restore
+	restore = func(s *nftables.Snapshot) error {
+		got = append(got, s)
+		return err
+	}
+	t.Cleanup(func() { restore = orig })
+	return &got
+}
+
+func TestRevertPendingRestoresAndDisarms(t *testing.T) {
+	cmds := setup(t)
+	restored := stubRestore(t, nil)
+	snap := &nftables.Snapshot{Table: "tomswall", Present: true,
+		Rules: map[string][]nftables.SnapshotRule{"input": {{Tag: "ssh", Exprs: [][]byte{{1}}}}}}
+	id := arm(t, snap)
+
+	reverted, err := Revert(id)
+	if err != nil || !reverted {
+		t.Fatalf("Revert = %v, %v", reverted, err)
+	}
+	if len(*restored) != 1 || !reflect.DeepEqual((*restored)[0], snap) {
+		t.Errorf("restored %+v, want the armed snapshot", *restored)
+	}
+	if _, err := os.Stat(snapshotPath()); !os.IsNotExist(err) {
+		t.Error("snapshot not removed")
+	}
+	if last := (*cmds)[len(*cmds)-1]; last != "systemctl stop "+Unit+".timer" {
+		t.Errorf("timer not stopped, last command %q", last)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestRevertFailureKeepsSnapshot(t *testing.T) {
+	setup(t)
+	boom := errors.New("netlink down")
+	stubRestore(t, boom)
+	id := arm(t, &nftables.Snapshot{Table: "tomswall"})
+
+	if _, err := Revert(id); !errors.Is(err, boom) {
+		t.Fatalf("Revert error = %v, want %v", err, boom)
+	}
+	if _, err := os.Stat(snapshotPath()); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("snapshot gone after failed revert: %v", err)
+	}
+	if _, err := Acquire(); !errors.Is(err, ErrPending) {
+		t.Errorf("failed revert must keep the try pending, got %v", err)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestRevertStaleIDIgnored(t *testing.T) {
+	setup(t)
+	restored := stubRestore(t, nil)
+	arm(t, &nftables.Snapshot{Table: "tomswall"})
+
+	reverted, err := Revert("stale-try")
+	if err != nil || reverted {
+		t.Fatalf("stale Revert = %v, %v; want no-op", reverted, err)
+	}
+	if len(*restored) != 0 {
+		t.Error("stale timer restored a newer try's snapshot")
+	}
+	if _, err := os.Stat(snapshotPath()); err != nil {
+		t.Errorf("newer try's snapshot removed: %v", err)
+	}
+}