diff --git a/cmd/tomswall/main.go b/cmd/tomswall/main.go
index c96516d..cc4563a 100644
--- a/cmd/tomswall/main.go
+++ b/cmd/tomswall/main.go
@@ -35,6 +35,7 @@ Use 'tomswall migrate' to convert a shorewall config to YAML.`,
 		applyCmd(),
 		tryCmd(),
 		confirmCmd(),
+		revertCmd(),
 		planCmd(),
 		validateCmd(),
 		statusCmd(),
diff --git a/cmd/tomswall/try.go b/cmd/tomswall/try.go
index 543d8d8..0af4a92 100644
--- a/cmd/tomswall/try.go
+++ b/cmd/tomswall/try.go
@@ -1,31 +1,32 @@
 package main
 
 import (
-	"context"
 	"fmt"
 	"os"
 	"os/signal"
-	"path/filepath"
-	"strconv"
 	"strings"
 	"syscall"
 	"time"
 
 	"github.com/spf13/cobra"
 
-	"git.unkin.net/unkin/tomswall/internal/agent"
+	"git.unkin.net/unkin/tomswall/internal/config"
+	"git.unkin.net/unkin/tomswall/internal/nftables"
+	"git.unkin.net/unkin/tomswall/internal/tryapply"
 )
 
-var tryPIDFile = "/run/tomswall/try.pid"
+// 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, applies the configuration, then waits
-for 'tomswall confirm'. On timeout, interrupt or hangup the snapshot is restored
-atomically. Confirm from a new session to prove new connections still work.`,
+		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 {
@@ -39,23 +40,16 @@ atomically. Confirm from a new session to prove new connections still work.`,
 			abort := make(chan os.Signal, 1)
 			signal.Notify(abort, syscall.SIGHUP, syscall.SIGINT, syscall.SIGTERM)
 
-			if err := os.MkdirAll(filepath.Dir(tryPIDFile), 0o755); err != nil {
+			applied, err := tryApply(cfg, timeout+revertGrace)
+			if err != nil || !applied {
 				return err
 			}
-			if err := os.WriteFile(tryPIDFile, []byte(strconv.Itoa(os.Getpid())), 0o644); err != nil {
-				return err
-			}
-			defer os.Remove(tryPIDFile)
-
-			revert, err := agent.EngineApplier{}.Apply(context.Background(), cfg)
-			if err != nil {
-				return fmt.Errorf("applying changes: %w", err)
-			}
 			fmt.Printf("Applied. Run 'tomswall confirm' within %s or the previous ruleset is restored.\n", timeout)
-			if err := confirmOrRevert(confirm, abort, timeout, revert); err != nil {
+			msg, err := confirmOrRevert(confirm, abort, timeout, tryapply.Revert)
+			if err != nil {
 				return err
 			}
-			fmt.Println("Confirmed.")
+			fmt.Println(msg)
 			return nil
 		},
 	}
@@ -63,20 +57,67 @@ atomically. Confirm from a new session to prove new connections still work.`,
 	return cmd
 }
 
+func tryApply(cfg *config.Config, fallback time.Duration) (bool, error) {
+	unlock, err := tryapply.Acquire()
+	if err != nil {
+		return false, err
+	}
+	defer unlock()
+
+	engine, err := nftables.NewEngine(cfg)
+	if err != nil {
+		return false, fmt.Errorf("initializing nftables: %w", err)
+	}
+	changes, err := engine.Plan()
+	if err != nil {
+		return false, fmt.Errorf("computing changes: %w", err)
+	}
+	if changes.Empty() {
+		fmt.Println("No changes needed — firewall is up to date.")
+		return false, nil
+	}
+	fmt.Println(changes.Summary())
+
+	snap, err := engine.Snapshot()
+	if err != nil {
+		return false, fmt.Errorf("snapshotting ruleset: %w", err)
+	}
+	if err := tryapply.Arm(snap, os.Getpid(), fallback); err != nil {
+		return false, err
+	}
+	if err := engine.Apply(changes); err != nil {
+		if derr := tryapply.Discard(); derr != nil {
+			err = fmt.Errorf("%w (discarding snapshot: %v)", err, derr)
+		}
+		return false, fmt.Errorf("applying changes: %w", err)
+	}
+	return true, nil
+}
+
 // confirmOrRevert waits for confirm; on abort or timeout it runs revert.
-func confirmOrRevert(confirm, abort <-chan os.Signal, timeout time.Duration, revert func() error) error {
+// 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 nil
+		return "Confirmed.", nil
 	case s := <-abort:
 		reason = "interrupted by " + s.String()
 	case <-time.After(timeout):
 	}
-	if err := revert(); err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("%s; revert failed: %w", reason, err)
+	select {
+	case <-confirm:
+		return "Confirmed.", nil
+	default:
 	}
-	return fmt.Errorf("%s: previous ruleset restored", reason)
+	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 {
@@ -84,27 +125,38 @@ func confirmCmd() *cobra.Command {
 		Use:   "confirm",
 		Short: "Keep the configuration applied by a pending 'tomswall try'",
 		RunE: func(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
-			b, err := os.ReadFile(tryPIDFile)
-			if os.IsNotExist(err) {
-				return fmt.Errorf("no pending 'tomswall try'")
-			}
+			pid, ok, err := tryapply.Confirm()
 			if err != nil {
 				return err
 			}
-			pid, err := strconv.Atoi(strings.TrimSpace(string(b)))
-			if err != nil {
-				return fmt.Errorf("parsing %s: %w", tryPIDFile, err)
+			if !ok {
+				return fmt.Errorf("no pending 'tomswall try': it was already reverted or confirmed")
 			}
-			// A stale pidfile must not signal an unrelated process.
-			comm, err := os.ReadFile(fmt.Sprintf("/proc/%d/comm", pid))
-			if err != nil || strings.TrimSpace(string(comm)) != "tomswall" {
-				return fmt.Errorf("no pending 'tomswall try' (stale %s)", tryPIDFile)
-			}
-			if err := syscall.Kill(pid, syscall.SIGUSR1); err != nil {
-				return err
+			// 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 {
+	return &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()
+			if err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
+			if !reverted {
+				fmt.Println("No pending 'tomswall try'.")
+				return nil
+			}
+			fmt.Println("Previous ruleset restored.")
+			return nil
+		},
+	}
+}
diff --git a/cmd/tomswall/try_test.go b/cmd/tomswall/try_test.go
index 9652eb5..a8f99f8 100644
--- a/cmd/tomswall/try_test.go
+++ b/cmd/tomswall/try_test.go
@@ -10,41 +10,53 @@ import (
 
 func TestConfirmOrRevert(t *testing.T) {
 	tests := []struct {
-		name       string
-		confirm    bool
-		abort      bool
-		revertErr  error
-		wantRevert bool
-		wantErr    bool
+		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) {
-			confirm := make(chan os.Signal, 1)
-			abort := make(chan os.Signal, 1)
-			if tt.confirm {
-				confirm <- syscall.SIGUSR1
-			}
-			if tt.abort {
-				abort <- syscall.SIGHUP
-			}
-			reverted := false
-			err := confirmOrRevert(confirm, abort, 20*time.Millisecond, func() error {
-				reverted = true
-				return tt.revertErr
-			})
-			if reverted != tt.wantRevert {
-				t.Errorf("reverted = %v, want %v", reverted, tt.wantRevert)
-			}
-			if (err != nil) != tt.wantErr {
-				t.Errorf("err = %v, wantErr %v", err, tt.wantErr)
-			}
-			if tt.revertErr != nil && !errors.Is(err, tt.revertErr) {
-				t.Errorf("revert error not wrapped: %v", err)
+			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/nftables/engine.go b/internal/nftables/engine.go
index 5aba7c1..5311490 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{
@@ -184,34 +192,70 @@ func (e *Engine) readCurrentState() (*FirewallState, error) {
 	return state, nil
 }
 
-// Snapshot is the tomswall table as captured live; a nil state means it was absent.
+// Snapshot is the tomswall table as captured live, serialisable so a revert
+// survives the process that took it.
 type Snapshot struct {
-	state *FirewallState
+	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 &Snapshot{}, err
+		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
 	}
-	return &Snapshot{state: state}, nil
+	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 included.
+// 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.state == nil {
+	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, s.state))
+	return e.apply(restoreChangeSet(current, want), s.Policies)
 }
 
 func policyPtr(p nftables.ChainPolicy) *nftables.ChainPolicy {
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..8eab0a7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/internal/nftables/snapshot_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,131 @@
+package nftables
+
+import (
+	"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 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..e8b5f30
--- /dev/null
+++ b/internal/tryapply/tryapply.go
@@ -0,0 +1,185 @@
+// 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 (
+	"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
+	}
+)
+
+// ErrPending means a try awaits confirmation; nothing else may apply meanwhile.
+var ErrPending = errors.New("a 'tomswall try' is pending; run 'tomswall confirm' or 'tomswall revert'")
+
+type pending struct {
+	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.
+// The caller must hold the lock from Acquire.
+func Arm(snap *nftables.Snapshot, pid int, delay time.Duration) error {
+	b, err := json.Marshal(pending{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"); err != nil {
+		return discardWith(fmt.Errorf("arming revert timer: %w", err))
+	}
+	return 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. reverted is false when nothing was
+// pending (already confirmed or reverted).
+func Revert() (reverted bool, err error) {
+	unlock, err := lock()
+	if err != nil {
+		return false, err
+	}
+	defer unlock()
+	p, err := load()
+	if err != nil || p == nil {
+		return false, err
+	}
+	engine, err := nftables.NewEngine(&config.Config{Settings: config.Settings{TableName: p.Snapshot.Table}})
+	if err != nil {
+		return false, err
+	}
+	if err := engine.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..ab72aa1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/internal/tryapply/tryapply_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,137 @@
+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) {
+	t.Helper()
+	unlock, err := Acquire()
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	defer unlock()
+	if err := Arm(snap, 4242, 90*time.Second); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+}
+
+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}}}}}}
+	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.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") {
+		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"})
+	if _, err := Acquire(); !errors.Is(err, ErrPending) {
+		t.Fatalf("second try: got %v, want ErrPending", 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)
+	}
+}