diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index a18212d..5bf38da 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -64,7 +64,10 @@ All notable changes to this project will be documented in this file.
   VS Code commands. Preserve source/history, actor identities, committed state,
   mailbox envelopes and retained logs; reject unfinished handlers, pause runnable
   actors on save and restore their scheduling eligibility with fresh incarnations.
-  Snapshot files are server-local and never overwrite existing destinations.
+  Snapshot files are server-local; replacement requires explicit authorization
+  and is atomic.
+- Atomic snapshot replacement with `save --overwrite`; VS Code prompts before
+  replacing an existing server-local snapshot.
 
 - Native VS Code debugger attachment to failed actors for retained-state,
   reserved-message and failure inspection, plus DAP exception details for both
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 2c75c06..91d72f4 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -86,6 +86,7 @@ command history are session-local and are not restored on reconnect.
 
 ```sh
 cargo run -p runa-cli -- save /path/to/image.runa.json
+cargo run -p runa-cli -- save --overwrite /path/to/image.runa.json
 cargo run -p runa-cli -- restore /path/to/image.runa.json
 ```
 
@@ -104,9 +105,12 @@ starting a fresh image. Without either option, startup loads the bundled counter
 source as before. Restored actors follow the same status rules as live restore;
 the server does not execute messages until scheduler ticks are requested.
 
-The REPL also accepts `save <file>` and `restore <file>`. VS Code provides
+The REPL also accepts `save <file>`, `save --overwrite <file>`, and
+`restore <file>`. VS Code provides
 **Runa: Save Image...** and **Runa: Restore Image...**. Paths refer to the
-server's filesystem, not the client's. Saving requires a new destination file.
+server's filesystem, not the client's. Saving refuses an existing destination
+unless overwrite is explicitly enabled; VS Code asks before replacing one.
+Replacement atomically swaps in a fully written and synced snapshot.
 The server captures all actors at a handler boundary and leaves runnable actors
 paused after a successful save. Saving is rejected without changing the image
 if any handler is unfinished, including paused or awaiting execution.
diff --git a/crates/runa-cli/src/main.rs b/crates/runa-cli/src/main.rs
index 0d11455..7a323cf 100644
--- a/crates/runa-cli/src/main.rs
+++ b/crates/runa-cli/src/main.rs
@@ -226,8 +226,13 @@ struct Args {
 
 #[derive(Debug, clap::Subcommand)]
 enum CliCommand {
-    /// Save the image to a new server-local file and pause runnable actors.
-    Save { file: String },
+    /// Save the image to a server-local file and pause runnable actors.
+    Save {
+        /// Atomically replace an existing destination file.
+        #[arg(long)]
+        overwrite: bool,
+        file: String,
+    },
     /// Replace the image from a server-local file; resume previously runnable actors.
     Restore { file: String },
     /// Replace committed state on a paused or failed actor without active execution.
@@ -319,7 +324,7 @@ impl CliCommand {
             })
         };
         Ok(match self {
-            Self::Save { file } => Command::SaveImage { file },
+            Self::Save { file, overwrite } => Command::SaveImage { file, overwrite },
             Self::Restore { file } => Command::RestoreImage { file },
             Self::SetState { actor, state: json } => {
                 edit_request(actor_ref(&actor)?, Some(parse_value(&json, &state)?), None)?
@@ -610,13 +615,28 @@ fn execute_line<W: Write>(
         }
         "help" => print_help(output),
         "save" | "restore" => {
-            let [file] = args else {
-                writeln!(output, "error: usage: {command} <server-local-file>")?;
+            let overwrite = command == "save" && args.contains(&"--overwrite");
+            let positional: Vec<_> = args
+                .iter()
+                .copied()
+                .filter(|arg| *arg != "--overwrite")
+                .collect();
+            let [file] = positional.as_slice() else {
+                writeln!(
+                    output,
+                    "error: usage: {command} {}<server-local-file>",
+                    if command == "save" {
+                        "[--overwrite] "
+                    } else {
+                        ""
+                    }
+                )?;
                 return Ok(true);
             };
             let request = if command == "save" {
                 Command::SaveImage {
                     file: (*file).to_owned(),
+                    overwrite,
                 }
             } else {
                 Command::RestoreImage {
@@ -1203,7 +1223,7 @@ fn print_help<W: Write>(output: &mut W) -> io::Result<()> {
          log-level <actor> <trace|debug|info|warn|error|fatal>\n\
          logs [-f|--follow] [actor...]\n\
          sources\n\
-         save <new-server-local-file> (pauses runnable actors; unfinished handlers reject save)\n\
+         save [--overwrite] <server-local-file> (pauses runnable actors; unfinished handlers reject save)\n\
          restore <server-local-file> (replaces image; resumes previously runnable actors)\n\
          write <path> <local-source-file>\n\
          commit <path>\n\
@@ -1284,6 +1304,17 @@ mod tests {
             Command::Spawn { state: Value::Record(values), .. }
                 if values["text"] == Value::String("two  spaces".to_owned())
         ));
+        let args = <Args as clap::Parser>::try_parse_from([
+            "runa-cli",
+            "save",
+            "--overwrite",
+            "/tmp/image.json",
+        ])
+        .unwrap();
+        assert!(matches!(
+            args.command.request(&mut server()).unwrap(),
+            Command::SaveImage { file, overwrite: true } if file == "/tmp/image.json"
+        ));
         for args in [
             vec!["runa-cli"],
             vec!["runa-cli", "actors"],
diff --git a/crates/runa-protocol/src/lib.rs b/crates/runa-protocol/src/lib.rs
index d539fd1..8a0b0f7 100644
--- a/crates/runa-protocol/src/lib.rs
+++ b/crates/runa-protocol/src/lib.rs
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ impl Request {
         }
 
         match &self.command {
-            Command::SaveImage { file } | Command::RestoreImage { file } => {
+            Command::SaveImage { file, .. } | Command::RestoreImage { file } => {
                 if file.trim().is_empty() || file.len() > 4096 || file.contains('\0') {
                     return Err(invalid_request(
                         "snapshot file must be a nonempty server-local path of at most 4096 bytes",
@@ -218,6 +218,8 @@ impl Request {
 pub enum Command {
     SaveImage {
         file: String,
+        #[serde(default)]
+        overwrite: bool,
     },
     RestoreImage {
         file: String,
diff --git a/crates/runa/src/lib.rs b/crates/runa/src/lib.rs
index bff0ae8..c9242bd 100644
--- a/crates/runa/src/lib.rs
+++ b/crates/runa/src/lib.rs
@@ -66,9 +66,11 @@ impl Server {
 
     fn dispatch_command(&mut self, command: Command) -> Result<Reply, ProtocolError> {
         match command {
-            Command::SaveImage { file } => storage::save(&mut self.image, &file)
-                .map(|()| Reply::Acknowledged)
-                .map_err(api_error),
+            Command::SaveImage { file, overwrite } => {
+                storage::save(&mut self.image, &file, overwrite)
+                    .map(|()| Reply::Acknowledged)
+                    .map_err(api_error)
+            }
             Command::RestoreImage { file } => storage::restore(&mut self.image, &file)
                 .map(|()| Reply::Acknowledged)
                 .map_err(api_error),
@@ -577,6 +579,7 @@ fn api_error(error: impl Into<Box<dyn std::error::Error>>) -> ProtocolError {
     let message = error.to_string();
     let code = if message.starts_with("behavior revision conflict:")
         || message.starts_with("source identity conflict:")
+        || message.starts_with("snapshot destination already exists")
     {
         ErrorCode::Conflict
     } else if matches!(
diff --git a/crates/runa/src/storage.rs b/crates/runa/src/storage.rs
index 6d1cbc2..994a317 100644
--- a/crates/runa/src/storage.rs
+++ b/crates/runa/src/storage.rs
@@ -6,7 +6,11 @@ use runa_image_api::{ImageApi, ImageSnapshot};
 
 const MAX_SNAPSHOT_BYTES: u64 = 64 * 1024 * 1024;
 
-pub(crate) fn save(image: &mut ImageApi, file: &str) -> Result<(), Box<dyn std::error::Error>> {
+pub(crate) fn save(
+    image: &mut ImageApi,
+    file: &str,
+    overwrite: bool,
+) -> Result<(), Box<dyn std::error::Error>> {
     let snapshot = image.snapshot()?;
     let bytes = serde_json::to_vec_pretty(&snapshot)?;
     if bytes.len() as u64 > MAX_SNAPSHOT_BYTES {
@@ -20,8 +24,20 @@ pub(crate) fn save(image: &mut ImageApi, file: &str) -> Result<(), Box<dyn std::
     let mut temporary = tempfile::NamedTempFile::new_in(parent)?;
     temporary.write_all(&bytes)?;
     temporary.as_file().sync_all()?;
-    // Never overwrite an existing snapshot, including a symlink.
-    temporary.persist_noclobber(path)?;
+    if overwrite {
+        temporary.persist(path).map_err(|error| error.error)?;
+    } else {
+        temporary.persist_noclobber(path).map_err(|error| {
+            if error.error.kind() == std::io::ErrorKind::AlreadyExists {
+                std::io::Error::new(
+                    std::io::ErrorKind::AlreadyExists,
+                    "snapshot destination already exists; explicitly enable overwrite",
+                )
+            } else {
+                error.error
+            }
+        })?;
+    }
     File::open(parent)?.sync_all()?;
     image.pause_after_save()?;
     Ok(())
@@ -73,7 +89,7 @@ mod tests {
         let current = image.source("actors/probe").unwrap().source_id;
         image.write_source("actors/probe", Some(current), "invalid working source")?;
         let before = image.inspect(running)?;
-        save(&mut image, file)?;
+        save(&mut image, file, false)?;
         assert_eq!(image.inspect(running)?.status, Status::Paused);
         let mut restored = ImageApi::new();
         restore(&mut restored, file)?;
@@ -129,7 +145,7 @@ mod tests {
         image.send(actor, Value::Integer(1))?;
         image.tick(1, NonZeroUsize::new(1).unwrap());
         assert!(
-            save(&mut image, file)
+            save(&mut image, file, false)
                 .unwrap_err()
                 .to_string()
                 .contains("unfinished")
@@ -137,19 +153,74 @@ mod tests {
         assert!(!path.exists());
         assert!(image.inspect(actor)?.execution.is_some());
         image.pause(actor)?;
-        assert!(save(&mut image, file).is_err());
+        assert!(save(&mut image, file, false).is_err());
         image.resume(actor)?;
         image.tick(1, NonZeroUsize::new(1000).unwrap());
         std::fs::write(&path, "existing snapshot")?;
-        assert!(save(&mut image, file).is_err());
+        assert!(save(&mut image, file, false).is_err());
         assert_eq!(std::fs::read_to_string(&path)?, "existing snapshot");
         assert_eq!(image.inspect(actor)?.status, Status::Idle);
         let missing = dir.path().join("missing/image.json");
-        assert!(save(&mut image, missing.to_str().unwrap()).is_err());
+        assert!(save(&mut image, missing.to_str().unwrap(), false).is_err());
         assert_eq!(image.inspect(actor)?.status, Status::Idle);
         Ok(())
     }
 
+    #[test]
+    fn overwrite_atomically_replaces_snapshots_only_after_boundary_validation()
+    -> Result<(), Box<dyn std::error::Error>> {
+        let dir = tempfile::tempdir()?;
+        let path = dir.path().join("replace.json");
+        let file = path.to_str().unwrap();
+        let mut image = ImageApi::new();
+        image.write_source("actors/probe", None, SOURCE)?;
+        let actor = image.spawn(
+            "actors/probe",
+            Value::Integer(3),
+            NonZeroUsize::new(2).unwrap(),
+        )?;
+        save(&mut image, file, false)?;
+        let first = std::fs::read(&path)?;
+        assert!(
+            save(&mut image, file, false)
+                .unwrap_err()
+                .to_string()
+                .contains("already exists")
+        );
+        assert_eq!(std::fs::read(&path)?, first);
+        image.resume(actor)?;
+        image.send(actor, Value::Integer(4))?;
+        image.tick(1, NonZeroUsize::new(1000).unwrap());
+        assert_eq!(image.inspect(actor)?.state, Value::Integer(7));
+        save(&mut image, file, true)?;
+        let second = std::fs::read(&path)?;
+        assert_ne!(first, second);
+        let mut restored = ImageApi::new();
+        restore(&mut restored, file)?;
+        assert_eq!(restored.inspect(actor)?.state, Value::Integer(7));
+        assert_eq!(restored.inspect(actor)?.status, Status::Idle);
+
+        restored.send(actor, Value::Integer(1))?;
+        restored.tick(1, NonZeroUsize::new(1).unwrap());
+        let unfinished = std::fs::read(&path)?;
+        assert!(save(&mut restored, file, true).is_err());
+        assert_eq!(std::fs::read(&path)?, unfinished);
+        assert_eq!(restored.inspect(actor)?.status, Status::Running);
+
+        #[cfg(unix)]
+        {
+            use std::os::unix::fs::symlink;
+            let target = dir.path().join("real.json");
+            let link = dir.path().join("alias.json");
+            std::fs::write(&target, b"preserve target")?;
+            symlink(&target, &link)?;
+            save(&mut image, link.to_str().unwrap(), true)?;
+            assert!(!std::fs::symlink_metadata(&link)?.file_type().is_symlink());
+            assert_eq!(std::fs::read(target)?, b"preserve target");
+        }
+        Ok(())
+    }
+
     #[test]
     fn temporary_and_pending_behaviors_restore_without_overwriting_shared_source()
     -> Result<(), Box<dyn std::error::Error>> {
@@ -181,7 +252,7 @@ mod tests {
         image.r#become(pending, "actors/next")?;
         image.send(actor, Value::Null)?;
         image.send(pending, Value::Null)?;
-        save(&mut image, file)?;
+        save(&mut image, file, false)?;
         restore(&mut image, file)?;
         assert!(image.has_temporary_behavior(actor));
         assert_eq!(image.source("actors/probe"), Some(&source));
diff --git a/crates/runa/tests/local_client.rs b/crates/runa/tests/local_client.rs
index 7710298..abd9336 100644
--- a/crates/runa/tests/local_client.rs
+++ b/crates/runa/tests/local_client.rs
@@ -148,7 +148,10 @@ fn startup_restore_uses_saved_image_without_bundled_sources_and_honors_env_overr
         .dispatch(runa_protocol::Request {
             version: runa_protocol::PROTOCOL_VERSION,
             request_id: "save-startup".into(),
-            command: Command::SaveImage { file: file.into() },
+            command: Command::SaveImage {
+                file: file.into(),
+                overwrite: false,
+            },
         })
         .result
         .unwrap();
diff --git a/docs/protocol.md b/docs/protocol.md
index 3f49772..bf92edb 100644
--- a/docs/protocol.md
+++ b/docs/protocol.md
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ behavior aliases. They exclude the `source/` root and `.rn` extension.
 
 | Operation | Parameters | Reply kind/data |
 | --- | --- | --- |
-| `save_image` | `file`: new server-local destination | `acknowledged` |
+| `save_image` | `file`: server-local destination, `overwrite`: explicit atomic replacement authorization (defaults false) | `acknowledged` |
 | `restore_image` | `file`: server-local snapshot to replace image | `acknowledged` |
 | `list_sources` | none | `sources`: file array |
 | `read_source` | `path` | `source`: file |
@@ -75,8 +75,9 @@ behavior aliases. They exclude the `source/` root and `.rn` extension.
 `save_image` and `restore_image` are additive v5 operations. File paths must be
 nonempty, contain no NUL and fit 4096 UTF-8 bytes. Snapshot contents are stored
 on the server, not transferred through the 1 MiB WebSocket envelope.
-Save refuses existing destinations and unfinished handlers, and leaves runnable
-actors paused on success. Restore validates and recompiles the entire snapshot
+Save refuses existing destinations unless `overwrite` is true, and refuses
+unfinished handlers. An authorized replacement atomically publishes a complete
+synced snapshot. Successful save leaves runnable actors paused. Restore validates and recompiles the entire snapshot
 before replacing an image that has no unfinished handlers. Saved runnable actors
 resume eligibility; previously paused/failed actors retain their status.
 Incarnations advance to invalidate old debugger sessions. Both successful
@@ -94,7 +95,7 @@ uncommitted; compilation failures do not spawn an actor.
 
 Rename preserves history and atomically updates installed/pending actor path
 bindings when `update_actors` is true. In-use paths require that authorization;
-existing destination paths are never overwritten. Delete discards working text
+existing destination paths are never overwritten without explicit authorization. Delete discards working text
 and history and rejects installed/pending users unless all are failed, with an
 explicit stop-first error. Compiled artifacts are retained.
 
diff --git a/docs/runtime.md b/docs/runtime.md
index e126c53..73cb4b0 100644
--- a/docs/runtime.md
+++ b/docs/runtime.md
@@ -458,15 +458,18 @@ validation or compilation failures exit with an error; there is no fallback
 to a fresh image. Without a restore option, the bundled counter source is loaded
 as before. No automatic scheduler ticks or failed-message retries are introduced.
 
-`save <new-file>` and `restore <file>` are available in the CLI/REPL and through
+`save <file>` (optionally `--overwrite`) and `restore <file>` are available in the CLI/REPL and through
 the trusted image protocol. Files are server-local, versioned JSON with a
 64 MiB limit. Saving writes a temporary file in the destination directory,
-syncs its data, publishes it without overwriting an existing destination, and
-syncs the directory. The server serializes snapshot operations with all image
+syncs its data, then publishes it without overwriting by default. An explicit
+overwrite request atomically replaces the destination only after the new
+snapshot is complete and synced. The destination directory is synced afterward.
+The server serializes snapshot operations with all image
 commands; no scheduler tick runs during capture or disk I/O. Successful saves
 leave previously runnable actors paused. Failed capture/write operations do not
-pause them. A final filesystem sync failure is reported explicitly; the
-destination may already exist in that case.
+pause them. A final filesystem sync failure is reported explicitly; after an
+overwrite, the new destination may already be visible even when that final sync
+fails.
 
 Snapshots contain exact source text and implementation identities, the compiler
 fingerprint, working sources (even invalid text), source commit history,
diff --git a/vscode/README.md b/vscode/README.md
index 6359ca3..c2b6484 100644
--- a/vscode/README.md
+++ b/vscode/README.md
@@ -71,7 +71,8 @@ no bundled sources and executes no automatic ticks.
 **Runa: Save Image...** prompts for a new file on the server's filesystem.
 It saves the whole image at a handler boundary and leaves runnable actors
 paused. Unfinished handlers, including paused/awaiting execution, reject saving
-without changing the image. Existing destination files are never overwritten.
+without changing the image. Existing destination files require confirmation
+before atomic replacement.
 Unsaved editor buffers are not part of the image snapshot; save desired source
 or actor edits first.
 
diff --git a/vscode/src/client.ts b/vscode/src/client.ts
index 632d535..1a14c45 100644
--- a/vscode/src/client.ts
+++ b/vscode/src/client.ts
@@ -427,8 +427,8 @@ export class ImageClient {
     await this.request({ operation: "tick", parameters: { ticks, instruction_budget: budget } });
   }
 
-  async saveImage(file: string): Promise<void> {
-    await this.snapshotFile("save_image", file);
+  async saveImage(file: string, overwrite = false): Promise<void> {
+    await this.snapshotFile("save_image", file, overwrite);
   }
 
   async restoreImage(file: string): Promise<void> {
@@ -438,10 +438,13 @@ export class ImageClient {
   private async snapshotFile(
     operation: "save_image" | "restore_image",
     file: string,
+    overwrite = false,
   ): Promise<void> {
     if (!file.trim() || Buffer.byteLength(file, "utf8") > 4096 || file.includes("\0"))
       throw new Error("Snapshot file must be a nonempty server-local path of at most 4096 bytes");
-    await this.request({ operation, parameters: { file } });
+    if (operation === "save_image")
+      await this.request({ operation, parameters: { file, overwrite } });
+    else await this.request({ operation, parameters: { file } });
   }
 
   private request(command: Command): Promise<Reply> {
diff --git a/vscode/src/extension.ts b/vscode/src/extension.ts
index dc88c63..5611e43 100644
--- a/vscode/src/extension.ts
+++ b/vscode/src/extension.ts
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ import {
   SystemMessage,
   LOG_LEVELS,
   LogLevel,
+  ProtocolError,
   StepMode,
 } from "./protocol";
 import { RefreshQueue } from "./refresh";
@@ -836,7 +837,19 @@ export function activate(context: vscode.ExtensionContext): {
       connection.check();
       await connection.client.restoreImage(file);
     } else {
-      await connection.client.saveImage(file);
+      try {
+        await connection.client.saveImage(file);
+      } catch (error) {
+        if (!(error instanceof ProtocolError) || error.code !== "conflict") throw error;
+        const answer = await vscode.window.showWarningMessage(
+          "A snapshot already exists at this server-local path. Replace it atomically?",
+          { modal: true },
+          "Replace Snapshot",
+        );
+        if (answer !== "Replace Snapshot") return;
+        connection.check();
+        await connection.client.saveImage(file, true);
+      }
     }
     connection.check();
     await refresh();
diff --git a/vscode/src/protocol.ts b/vscode/src/protocol.ts
index 2188ca4..fdc88a5 100644
--- a/vscode/src/protocol.ts
+++ b/vscode/src/protocol.ts
@@ -128,7 +128,8 @@ export interface DebuggerSnapshot {
 }
 
 export type Command =
-  | { operation: "save_image" | "restore_image"; parameters: { file: string } }
+  | { operation: "save_image"; parameters: { file: string; overwrite: boolean } }
+  | { operation: "restore_image"; parameters: { file: string } }
   | {
       operation: "set_breakpoints";
       parameters: { actor_ref: string; implementation_id: string; lines: number[] };
diff --git a/vscode/test/client.test.ts b/vscode/test/client.test.ts
index 72d2373..b560c77 100644
--- a/vscode/test/client.test.ts
+++ b/vscode/test/client.test.ts
@@ -27,10 +27,26 @@ test("only numeric loopback endpoints and valid ports are accepted", () => {
 
 test("image snapshot commands validate server-local paths and propagate failures", async (t) => {
   const operations: string[] = [];
+  let firstSave = true;
   const address = await fakeImage(t, (request, socket) => {
     operations.push(request.command.operation);
     assert.equal(request.command.parameters?.file, "/server/image.json");
-    if (request.command.operation === "restore_image")
+    if (request.command.operation === "save_image")
+      assert.equal(typeof request.command.parameters?.overwrite, "boolean");
+    if (
+      request.command.operation === "save_image" &&
+      !request.command.parameters?.overwrite &&
+      firstSave
+    ) {
+      firstSave = false;
+      socket.send(
+        json({
+          version: 5,
+          request_id: request.request_id,
+          result: { Err: { code: "conflict", message: "snapshot destination already exists" } },
+        }),
+      );
+    } else if (request.command.operation === "restore_image")
       socket.send(
         json({
           version: 5,
@@ -47,9 +63,13 @@ test("image snapshot commands validate server-local paths and propagate failures
     await assert.rejects(client.restoreImage(file), /server-local path/);
   }
   assert.deepEqual(operations, []);
-  await client.saveImage("/server/image.json");
+  await assert.rejects(
+    client.saveImage("/server/image.json"),
+    /snapshot destination already exists/,
+  );
+  await client.saveImage("/server/image.json", true);
   await assert.rejects(client.restoreImage("/server/image.json"), /unfinished handler/);
-  assert.deepEqual(operations, ["save_image", "restore_image"]);
+  assert.deepEqual(operations, ["save_image", "save_image", "restore_image"]);
 });
 
 test("source step modes are sent explicitly and retain the default into behavior", async (t) => {