# rpk shadow failover

> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.redpanda.com/llms.txt). Component-specific: [cloud-data-platform-full.txt](https://docs.redpanda.com/cloud-data-platform-full.txt)

---
title: rpk shadow failover
latest-operator-version: v26.2.1
latest-console-tag: v3.9.0
latest-connect-version: 4.104.0
latest-redpanda-tag: v26.2.1
docname: rpk/rpk-shadow/rpk-shadow-failover
page-component-name: cloud-data-platform
page-version: master
page-component-version: master
page-component-title: Cloud
page-relative-src-path: rpk/rpk-shadow/rpk-shadow-failover.adoc
page-edit-url: https://github.com/redpanda-data/cloud-docs/edit/main/modules/reference/pages/rpk/rpk-shadow/rpk-shadow-failover.adoc
page-git-created-date: "2025-12-12"
page-git-modified-date: "2026-05-26"
---

<!-- Source: https://docs.redpanda.com/cloud-data-platform/reference/rpk/rpk-shadow/rpk-shadow-failover.md -->

Failover a Redpanda Shadow Link.

This command performs a failover operation for a Shadow Link. Failover converts shadow topics into regular topics on the shadow cluster, allowing producers and consumers to interact with them directly. After failover, the Shadow Link stops replicating data from the source cluster.

Use the `--all` flag to failover all shadow topics associated with the Shadow Link, or use the `--topic` flag to failover a specific topic. You must specify either `--all` or `--topic`.

The command prompts you to confirm the failover operation. Use the `--no-confirm` flag to skip the confirmation prompt.

> ⚠️ **WARNING**
>
> Failover is a critical operation. After failover, shadow topics become regular topics and replication stops. Ensure your applications are ready to connect to the shadow cluster before performing a failover.

## [](#usage)Usage

```bash
rpk shadow failover <link_name> [flags]
```

## [](#examples)Examples

This section provides examples of how to use `rpk shadow failover`.

Failover all topics for a shadow link.

```bash
rpk shadow failover my-shadow-link --all
```

Failover a specific topic.

```bash
rpk shadow failover my-shadow-link --topic my-topic
```

Failover without confirmation.

```bash
rpk shadow failover my-shadow-link --all --no-confirm
```

## [](#flags)Flags

| Value | Type | Description |
| --- | --- | --- |
| --all | bool | Failover all shadow topics associated with the Shadow Link. |
| --no-confirm | bool | Disable confirmation prompt. |
| --topic | string | Specific topic to failover. If --all is not set, at least a topic must be provided. |

## [](#global-flags)Global flags

| Value | Type | Description |
| --- | --- | --- |
| --config | string | Redpanda or rpk config file; default search paths are ~/.config/rpk/rpk.yaml, $PWD/redpanda.yaml, and /etc/redpanda/redpanda.yaml. |
| -X, --config-opt | stringArray | Override rpk configuration settings; -X help for detail or -X list for terser detail. |
| --ignore-profile | bool | Ignore rpk.yaml and redpanda.yaml; use default settings. |
| --profile | string | rpk profile to use. |
| -v, --verbose | bool | Enable verbose logging. |