A snapshot is a collection of build versions (project versions) for the release's projects which are sent sent through the pipeline. As a release progresses, newer versions of projects are assembled to create new snapshots. A release may consist of dozens, or even hundreds or thousands, of snapshots over its lifetime, depending on its size and duration. There are several ways in which snapshots can be created.

By a release manager by explicitly identifying the versions of the projects/packages in the release. See Creating a Snapshot.
By associating a project/package build to the release. As such, once the build completes, the new project version is overlaid on top of the most recent release snapshot to produce a new snapshot.
By promoting an existing build to a release. In this case, a new snapshot is created with the selected project version overlaid.
Using a Continuous Integration trigger (Poll SCM Trigger or Scheduled Build Trigger) to automatically associate the new build with the release.
Using the REST API to submit a build request, and associate it to the release.

All snapshots which reach Completed status are sent to the pipeline for execution, and marked Initiated. Only one snapshot per release can be created (Pending) at a time. However, many snapshots can be executing the pipeline for the same release in parallel.

To view the list of snapshots for the release, edit the release, and click the button.

Column	Description
Snapshot Id	Internal ID of snapshot which is useful with REST API.
Snapshot Name	The system-generated snapshot name.
Description	The description which was given when the snapshot was created.
Status	The current status of the snapshot: Completed - The snapshot was successfully assembled, but has not yet been sent to pipeline for execution. Failed - The snapshot failed to be assembled (which could mean the underlying build failed). *Failed to Initiate* - The snapshot was assembled, but failed to be sent to the pipeline for execution. *Initiated* - The snapshot has been sent to the pipeline for execution. Pending - The snapshot is in the process of being assembled and sent to the pipeline for execution. Initiated is the final status of an snapshot, and its execution in the pipeline is tracked through execution in the dashboard. Only one snapshot for a release is allowed to be Pending at a time. If there is already a pending snapshot, you will see the following warning, and you must wait for it to complete or fail before created another snapshot.
Created On	The date & time on which the snapshot was created.
Created By	The user who created the snapshot. The id will be a system id if the snapshot was created due to a project build associated to the release.
<Stages>	The remaining columns represent the execution detail of the snapshot in the pipeline. For each stage of the pipeline, an icon represents its execution status. If no icon is displayed, the execution has not yet reached that stage. Aborted - The snapshot execution in the pipeline stage was aborted by a user. Failed - The snapshot execution in the pipeline stage failed. *Gates Complete* - The snapshot has completed the gates, but is not running steps yet (e.g. another snapshot is running steps in that stage). Out of Date - The snapshot execution has been superseded by a newer snapshot. Rejected - The snapshot execution has been rejected (via an approval gate) by a user. Running Gates - The snapshot execution is currently running gates in the pipeline stage. *Running Steps* - The snapshot execution is currently running steps in the pipeline stage. *Successful* - The snapshot execution in the pipeline stage has successfully completed.

To view the details of the projects in the snapshot, click on the link in the Snapshot Name column.

Column	Description
Project Name	The name of the project within the snapshot.
Project Version	The version of the project build within the snapshot.
Package Name	The package name for the project build within the snapshot. Only applies to partial deployment projects.
Request All Files	Whether or not the package contains all the files for the project. Only applies to partial deployment projects.
Status	The status of the individual project version within the snapshot. Status are: Pending - the project is has not yet been built for the snapshot. Submitted - the project is currently being built for the snapshot. Completed - the project has been built successfully for the snapshot. Failed - the project has failed to build. Existing - the snapshot is utilizing an already built version of the project. Once the all project versions in the snapshot are Completed or Existing, the snapshot will be Completed, and then sent for pipeline execution (Initiated).
Error Message	The error message of the failed build, if the status is Failed.
Created On	The date and time in which the snapshot was created.
Created By	The user who created the snapshot. The user will be a system user if the snapshot was created via a project build associated to the release, as multiple user may have contributed to it.