---
name: "thin_metadata_unpack"
section: "8"
platform: "linux"
package: "thin-provisioning-tools"
version: "1.3.4-1"
release: "Arch Linux 2026-11-01"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/thin_metadata_unpack"
---

# thin\_metadata\_unpack(8)

unpack thin provisioning binary metadata.

## NAME

**thin\_metadata\_unpack** - unpack thin provisioning binary metadata.

## SYNOPSIS

```
thin_metadata_unpack [options] -i {device|file} -o {device|file}
```

## DESCRIPTION

**thin\_metadata\_pack and thin\_metadata\_unpack are used to compress** **binary metadata. Useful for support.**

**thin\_metadata\_unpack expands metadata that has previously been packed with** **thin\_metadata\_pack. It outputs a binary file that the rest of the thin** **tools can use.**

**This tool cannot be run on live metadata.**

## OPTIONS

- **-h, --help**

  **Print help and exit.**

- **-V, --version**

  **Print version information and exit.**

- **-i, --input {device\|file}**

  **Input file or device with binary data.**

- **-o, --output {device\|file}**

  **Output file or device for binary data.**

## SEE ALSO

**[thin\_dump(8)](/thin_dump/8.md), [thin\_check(8)](/thin_check/8.md), [thin\_restore(8)](/thin_restore/8.md), [thin\_rmap(8)](/thin_rmap/8.md), [thin\_metadata\_size(8)](/thin_metadata_size/8.md)**

## AUTHOR

**Joe Thornber \<ejt@redhat.com\>**