Definition
Recovery Mode is a protocol-level state or configuration in a blockchain or distributed ledger system that is activated when normal consensus assumptions are violated or critically threatened. It designates a special operational regime in which the network prioritizes restoring safety, data integrity, and coherent chain history over standard liveness guarantees, often under explicitly defined governance, consensus, or validator coordination rules.
In Simple Terms
Recovery Mode is a special state a blockchain can enter when something has gone seriously wrong with its normal operation. In this state, the network focuses on protecting the chain’s data and restoring a reliable shared view of the ledger, instead of continuing business as usual.
Context and Usage
The term Recovery Mode appears in protocol specifications, governance documents, and security discussions for proof-of-stake and other consensus-based blockchains. It is typically referenced in relation to validator behavior, consensus safety guarantees, and responses to severe faults or misconfigurations. Discussions of Recovery Mode often intersect with topics such as chain finality, node coordination, and mechanisms for handling or mitigating slashing-related or consensus-threatening events.