diff --git a/builder.go b/builder.go
index 7839238..80cdf88 100644
--- a/builder.go
+++ b/builder.go
@@ -161,35 +161,23 @@ func (sdb *builder) WriteStateDiff(
 }
 
 // WriteStateDiff writes a statediff object to output sinks
-func (sdb *builder) WriteStateDiffTracked(
-	args Args, params Params,
+func (sdb *builder) WriteStateSnapshot(
+	stateRoot common.Hash, params Params,
 	nodeSink sdtypes.StateNodeSink,
 	ipldSink sdtypes.IPLDSink,
 	tracker tracker.IteratorTracker,
 ) error {
 	defer metrics.UpdateDuration(time.Now(), metrics.IndexerMetrics.WriteStateDiffTimer)
 	// Load tries for old and new states
-	triea, err := sdb.stateCache.OpenTrie(args.OldStateRoot)
-	if err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("error opening old state trie: %w", err)
-	}
-	trieb, err := sdb.stateCache.OpenTrie(args.NewStateRoot)
+	tree, err := sdb.stateCache.OpenTrie(stateRoot)
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("error opening new state trie: %w", err)
 	}
 
-	var subiters, bases []trie.NodeIterator
-	// Constructor for difference iterator at a specific (recovered) path
-	makeIterator := func(key []byte) trie.NodeIterator {
-		a := triea.NodeIterator(key)
-		b := trieb.NodeIterator(key)
-		return utils.NewSymmetricDifferenceIterator(a, b)
-	}
-	subiters, bases, err = tracker.Restore(makeIterator)
+	subiters, _, err := tracker.Restore(tree.NodeIterator)
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("error restoring iterators: %w", err)
 	}
-
 	if len(subiters) != 0 {
 		// Completed iterators are not saved by the tracker, so restoring fewer than configured is ok,
 		// but having too many is a problem.
@@ -198,21 +186,21 @@ func (sdb *builder) WriteStateDiffTracked(
 				sdb.subtrieWorkers, len(subiters))
 		}
 	} else {
-		subiters = iterutils.SubtrieIterators(makeIterator, uint(sdb.subtrieWorkers))
+		subiters = iterutils.SubtrieIterators(tree.NodeIterator, uint(sdb.subtrieWorkers))
 		for i := range subiters {
 			subiters[i] = tracker.Tracked(subiters[i])
 		}
 	}
-	logger := log.New("hash", args.BlockHash, "number", args.BlockNumber)
 	// errgroup will cancel if any group fails
 	g, ctx := errgroup.WithContext(context.Background())
 	for i := range subiters {
 		func(subdiv uint) {
 			g.Go(func() error {
+				symdiff := utils.AlwaysBState()
 				return sdb.processAccounts(ctx,
-					subiters[subdiv], &bases[subdiv].(*utils.SymmDiffIterator).SymmDiffState,
+					subiters[subdiv], &symdiff,
 					params.watchedAddressesLeafPaths,
-					nodeSink, ipldSink, logger,
+					nodeSink, ipldSink, log.DefaultLogger,
 				)
 			})
 		}(uint(i))
@@ -299,8 +287,6 @@ func (sdb *builder) processAccounts(
 		// New inner trie nodes will be written to blockstore only.
 		// Reminder: this includes leaf nodes, since the geth iterator.Leaf() actually
 		// signifies a "value" node.
-
-		// TODO: A zero hash indicates what?
 		if it.Hash() == zeroHash {
 			continue
 		}
@@ -350,8 +336,6 @@ func (sdb *builder) processAccounts(
 			return err
 		}
 	}
-
-	metrics.IndexerMetrics.DifferenceIteratorCounter.Inc(int64(symdiff.Count()))
 	return it.Error()
 }
 
@@ -457,7 +441,8 @@ func (sdb *builder) processStorageCreations(
 	return it.Error()
 }
 
-// processStorageUpdates builds the storage diff node objects for all nodes that exist in a different state at B than A
+// processStorageUpdates builds the storage diff node objects for all nodes that exist in a
+// different state at B than A
 func (sdb *builder) processStorageUpdates(
 	oldroot common.Hash, newroot common.Hash,
 	storageSink sdtypes.StorageNodeSink,
diff --git a/builder_snapshot_test.go b/builder_snapshot_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a071c38
--- /dev/null
+++ b/builder_snapshot_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,538 @@
+package statediff_test
+
+import (
+	"testing"
+
+	statediff "github.com/cerc-io/plugeth-statediff"
+	"github.com/cerc-io/plugeth-statediff/indexer/ipld"
+	"github.com/cerc-io/plugeth-statediff/test_helpers"
+	sdtypes "github.com/cerc-io/plugeth-statediff/types"
+	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/common"
+	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/crypto"
+)
+
+func TestBuilderSnapshot(t *testing.T) {
+	blocks, chain := test_helpers.MakeChain(3, test_helpers.Genesis, test_helpers.TestChainGen)
+	contractLeafKey = test_helpers.AddressToLeafKey(test_helpers.ContractAddr)
+	defer chain.Stop()
+	block0 = test_helpers.Genesis
+	block1 = blocks[0]
+	block2 = blocks[1]
+	block3 = blocks[2]
+	params := statediff.Params{}
+
+	tests := []test_helpers.SnapshotTestCase{
+		{
+			"testEmptyDiff",
+			common.Hash{},
+			&sdtypes.StateObject{
+				Nodes: emptyDiffs,
+			},
+		},
+		{
+			"testBlock0",
+			//10000 transferred from testBankAddress to account1Addr
+			block0.Root(),
+			&sdtypes.StateObject{
+				Nodes: []sdtypes.StateLeafNode{
+					{
+						Removed: false,
+						AccountWrapper: sdtypes.AccountWrapper{
+							Account: bankAccountAtBlock0,
+							LeafKey: test_helpers.BankLeafKey,
+							CID:     ipld.Keccak256ToCid(ipld.MEthStateTrie, crypto.Keccak256(bankAccountAtBlock0LeafNode)).String()},
+						StorageDiff: emptyStorage,
+					},
+				},
+				IPLDs: []sdtypes.IPLD{
+					{
+						CID:     ipld.Keccak256ToCid(ipld.MEthStateTrie, crypto.Keccak256(bankAccountAtBlock0LeafNode)).String(),
+						Content: bankAccountAtBlock0LeafNode,
+					},
+				},
+			},
+		},
+		{
+			"testBlock1",
+			//10000 transferred from testBankAddress to account1Addr
+			block1.Root(),
+			&sdtypes.StateObject{
+				Nodes: []sdtypes.StateLeafNode{
+					{
+						Removed: false,
+						AccountWrapper: sdtypes.AccountWrapper{
+							Account: bankAccountAtBlock1,
+							LeafKey: test_helpers.BankLeafKey,
+							CID:     ipld.Keccak256ToCid(ipld.MEthStateTrie, crypto.Keccak256(bankAccountAtBlock1LeafNode)).String()},
+						StorageDiff: emptyStorage,
+					},
+					{
+						Removed: false,
+						AccountWrapper: sdtypes.AccountWrapper{
+							Account: minerAccountAtBlock1,
+							LeafKey: minerLeafKey,
+							CID:     ipld.Keccak256ToCid(ipld.MEthStateTrie, crypto.Keccak256(minerAccountAtBlock1LeafNode)).String()},
+						StorageDiff: emptyStorage,
+					},
+					{
+						Removed: false,
+						AccountWrapper: sdtypes.AccountWrapper{
+							Account: account1AtBlock1,
+							LeafKey: test_helpers.Account1LeafKey,
+							CID:     ipld.Keccak256ToCid(ipld.MEthStateTrie, crypto.Keccak256(account1AtBlock1LeafNode)).String()},
+						StorageDiff: emptyStorage,
+					},
+				},
+				IPLDs: []sdtypes.IPLD{
+					{
+						CID:     ipld.Keccak256ToCid(ipld.MEthStateTrie, crypto.Keccak256(block1BranchRootNode)).String(),
+						Content: block1BranchRootNode,
+					},
+					{
+						CID:     ipld.Keccak256ToCid(ipld.MEthStateTrie, crypto.Keccak256(bankAccountAtBlock1LeafNode)).String(),
+						Content: bankAccountAtBlock1LeafNode,
+					},
+					{
+						CID:     ipld.Keccak256ToCid(ipld.MEthStateTrie, crypto.Keccak256(minerAccountAtBlock1LeafNode)).String(),
+						Content: minerAccountAtBlock1LeafNode,
+					},
+					{
+						CID:     ipld.Keccak256ToCid(ipld.MEthStateTrie, crypto.Keccak256(account1AtBlock1LeafNode)).String(),
+						Content: account1AtBlock1LeafNode,
+					},
+				},
+			},
+		},
+		{
+			"testBlock2",
+			//1000 transferred from testBankAddress to account1Addr
+			//1000 transferred from account1Addr to account2Addr
+			block2.Root(),
+			&sdtypes.StateObject{
+				Nodes: []sdtypes.StateLeafNode{
+					{
+						Removed: false,
+						AccountWrapper: sdtypes.AccountWrapper{
+							Account: bankAccountAtBlock2,
+							LeafKey: test_helpers.BankLeafKey,
+							CID:     ipld.Keccak256ToCid(ipld.MEthStateTrie, crypto.Keccak256(bankAccountAtBlock2LeafNode)).String()},
+						StorageDiff: emptyStorage,
+					},
+					{
+						Removed: false,
+						AccountWrapper: sdtypes.AccountWrapper{
+							Account: minerAccountAtBlock2,
+							LeafKey: minerLeafKey,
+							CID:     ipld.Keccak256ToCid(ipld.MEthStateTrie, crypto.Keccak256(minerAccountAtBlock2LeafNode)).String()},
+						StorageDiff: emptyStorage,
+					},
+					{
+						Removed: false,
+						AccountWrapper: sdtypes.AccountWrapper{
+							Account: account1AtBlock2,
+							LeafKey: test_helpers.Account1LeafKey,
+							CID:     ipld.Keccak256ToCid(ipld.MEthStateTrie, crypto.Keccak256(account1AtBlock2LeafNode)).String()},
+						StorageDiff: emptyStorage,
+					},
+					{
+						Removed: false,
+						AccountWrapper: sdtypes.AccountWrapper{
+							Account: contractAccountAtBlock2,
+							LeafKey: contractLeafKey,
+							CID:     ipld.Keccak256ToCid(ipld.MEthStateTrie, crypto.Keccak256(contractAccountAtBlock2LeafNode)).String()},
+						StorageDiff: []sdtypes.StorageLeafNode{
+							{
+								Removed: false,
+								Value:   slot0StorageValue,
+								LeafKey: slot0StorageKey.Bytes(),
+								CID:     ipld.Keccak256ToCid(ipld.MEthStorageTrie, crypto.Keccak256(slot0StorageLeafNode)).String(),
+							},
+							{
+								Removed: false,
+								Value:   slot1StorageValue,
+								LeafKey: slot1StorageKey.Bytes(),
+								CID:     ipld.Keccak256ToCid(ipld.MEthStorageTrie, crypto.Keccak256(slot1StorageLeafNode)).String(),
+							},
+						},
+					},
+					{
+						Removed: false,
+						AccountWrapper: sdtypes.AccountWrapper{
+							Account: account2AtBlock2,
+							LeafKey: test_helpers.Account2LeafKey,
+							CID:     ipld.Keccak256ToCid(ipld.MEthStateTrie, crypto.Keccak256(account2AtBlock2LeafNode)).String()},
+						StorageDiff: emptyStorage,
+					},
+				},
+				IPLDs: []sdtypes.IPLD{
+					{
+						CID:     ipld.Keccak256ToCid(ipld.RawBinary, test_helpers.CodeHash.Bytes()).String(),
+						Content: test_helpers.ByteCodeAfterDeployment,
+					},
+					{
+						CID:     ipld.Keccak256ToCid(ipld.MEthStateTrie, crypto.Keccak256(block2BranchRootNode)).String(),
+						Content: block2BranchRootNode,
+					},
+					{
+						CID:     ipld.Keccak256ToCid(ipld.MEthStateTrie, crypto.Keccak256(bankAccountAtBlock2LeafNode)).String(),
+						Content: bankAccountAtBlock2LeafNode,
+					},
+					{
+						CID:     ipld.Keccak256ToCid(ipld.MEthStateTrie, crypto.Keccak256(minerAccountAtBlock2LeafNode)).String(),
+						Content: minerAccountAtBlock2LeafNode,
+					},
+					{
+						CID:     ipld.Keccak256ToCid(ipld.MEthStateTrie, crypto.Keccak256(account1AtBlock2LeafNode)).String(),
+						Content: account1AtBlock2LeafNode,
+					},
+					{
+						CID:     ipld.Keccak256ToCid(ipld.MEthStateTrie, crypto.Keccak256(contractAccountAtBlock2LeafNode)).String(),
+						Content: contractAccountAtBlock2LeafNode,
+					},
+					{
+						CID:     ipld.Keccak256ToCid(ipld.MEthStorageTrie, crypto.Keccak256(block2StorageBranchRootNode)).String(),
+						Content: block2StorageBranchRootNode,
+					},
+					{
+						CID:     ipld.Keccak256ToCid(ipld.MEthStorageTrie, crypto.Keccak256(slot0StorageLeafNode)).String(),
+						Content: slot0StorageLeafNode,
+					},
+					{
+						CID:     ipld.Keccak256ToCid(ipld.MEthStorageTrie, crypto.Keccak256(slot1StorageLeafNode)).String(),
+						Content: slot1StorageLeafNode,
+					},
+					{
+						CID:     ipld.Keccak256ToCid(ipld.MEthStateTrie, crypto.Keccak256(account2AtBlock2LeafNode)).String(),
+						Content: account2AtBlock2LeafNode,
+					},
+				},
+			},
+		},
+		{
+			"testBlock3",
+			//the contract's storage is changed
+			//and the block is mined by account 2
+			block3.Root(),
+			&sdtypes.StateObject{
+				Nodes: []sdtypes.StateLeafNode{
+					{
+						Removed: false,
+						AccountWrapper: sdtypes.AccountWrapper{
+							Account: minerAccountAtBlock2,
+							LeafKey: minerLeafKey,
+							CID:     ipld.Keccak256ToCid(ipld.MEthStateTrie, crypto.Keccak256(minerAccountAtBlock2LeafNode)).String()},
+						StorageDiff: emptyStorage,
+					},
+					{
+						Removed: false,
+						AccountWrapper: sdtypes.AccountWrapper{
+							Account: account1AtBlock2,
+							LeafKey: test_helpers.Account1LeafKey,
+							CID:     ipld.Keccak256ToCid(ipld.MEthStateTrie, crypto.Keccak256(account1AtBlock2LeafNode)).String()},
+						StorageDiff: emptyStorage,
+					},
+					{
+						Removed: false,
+						AccountWrapper: sdtypes.AccountWrapper{
+							Account: bankAccountAtBlock3,
+							LeafKey: test_helpers.BankLeafKey,
+							CID:     ipld.Keccak256ToCid(ipld.MEthStateTrie, crypto.Keccak256(bankAccountAtBlock3LeafNode)).String()},
+						StorageDiff: emptyStorage,
+					},
+					{
+						Removed: false,
+						AccountWrapper: sdtypes.AccountWrapper{
+							Account: contractAccountAtBlock3,
+							LeafKey: contractLeafKey,
+							CID:     ipld.Keccak256ToCid(ipld.MEthStateTrie, crypto.Keccak256(contractAccountAtBlock3LeafNode)).String()},
+						StorageDiff: []sdtypes.StorageLeafNode{
+
+							{
+								Removed: false,
+								Value:   slot0StorageValue,
+								LeafKey: slot0StorageKey.Bytes(),
+								CID:     ipld.Keccak256ToCid(ipld.MEthStorageTrie, crypto.Keccak256(slot0StorageLeafNode)).String(),
+							},
+							{
+								Removed: false,
+								Value:   slot1StorageValue,
+								LeafKey: slot1StorageKey.Bytes(),
+								CID:     ipld.Keccak256ToCid(ipld.MEthStorageTrie, crypto.Keccak256(slot1StorageLeafNode)).String(),
+							},
+
+							{
+								Removed: false,
+								Value:   slot3StorageValue,
+								LeafKey: slot3StorageKey.Bytes(),
+								CID:     ipld.Keccak256ToCid(ipld.MEthStorageTrie, crypto.Keccak256(slot3StorageLeafNode)).String(),
+							},
+						},
+					},
+					{
+						Removed: false,
+						AccountWrapper: sdtypes.AccountWrapper{
+							Account: account2AtBlock3,
+							LeafKey: test_helpers.Account2LeafKey,
+							CID:     ipld.Keccak256ToCid(ipld.MEthStateTrie, crypto.Keccak256(account2AtBlock3LeafNode)).String()},
+						StorageDiff: emptyStorage,
+					},
+				},
+				IPLDs: []sdtypes.IPLD{
+					{
+						CID:     ipld.Keccak256ToCid(ipld.RawBinary, test_helpers.CodeHash.Bytes()).String(),
+						Content: test_helpers.ByteCodeAfterDeployment,
+					},
+					{
+						CID:     ipld.Keccak256ToCid(ipld.MEthStateTrie, crypto.Keccak256(minerAccountAtBlock2LeafNode)).String(),
+						Content: minerAccountAtBlock2LeafNode,
+					},
+					{
+						CID:     ipld.Keccak256ToCid(ipld.MEthStateTrie, crypto.Keccak256(account1AtBlock2LeafNode)).String(),
+						Content: account1AtBlock2LeafNode,
+					},
+					{
+						CID:     ipld.Keccak256ToCid(ipld.MEthStorageTrie, crypto.Keccak256(slot0StorageLeafNode)).String(),
+						Content: slot0StorageLeafNode,
+					},
+					{
+						CID:     ipld.Keccak256ToCid(ipld.MEthStorageTrie, crypto.Keccak256(slot1StorageLeafNode)).String(),
+						Content: slot1StorageLeafNode,
+					},
+					{
+						CID:     ipld.Keccak256ToCid(ipld.MEthStateTrie, crypto.Keccak256(block3BranchRootNode)).String(),
+						Content: block3BranchRootNode,
+					},
+					{
+						CID:     ipld.Keccak256ToCid(ipld.MEthStateTrie, crypto.Keccak256(bankAccountAtBlock3LeafNode)).String(),
+						Content: bankAccountAtBlock3LeafNode,
+					},
+					{
+						CID:     ipld.Keccak256ToCid(ipld.MEthStateTrie, crypto.Keccak256(contractAccountAtBlock3LeafNode)).String(),
+						Content: contractAccountAtBlock3LeafNode,
+					},
+					{
+						CID:     ipld.Keccak256ToCid(ipld.MEthStorageTrie, crypto.Keccak256(block3StorageBranchRootNode)).String(),
+						Content: block3StorageBranchRootNode,
+					},
+					{
+						CID:     ipld.Keccak256ToCid(ipld.MEthStorageTrie, crypto.Keccak256(slot3StorageLeafNode)).String(),
+						Content: slot3StorageLeafNode,
+					},
+					{
+						CID:     ipld.Keccak256ToCid(ipld.MEthStateTrie, crypto.Keccak256(account2AtBlock3LeafNode)).String(),
+						Content: account2AtBlock3LeafNode,
+					},
+				},
+			},
+		},
+	}
+
+	for _, test := range tests {
+		test_helpers.RunStateSnapshot(t, chain.StateCache(), test, params)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestBuilderSnapshotWithWatchedAddressList(t *testing.T) {
+	blocks, chain := test_helpers.MakeChain(3, test_helpers.Genesis, test_helpers.TestChainGen)
+	contractLeafKey = test_helpers.AddressToLeafKey(test_helpers.ContractAddr)
+	defer chain.Stop()
+	block0 = test_helpers.Genesis
+	block1 = blocks[0]
+	block2 = blocks[1]
+	block3 = blocks[2]
+	params := statediff.Params{
+		WatchedAddresses: []common.Address{test_helpers.Account1Addr, test_helpers.ContractAddr},
+	}
+	params.ComputeWatchedAddressesLeafPaths()
+
+	var tests = []test_helpers.SnapshotTestCase{
+		{
+			"testBlock0",
+			//10000 transferred from testBankAddress to account1Addr
+			block0.Root(),
+			&sdtypes.StateObject{
+				Nodes: emptyDiffs,
+			},
+		},
+		{
+			"testBlock1",
+			//10000 transferred from testBankAddress to account1Addr
+			block1.Root(),
+			&sdtypes.StateObject{
+				Nodes: []sdtypes.StateLeafNode{
+					{
+						Removed: false,
+						AccountWrapper: sdtypes.AccountWrapper{
+							Account: account1AtBlock1,
+							LeafKey: test_helpers.Account1LeafKey,
+							CID:     ipld.Keccak256ToCid(ipld.MEthStateTrie, crypto.Keccak256(account1AtBlock1LeafNode)).String()},
+						StorageDiff: emptyStorage,
+					},
+				},
+				IPLDs: []sdtypes.IPLD{
+					{
+						CID:     ipld.Keccak256ToCid(ipld.MEthStateTrie, crypto.Keccak256(block1BranchRootNode)).String(),
+						Content: block1BranchRootNode,
+					},
+					{
+						CID:     ipld.Keccak256ToCid(ipld.MEthStateTrie, crypto.Keccak256(account1AtBlock1LeafNode)).String(),
+						Content: account1AtBlock1LeafNode,
+					},
+				},
+			},
+		},
+		{
+			"testBlock2",
+			//1000 transferred from testBankAddress to account1Addr
+			//1000 transferred from account1Addr to account2Addr
+			block2.Root(),
+			&sdtypes.StateObject{
+				Nodes: []sdtypes.StateLeafNode{
+					{
+						Removed: false,
+						AccountWrapper: sdtypes.AccountWrapper{
+							Account: contractAccountAtBlock2,
+							LeafKey: contractLeafKey,
+							CID:     ipld.Keccak256ToCid(ipld.MEthStateTrie, crypto.Keccak256(contractAccountAtBlock2LeafNode)).String(),
+						},
+						StorageDiff: []sdtypes.StorageLeafNode{
+							{
+								Removed: false,
+								Value:   slot0StorageValue,
+								LeafKey: slot0StorageKey.Bytes(),
+								CID:     ipld.Keccak256ToCid(ipld.MEthStorageTrie, crypto.Keccak256(slot0StorageLeafNode)).String(),
+							},
+							{
+								Removed: false,
+								Value:   slot1StorageValue,
+								LeafKey: slot1StorageKey.Bytes(),
+								CID:     ipld.Keccak256ToCid(ipld.MEthStorageTrie, crypto.Keccak256(slot1StorageLeafNode)).String(),
+							},
+						},
+					},
+					{
+						Removed: false,
+						AccountWrapper: sdtypes.AccountWrapper{
+							Account: account1AtBlock2,
+							LeafKey: test_helpers.Account1LeafKey,
+							CID:     ipld.Keccak256ToCid(ipld.MEthStateTrie, crypto.Keccak256(account1AtBlock2LeafNode)).String()},
+						StorageDiff: emptyStorage,
+					},
+				},
+				IPLDs: []sdtypes.IPLD{
+					{
+						CID:     ipld.Keccak256ToCid(ipld.RawBinary, test_helpers.CodeHash.Bytes()).String(),
+						Content: test_helpers.ByteCodeAfterDeployment,
+					},
+					{
+						CID:     ipld.Keccak256ToCid(ipld.MEthStateTrie, crypto.Keccak256(block2BranchRootNode)).String(),
+						Content: block2BranchRootNode,
+					},
+					{
+						CID:     ipld.Keccak256ToCid(ipld.MEthStateTrie, crypto.Keccak256(contractAccountAtBlock2LeafNode)).String(),
+						Content: contractAccountAtBlock2LeafNode,
+					},
+					{
+						CID:     ipld.Keccak256ToCid(ipld.MEthStorageTrie, crypto.Keccak256(block2StorageBranchRootNode)).String(),
+						Content: block2StorageBranchRootNode,
+					},
+					{
+						CID:     ipld.Keccak256ToCid(ipld.MEthStorageTrie, crypto.Keccak256(slot0StorageLeafNode)).String(),
+						Content: slot0StorageLeafNode,
+					},
+					{
+						CID:     ipld.Keccak256ToCid(ipld.MEthStorageTrie, crypto.Keccak256(slot1StorageLeafNode)).String(),
+						Content: slot1StorageLeafNode,
+					},
+					{
+						CID:     ipld.Keccak256ToCid(ipld.MEthStateTrie, crypto.Keccak256(account1AtBlock2LeafNode)).String(),
+						Content: account1AtBlock2LeafNode,
+					},
+				},
+			},
+		},
+		{
+			"testBlock3",
+			//the contract's storage is changed
+			//and the block is mined by account 2
+			block3.Root(),
+			&sdtypes.StateObject{
+				Nodes: []sdtypes.StateLeafNode{
+					{
+						Removed: false,
+						AccountWrapper: sdtypes.AccountWrapper{
+							Account: account1AtBlock2,
+							LeafKey: test_helpers.Account1LeafKey,
+							CID:     ipld.Keccak256ToCid(ipld.MEthStateTrie, crypto.Keccak256(account1AtBlock2LeafNode)).String()},
+						StorageDiff: emptyStorage,
+					},
+					{
+						Removed: false,
+						AccountWrapper: sdtypes.AccountWrapper{
+							Account: contractAccountAtBlock3,
+							LeafKey: contractLeafKey,
+							CID:     ipld.Keccak256ToCid(ipld.MEthStateTrie, crypto.Keccak256(contractAccountAtBlock3LeafNode)).String()},
+						StorageDiff: []sdtypes.StorageLeafNode{
+							{
+								Removed: false,
+								Value:   slot0StorageValue,
+								LeafKey: slot0StorageKey.Bytes(),
+								CID:     ipld.Keccak256ToCid(ipld.MEthStorageTrie, crypto.Keccak256(slot0StorageLeafNode)).String(),
+							},
+							{
+								Removed: false,
+								Value:   slot1StorageValue,
+								LeafKey: slot1StorageKey.Bytes(),
+								CID:     ipld.Keccak256ToCid(ipld.MEthStorageTrie, crypto.Keccak256(slot1StorageLeafNode)).String(),
+							},
+							{
+								Removed: false,
+								Value:   slot3StorageValue,
+								LeafKey: slot3StorageKey.Bytes(),
+								CID:     ipld.Keccak256ToCid(ipld.MEthStorageTrie, crypto.Keccak256(slot3StorageLeafNode)).String(),
+							},
+						},
+					},
+				},
+				IPLDs: []sdtypes.IPLD{
+					{
+						CID:     ipld.Keccak256ToCid(ipld.RawBinary, test_helpers.CodeHash.Bytes()).String(),
+						Content: test_helpers.ByteCodeAfterDeployment,
+					},
+					{
+						CID:     ipld.Keccak256ToCid(ipld.MEthStateTrie, crypto.Keccak256(account1AtBlock2LeafNode)).String(),
+						Content: account1AtBlock2LeafNode,
+					},
+					{
+						CID:     ipld.Keccak256ToCid(ipld.MEthStorageTrie, crypto.Keccak256(slot0StorageLeafNode)).String(),
+						Content: slot0StorageLeafNode,
+					},
+					{
+						CID:     ipld.Keccak256ToCid(ipld.MEthStorageTrie, crypto.Keccak256(slot1StorageLeafNode)).String(),
+						Content: slot1StorageLeafNode,
+					},
+					{
+						CID:     ipld.Keccak256ToCid(ipld.MEthStateTrie, crypto.Keccak256(block3BranchRootNode)).String(),
+						Content: block3BranchRootNode,
+					},
+					{
+						CID:     ipld.Keccak256ToCid(ipld.MEthStateTrie, crypto.Keccak256(contractAccountAtBlock3LeafNode)).String(),
+						Content: contractAccountAtBlock3LeafNode,
+					},
+					{
+						CID:     ipld.Keccak256ToCid(ipld.MEthStorageTrie, crypto.Keccak256(block3StorageBranchRootNode)).String(),
+						Content: block3StorageBranchRootNode,
+					},
+					{
+						CID:     ipld.Keccak256ToCid(ipld.MEthStorageTrie, crypto.Keccak256(slot3StorageLeafNode)).String(),
+						Content: slot3StorageLeafNode,
+					},
+				},
+			},
+		},
+	}
+
+	for _, test := range tests {
+		test_helpers.RunStateSnapshot(t, chain.StateCache(), test, params)
+	}
+}
diff --git a/builder_test.go b/builder_test.go
index 68e7ea2..1540880 100644
--- a/builder_test.go
+++ b/builder_test.go
@@ -503,7 +503,7 @@ func TestBuilder(t *testing.T) {
 	block3 = blocks[2]
 	params := statediff.Params{}
 
-	var tests = []test_helpers.TestCase{
+	var tests = []test_helpers.DiffTestCase{
 		{
 			"testEmptyDiff",
 			statediff.Args{
@@ -795,7 +795,7 @@ func TestBuilder(t *testing.T) {
 		},
 	}
 
-	test_helpers.RunBuilderTests(t, chain.StateCache(), tests, params, []uint{1, 8, 32})
+	test_helpers.RunBuildStateDiff(t, chain.StateCache(), tests, params)
 	test_helpers.CheckedRoots{
 		block0: bankAccountAtBlock0LeafNode,
 		block1: block1BranchRootNode,
@@ -817,7 +817,7 @@ func TestBuilderWithWatchedAddressList(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 	params.ComputeWatchedAddressesLeafPaths()
 
-	var tests = []test_helpers.TestCase{
+	var tests = []test_helpers.DiffTestCase{
 		{
 			"testEmptyDiff",
 			statediff.Args{
@@ -1009,7 +1009,7 @@ func TestBuilderWithWatchedAddressList(t *testing.T) {
 		},
 	}
 
-	test_helpers.RunBuilderTests(t, chain.StateCache(), tests, params, []uint{1, 8, 32})
+	test_helpers.RunBuildStateDiff(t, chain.StateCache(), tests, params)
 	test_helpers.CheckedRoots{
 		block0: bankAccountAtBlock0LeafNode,
 		block1: block1BranchRootNode,
@@ -1028,7 +1028,7 @@ func TestBuilderWithRemovedAccountAndStorage(t *testing.T) {
 	block6 = blocks[5]
 	params := statediff.Params{}
 
-	var tests = []test_helpers.TestCase{
+	var tests = []test_helpers.DiffTestCase{
 		// blocks 0-3 are the same as in TestBuilderWithIntermediateNodes
 		{
 			"testBlock4",
@@ -1260,7 +1260,7 @@ func TestBuilderWithRemovedAccountAndStorage(t *testing.T) {
 		},
 	}
 
-	test_helpers.RunBuilderTests(t, chain.StateCache(), tests, params, []uint{1, 8, 32})
+	test_helpers.RunBuildStateDiff(t, chain.StateCache(), tests, params)
 	test_helpers.CheckedRoots{
 		block4: block4BranchRootNode,
 		block5: block5BranchRootNode,
@@ -1281,7 +1281,7 @@ func TestBuilderWithRemovedNonWatchedAccount(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 	params.ComputeWatchedAddressesLeafPaths()
 
-	var tests = []test_helpers.TestCase{
+	var tests = []test_helpers.DiffTestCase{
 		{
 			"testBlock4",
 			statediff.Args{
@@ -1395,7 +1395,7 @@ func TestBuilderWithRemovedNonWatchedAccount(t *testing.T) {
 		},
 	}
 
-	test_helpers.RunBuilderTests(t, chain.StateCache(), tests, params, []uint{1, 8, 32})
+	test_helpers.RunBuildStateDiff(t, chain.StateCache(), tests, params)
 	test_helpers.CheckedRoots{
 		block4: block4BranchRootNode,
 		block5: block5BranchRootNode,
@@ -1416,7 +1416,7 @@ func TestBuilderWithRemovedWatchedAccount(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 	params.ComputeWatchedAddressesLeafPaths()
 
-	var tests = []test_helpers.TestCase{
+	var tests = []test_helpers.DiffTestCase{
 		{
 			"testBlock4",
 			statediff.Args{
@@ -1599,7 +1599,7 @@ func TestBuilderWithRemovedWatchedAccount(t *testing.T) {
 		},
 	}
 
-	test_helpers.RunBuilderTests(t, chain.StateCache(), tests, params, []uint{1, 8, 32})
+	test_helpers.RunBuildStateDiff(t, chain.StateCache(), tests, params)
 	test_helpers.CheckedRoots{
 		block4: block4BranchRootNode,
 		block5: block5BranchRootNode,
@@ -1700,7 +1700,7 @@ func TestBuilderWithMovedAccount(t *testing.T) {
 	block2 = blocks[1]
 	params := statediff.Params{}
 
-	var tests = []test_helpers.TestCase{
+	var tests = []test_helpers.DiffTestCase{
 		{
 			"testBlock1",
 			statediff.Args{
@@ -1827,7 +1827,7 @@ func TestBuilderWithMovedAccount(t *testing.T) {
 		},
 	}
 
-	test_helpers.RunBuilderTests(t, chain.StateCache(), tests, params, []uint{1, 8, 32})
+	test_helpers.RunBuildStateDiff(t, chain.StateCache(), tests, params)
 	test_helpers.CheckedRoots{
 		block1: block01BranchRootNode,
 		block2: bankAccountAtBlock02LeafNode,
@@ -2088,7 +2088,7 @@ func TestBuilderWithInternalizedLeafNode(t *testing.T) {
 	block3 = blocks[2]
 	params := statediff.Params{}
 
-	var tests = []test_helpers.TestCase{
+	var tests = []test_helpers.DiffTestCase{
 		{
 			"testEmptyDiff",
 			statediff.Args{
@@ -2354,7 +2354,7 @@ func TestBuilderWithInternalizedLeafNode(t *testing.T) {
 		},
 	}
 
-	test_helpers.RunBuilderTests(t, chain.StateCache(), tests, params, []uint{1, 8, 32})
+	test_helpers.RunBuildStateDiff(t, chain.StateCache(), tests, params)
 	test_helpers.CheckedRoots{
 		block1: block1bBranchRootNode,
 		block2: block2bBranchRootNode,
@@ -2377,7 +2377,7 @@ func TestBuilderWithInternalizedLeafNodeAndWatchedAddress(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 	params.ComputeWatchedAddressesLeafPaths()
 
-	var tests = []test_helpers.TestCase{
+	var tests = []test_helpers.DiffTestCase{
 		{
 			"testEmptyDiff",
 			statediff.Args{
@@ -2556,7 +2556,7 @@ func TestBuilderWithInternalizedLeafNodeAndWatchedAddress(t *testing.T) {
 		},
 	}
 
-	test_helpers.RunBuilderTests(t, chain.StateCache(), tests, params, []uint{1, 8, 32})
+	test_helpers.RunBuildStateDiff(t, chain.StateCache(), tests, params)
 	test_helpers.CheckedRoots{
 		block1: block1bBranchRootNode,
 		block2: block2bBranchRootNode,
diff --git a/mainnet_tests/builder_test.go b/mainnet_tests/builder_test.go
index e428643..ded3ba4 100644
--- a/mainnet_tests/builder_test.go
+++ b/mainnet_tests/builder_test.go
@@ -444,7 +444,7 @@ func TestBuilderOnMainnetBlocks(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 	params := statediff.Params{}
 
-	var tests = []test_helpers.TestCase{
+	var tests = []test_helpers.DiffTestCase{
 		// note that block0 (genesis) has over 1000 nodes due to the pre-allocation for the crowd-sale
 		// it is not feasible to write a unit test of that size at this time
 		{
@@ -624,7 +624,7 @@ func TestBuilderOnMainnetBlocks(t *testing.T) {
 		},
 	}
 
-	test_helpers.RunBuilderTests(t, chain.StateCache(), tests, params, []uint{1, 8, 32})
+	test_helpers.RunBuildStateDiff(t, chain.StateCache(), tests, params)
 	test_helpers.CheckedRoots{
 		block1: block1RootBranchNode,
 		block2: block2RootBranchNode,
diff --git a/test_helpers/builder.go b/test_helpers/builder.go
index 9a82851..dc7fd34 100644
--- a/test_helpers/builder.go
+++ b/test_helpers/builder.go
@@ -4,9 +4,13 @@ import (
 	"bytes"
 	"fmt"
 	"math/big"
+	"math/rand"
+	"path/filepath"
 	"sort"
+	"sync"
 	"testing"
 
+	"github.com/cerc-io/eth-iterator-utils/tracker"
 	statediff "github.com/cerc-io/plugeth-statediff"
 	"github.com/cerc-io/plugeth-statediff/adapt"
 	sdtypes "github.com/cerc-io/plugeth-statediff/types"
@@ -17,12 +21,20 @@ import (
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
 )
 
-type TestCase struct {
+var subtrieCounts = []uint{1, 8, 32}
+
+type DiffTestCase struct {
 	Name     string
 	Args     statediff.Args
 	Expected *sdtypes.StateObject
 }
 
+type SnapshotTestCase struct {
+	Name      string
+	StateRoot common.Hash
+	Expected  *sdtypes.StateObject
+}
+
 type CheckedRoots map[*types.Block][]byte
 
 // Replicates the statediff object, but indexes nodes by CID
@@ -33,12 +45,11 @@ type normalizedStateDiff struct {
 	IPLDs       map[string]sdtypes.IPLD
 }
 
-func RunBuilderTests(
+func RunBuildStateDiff(
 	t *testing.T,
 	sdb state.Database,
-	tests []TestCase,
+	tests []DiffTestCase,
 	params statediff.Params,
-	subtrieCounts []uint,
 ) {
 	builder := statediff.NewBuilder(adapt.GethStateView(sdb))
 	for _, test := range tests {
@@ -58,6 +69,81 @@ func RunBuilderTests(
 	}
 }
 
+func RunStateSnapshot(
+	t *testing.T,
+	sdb state.Database,
+	test SnapshotTestCase,
+	params statediff.Params,
+) {
+	builder := statediff.NewBuilder(adapt.GethStateView(sdb))
+
+	for _, subtries := range subtrieCounts {
+		// Skip the recovery test for empty diffs
+		doRecovery := len(test.Expected.Nodes) != 0
+
+		t.Run(fmt.Sprintf("%s with %d subtries", test.Name, subtries), func(t *testing.T) {
+			builder.SetSubtrieWorkers(subtries)
+			var stateNodes []sdtypes.StateLeafNode
+			var iplds []sdtypes.IPLD
+			interrupt := randomInterrupt(len(test.Expected.IPLDs))
+			stateAppender := failingSyncedAppender(&stateNodes, -1)
+			ipldAppender := failingSyncedAppender(&iplds, interrupt)
+			recoveryFile := filepath.Join(t.TempDir(), "recovery.txt")
+			build := func() error {
+				tr := tracker.New(recoveryFile, subtries)
+				defer tr.CloseAndSave()
+				return builder.WriteStateSnapshot(
+					test.StateRoot, params, stateAppender, ipldAppender, tr,
+				)
+			}
+			if doRecovery {
+				// First attempt fails, second succeeds
+				if build() == nil {
+					t.Fatal("expected an error")
+				}
+			}
+			// Ensure we don't exceed the expected number of nodes. If we do, it implies the
+			// failed attempt got further than intended, and we have duplicates.
+			// ipldAppender = failingSyncedAppender(&iplds, len(test.Expected.IPLDs))
+			ipldAppender = failingSyncedAppender(&iplds, -1)
+			if err := build(); err != nil {
+				t.Fatal(err)
+			}
+			diff := sdtypes.StateObject{
+				Nodes: stateNodes,
+				IPLDs: iplds,
+			}
+			require.Equal(t,
+				normalize(test.Expected),
+				normalize(&diff),
+			)
+		})
+	}
+
+}
+
+// an appender which fails on a configured trigger
+func failingSyncedAppender[T any](to *[]T, failAt int) func(T) error {
+	var mtx sync.Mutex
+	return func(item T) error {
+		mtx.Lock()
+		defer mtx.Unlock()
+		if len(*to) == failAt {
+			return fmt.Errorf("failing at %d items", failAt)
+		}
+		*to = append(*to, item)
+		return nil
+	}
+}
+
+// function to pick random int between N/4 and 3N/4
+func randomInterrupt(N int) int {
+	if N < 2 {
+		return 0
+	}
+	return rand.Intn(N/2) + N/4
+}
+
 func (roots CheckedRoots) Check(t *testing.T) {
 	// Let's also confirm that our root state nodes form the state root hash in the headers
 	for block, node := range roots {
diff --git a/utils/iterator.go b/utils/iterator.go
index ba98a07..5aac38e 100644
--- a/utils/iterator.go
+++ b/utils/iterator.go
@@ -184,3 +184,9 @@ func compareNodes(a, b trie.NodeIterator) int {
 	}
 	return 0
 }
+
+// AlwaysBState returns a dummy SymmDiffState that indicates all elements are from B, and have no
+// common paths with A. This is equivalent to a diff against an empty A.
+func AlwaysBState() SymmDiffState {
+	return SymmDiffState{yieldFromA: false, eqPathIndex: -2}
+}