diff --git a/compass/landice/tests/ensemble_generator/sgh_restart_ensemble/test_case.py b/compass/landice/tests/ensemble_generator/sgh_restart_ensemble/test_case.py
index 16388c1dd0..7d2933bdfb 100644
--- a/compass/landice/tests/ensemble_generator/sgh_restart_ensemble/test_case.py
+++ b/compass/landice/tests/ensemble_generator/sgh_restart_ensemble/test_case.py
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@
     compass run -w /work/restart
 """
 
+import configparser
 import glob
 import json
 import os
@@ -52,14 +53,23 @@ def configure(self):
 
         This method:
         1. Reads the spinup ensemble directory
-        2. Checks analysis results to identify incomplete runs
-        3. Creates RestartMember steps for runs needing continuation
-        4. Sets up ensemble_manager to handle job submission
+        2. Optionally loads an analysis_summary_file to pre-filter candidates
+        3. Checks per-run analysis results to identify incomplete runs
+        4. Creates RestartMember steps for runs needing continuation
+        5. Sets up ensemble_manager to handle job submission
         """
         config = self.config
-        section = config.get('restart_ensemble', {})
 
-        spinup_work_dir = section.get('spinup_work_dir')
+        # Read required spinup_work_dir
+        try:
+            spinup_work_dir = config.get('restart_ensemble', 'spinup_work_dir')
+        except (configparser.NoSectionError, configparser.NoOptionError):
+            raise ValueError(
+                "restart_ensemble config must specify spinup_work_dir\n"
+                "Add to config file:\n"
+                "[restart_ensemble]\n"
+                "spinup_work_dir = /path/to/spinup/ensemble"
+            )
 
         if not spinup_work_dir:
             raise ValueError(
@@ -72,12 +82,47 @@ def configure(self):
         if not os.path.exists(spinup_work_dir):
             raise ValueError(f"spinup_work_dir not found: {spinup_work_dir}")
 
-        # Get restart configuration
-        max_consecutive_restarts = section.getint(
-            'max_consecutive_restarts', 3)
-        min_simulation_years = section.getfloat(
-            'min_simulation_years_before_restart', 50.0)
-        auto_restart = section.getboolean('auto_restart_incomplete', True)
+        # Read optional analysis_summary_file
+        analysis_summary_file = None
+        try:
+            val = config.get('restart_ensemble', 'analysis_summary_file')
+            if val and val.lower() not in ('none', ''):
+                analysis_summary_file = val
+        except (configparser.NoSectionError, configparser.NoOptionError):
+            pass
+
+        # If provided, validate it exists
+        if analysis_summary_file and not os.path.exists(analysis_summary_file):
+            raise ValueError(
+                f"analysis_summary_file not found: {analysis_summary_file}")
+
+        # Load the set of run numbers flagged for restart from the summary file
+        summary_restart_runs = None
+        if analysis_summary_file:
+            with open(analysis_summary_file, 'r') as f:
+                summary = json.load(f)
+            summary_restart_runs = set(summary.get('restart_needed_runs', []))
+            print(f"Loaded {len(summary_restart_runs)} restart candidates "
+                  f"from {analysis_summary_file}")
+
+        # Read optional restart configuration
+        try:
+            max_consecutive_restarts = config.getint(
+                'restart_ensemble', 'max_consecutive_restarts')
+        except (configparser.NoSectionError, configparser.NoOptionError):
+            max_consecutive_restarts = 3
+
+        try:
+            min_simulation_years = config.getfloat(
+                'restart_ensemble', 'min_simulation_years_before_restart')
+        except (configparser.NoSectionError, configparser.NoOptionError):
+            min_simulation_years = 50.0
+
+        try:
+            auto_restart = config.getboolean(
+                'restart_ensemble', 'auto_restart_incomplete')
+        except (configparser.NoSectionError, configparser.NoOptionError):
+            auto_restart = True
 
         # Scan for existing run directories
         run_dirs = sorted(glob.glob(os.path.join(spinup_work_dir, 'run*')))
@@ -92,7 +137,13 @@ def configure(self):
             except ValueError:
                 continue
 
-            # Check if run should be restarted
+            # If a summary file was provided, only consider runs listed there
+            if summary_restart_runs is not None and \
+                    run_num not in summary_restart_runs:
+                skipped_runs.append(
+                    (run_num, "Not in analysis_summary restart list"))
+                continue
+
             should_restart, reason = self._should_restart_run(
                 run_dir=run_dir,
                 run_num=run_num,
@@ -105,7 +156,6 @@ def configure(self):
                 restart_runs.append(run_num)
                 print(f"Scheduling restart for {run_name}")
 
-                # Add restart member step
                 self.add_step(InPlaceRestartMember(
                     test_case=self,
                     run_num=run_num,