Administration guide

Create and check a site backup

Request a backup and verify its completion and scope.

Access needed: Site backup permission; server access for command-line use.

  1. Open Modules → Backup and resolve any configuration warnings first. The service must be able to run the configured pg_dump and archive tools.
  2. Choose Start backup now for the available full-backup mode. Use Start database-only backup now only when that narrower scope is intentional.
  3. Wait for completion and check the backup listing, timestamp, files, and any reported error.
  4. Copy or replicate the result according to the backup plan. Keep the encryption password separately recoverable if encryption is enabled.
  5. Record which database, configuration, media, and external-store protections are included.
Start backup now button and warning that cloud-stored files are excluded from the local backup.

Read the scope warning before starting. This example site uses cloud file storage, so recovery of its media needs a separate backup plan.

With cloud file storage enabled, the admin warns that local files will not be backed up; arrange recovery of the external originals. Older daily backups can be overwritten by rotation.

With server access, bin/zotonic backup garden list lists backups and bin/zotonic backup garden start requests one. Confirm completion independently. Do not use backup download for inspection: it downloads and restores a backup.

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