CachyOS Backup and Restore - ryzendew/Linux-Tips-and-Tricks GitHub Wiki

CachyOS Backup and Restore Guide

Complete beginner-friendly guide to backing up and restoring your CachyOS system, including files, system configuration, and full system backups.

Table of Contents

  1. Understanding Backups
  2. What to Backup
  3. File-Level Backups
  4. System Configuration Backups
  5. Full System Backups
  6. Automated Backups
  7. Restoring from Backups
  8. Backup Best Practices

Understanding Backups

What is a Backup?

Backup is a copy of your data stored separately from the original.

Why backups matter:

  • Data loss protection: Recover from accidental deletion
  • System recovery: Restore system after failure
  • Configuration recovery: Restore settings after changes
  • Peace of mind: Know your data is safe

Types of Backups

File-level backups:

  • What: Backs up individual files and folders
  • Use for: Documents, photos, personal files
  • Tools: rsync, tar, GUI tools

System configuration backups:

  • What: Backs up system settings and configuration
  • Use for: Restoring system configuration
  • Tools: Configuration file copying, system settings export

Full system backups:

  • What: Backs up entire system
  • Use for: Complete system recovery
  • Tools: Timeshift, Clonezilla, dd

Backup Storage Locations

Where to store backups:

  • External drive: USB drive, external hard drive
  • Network storage: NAS, network drive
  • Cloud storage: Online backup services
  • Separate partition: Different partition on same drive

Best practices:

  • Multiple locations: Don't rely on one backup
  • Off-site backup: Keep copy away from computer
  • Regular backups: Backup frequently
  • Test restores: Verify backups work

What to Backup

Essential Files to Backup

Personal files:

  • Documents, photos, videos
  • Downloads folder
  • Desktop files
  • Music, books, etc.

Configuration files:

  • ~/.config/: Application configurations
  • ~/.bashrc, ~/.zshrc: Shell configurations
  • ~/.ssh/: SSH keys and configs
  • ~/.local/: User-specific data

System configuration:

  • /etc/: System configuration files
  • /home/: User home directories
  • Package lists: Installed packages

What NOT to Backup

Don't backup:

  • /proc/: Virtual filesystem (runtime data)
  • /sys/: Virtual filesystem (kernel data)
  • /dev/: Device files (created automatically)
  • /tmp/: Temporary files
  • /run/: Runtime data
  • Cache directories: Can be regenerated

Why:

  • These are system-generated
  • Can cause issues if restored
  • Not needed for recovery

File-Level Backups

Using rsync

rsync is a powerful file synchronization tool.

Install rsync:

sudo pacman -S rsync

Basic backup:

rsync -av /source/directory/ /destination/directory/

What this does:

  • -a: Archive mode (preserves permissions, timestamps)
  • -v: Verbose (shows what's being copied)
  • Copies files from source to destination

Example:

rsync -av ~/Documents/ /media/backup/Documents/

What this does:

  • Backs up Documents folder
  • Preserves file attributes
  • Shows progress

Exclude files:

rsync -av --exclude '*.tmp' /source/ /destination/

What this does:

  • Excludes files matching pattern
  • *.tmp: Excludes temporary files
  • Useful for skipping cache, temp files

Dry run (test without copying):

rsync -av --dry-run /source/ /destination/

What this does:

  • Shows what would be copied
  • Doesn't actually copy
  • Useful for testing

Using tar

tar creates archive files.

Create backup archive:

tar -czf backup.tar.gz /path/to/backup/

What this does:

  • -c: Create archive
  • -z: Compress with gzip
  • -f: Archive filename
  • Creates compressed backup file

Example:

tar -czf ~/backup-home.tar.gz ~/

What this does:

  • Creates backup of home directory
  • Compresses with gzip
  • Saves to home directory

Extract archive:

tar -xzf backup.tar.gz

What this does:

  • -x: Extract archive
  • -z: Decompress gzip
  • -f: Archive filename
  • Extracts files from backup

List archive contents:

tar -tzf backup.tar.gz

What this does:

  • -t: List contents
  • Shows files in archive
  • Doesn't extract

GUI Backup Tools

BackInTime:

sudo pacman -S backintime

What it does:

  • Graphical backup tool
  • Easy to use
  • Automatic backups

Timeshift (file mode):

sudo pacman -S timeshift

What it does:

  • System restore tool
  • Can backup files
  • Easy GUI

System Configuration Backups

Backing Up Configuration Files

Backup user config:

tar -czf ~/config-backup.tar.gz ~/.config/

What this does:

  • Backs up configuration directory
  • Preserves all settings
  • Easy to restore

Backup system config:

sudo tar -czf ~/etc-backup.tar.gz /etc/

What this does:

  • Backs up system configuration
  • Requires sudo (system files)
  • Important for system recovery

Backup shell config:

cp ~/.bashrc ~/.bashrc.backup
cp ~/.zshrc ~/.zshrc.backup

What this does:

  • Backs up shell configuration
  • Simple copy
  • Easy to restore

Backing Up Package Lists

Export installed packages:

pacman -Qqe > ~/installed-packages.txt

What this does:

  • Lists all explicitly installed packages
  • Saves to text file
  • Useful for reinstalling

Export with AUR packages:

pacman -Qqem > ~/all-packages.txt

What this does:

  • Lists all packages (including AUR)
  • More comprehensive list
  • Includes AUR packages

Restore packages:

# From official repos
pacman -S --needed $(cat ~/installed-packages.txt)

# From AUR (if using yay)
yay -S --needed $(cat ~/all-packages.txt | grep -v "$(pacman -Qqm)")

What this does:

  • Reads package list
  • Installs packages
  • --needed: Skips already installed

Backing Up Desktop Environment Settings

KDE Plasma:

# Backup KDE settings
tar -czf ~/kde-settings.tar.gz ~/.config/plasma* ~/.kde/

GNOME:

# Backup GNOME settings
dconf dump / > ~/gnome-settings-backup.txt

What this does:

  • Exports GNOME settings
  • Saves to text file
  • Can be restored with dconf load

Full System Backups

Using Timeshift

Timeshift is a system restore tool.

Install Timeshift:

sudo pacman -S timeshift

Launch Timeshift:

sudo timeshift-gtk

What it does:

  • Creates system snapshots
  • Can restore entire system
  • Easy GUI interface

Create snapshot:

  1. Open Timeshift
  2. Click "Create"
  3. Choose snapshot type
  4. Wait for completion

Restore snapshot:

  1. Open Timeshift
  2. Select snapshot
  3. Click "Restore"
  4. Follow prompts

** Warning**: Restoring will replace current system!

Using Clonezilla

Clonezilla creates disk images.

Install Clonezilla:

sudo pacman -S clonezilla

Or use live USB:

  • Download Clonezilla ISO
  • Create bootable USB
  • Boot from USB

Create disk image:

  1. Boot Clonezilla
  2. Select "device-image"
  3. Choose source disk
  4. Choose destination
  5. Start cloning

Restore disk image:

  1. Boot Clonezilla
  2. Select saved image
  3. Choose target disk
  4. Start restore

** Warning**: Will overwrite target disk!

Using dd

dd is a low-level disk copying tool.

** Warning**: dd is powerful but dangerous! Use carefully.

Create disk image:

sudo dd if=/dev/sda of=/path/to/backup.img bs=4M status=progress

What this does:

  • if=/dev/sda: Input file (source disk)
  • of=: Output file (backup image)
  • bs=4M: Block size (4MB)
  • status=progress: Show progress

Restore disk image:

sudo dd if=/path/to/backup.img of=/dev/sda bs=4M status=progress

What this does:

  • Restores from image
  • Overwrites target disk
  • ** Destructive operation!**

** Double-check device names!** Wrong device = data loss!

Automated Backups

Using cron

cron schedules tasks automatically.

Edit crontab:

crontab -e

Add backup job:

0 2 * * * rsync -av ~/Documents/ /media/backup/Documents/

What this does:

  • Runs at 2:00 AM daily
  • Backs up Documents folder
  • Automatic backup

Cron syntax:

minute hour day month weekday command

Examples:

  • 0 2 * * *: Daily at 2:00 AM
  • 0 */6 * * *: Every 6 hours
  • 0 0 * * 0: Weekly on Sunday

Using systemd timers

Create timer unit:

sudo nano /etc/systemd/system/backup.timer

Add:

[Unit]
Description=Daily backup

[Timer]
OnCalendar=daily
Persistent=true

[Install]
WantedBy=timers.target

Create service unit:

sudo nano /etc/systemd/system/backup.service

Add:

[Unit]
Description=Backup service

[Service]
Type=oneshot
ExecStart=/usr/local/bin/backup-script.sh

Enable timer:

sudo systemctl enable --now backup.timer

What this does:

  • Creates scheduled backup
  • Runs daily automatically
  • More reliable than cron

Backup Scripts

Create backup script:

nano ~/backup.sh

Add:

#!/bin/bash
BACKUP_DIR="/media/backup"
DATE=$(date +%Y-%m-%d)

# Create backup directory
mkdir -p "$BACKUP_DIR/$DATE"

# Backup home directory
rsync -av --exclude '*.cache' ~/ "$BACKUP_DIR/$DATE/home/"

# Backup system config
sudo tar -czf "$BACKUP_DIR/$DATE/etc-backup.tar.gz" /etc/

echo "Backup completed: $DATE"

Make executable:

chmod +x ~/backup.sh

Run manually:

~/backup.sh

Or schedule with cron/systemd

Restoring from Backups

Restoring Files

From rsync backup:

rsync -av /backup/location/ ~/restored/

What this does:

  • Restores files from backup
  • Preserves attributes
  • Copies to destination

From tar archive:

tar -xzf backup.tar.gz -C ~/restored/

What this does:

  • Extracts archive
  • -C: Extract to directory
  • Restores files

Restoring Configuration

Restore user config:

tar -xzf ~/config-backup.tar.gz -C ~/

What this does:

  • Restores configuration files
  • Overwrites existing config
  • ** May overwrite current settings**

Restore system config:

sudo tar -xzf ~/etc-backup.tar.gz -C /

What this does:

  • Restores system configuration
  • Requires sudo
  • ** May affect system**

Restore GNOME settings:

dconf load / < ~/gnome-settings-backup.txt

What this does:

  • Restores GNOME settings
  • Loads from backup file
  • Applies immediately

Restoring System

Using Timeshift:

  1. Boot from live USB if needed
  2. Open Timeshift
  3. Select snapshot
  4. Click "Restore"
  5. Follow prompts

Using Clonezilla:

  1. Boot Clonezilla
  2. Select image
  3. Choose target
  4. Start restore

** Warning**: System restore will replace current system!

Backup Best Practices

Regular Backups

Schedule:

  • Daily: Important files
  • Weekly: Full system
  • Before changes: Before major updates/changes

Automate:

  • Use cron or systemd timers
  • Set up automatic backups
  • Don't rely on manual backups

Multiple Backups

3-2-1 Rule:

  • 3 copies: Original + 2 backups
  • 2 different media: Different storage types
  • 1 off-site: Backup away from computer

Why:

  • Redundancy protects against failure
  • Different media = different failure modes
  • Off-site = protection against disasters

Test Restores

Regular testing:

  • Test restore process
  • Verify backups work
  • Don't wait for disaster

How to test:

  • Restore to test location
  • Verify files are correct
  • Check file integrity

Backup Verification

Verify backups:

# Check file integrity
md5sum backup.tar.gz > backup.md5
md5sum -c backup.md5

What this does:

  • Creates checksum
  • Verifies file integrity
  • Detects corruption

Regular verification:

  • Check backups periodically
  • Verify they're not corrupted
  • Ensure they're accessible

Backup Security

Encrypt backups:

# Encrypt backup
tar -czf - ~/Documents/ | gpg -c > backup.tar.gz.gpg

What this does:

  • Encrypts backup with GPG
  • Requires password to decrypt
  • Protects sensitive data

Decrypt backup:

gpg -d backup.tar.gz.gpg | tar -xzf -

What this does:

  • Decrypts backup
  • Extracts files
  • Requires password

Additional Resources

Summary

This guide covered:

  1. Understanding backups - What backups are and why they matter
  2. What to backup - Essential files and configurations
  3. File-level backups - Using rsync, tar, GUI tools
  4. System configuration backups - Config files, package lists
  5. Full system backups - Timeshift, Clonezilla, dd
  6. Automated backups - cron, systemd timers, scripts
  7. Restoring from backups - How to restore files and system
  8. Best practices - Regular backups, testing, security

Key Takeaways:

  • Backup regularly and automatically
  • Use multiple backup locations
  • Test restore process
  • Verify backup integrity
  • Encrypt sensitive backups
  • Follow 3-2-1 rule (3 copies, 2 media, 1 off-site)
  • Backup before major changes
  • Keep backups organized and labeled

This guide is based on the CachyOS Wiki and Arch Linux Wiki and expanded with detailed explanations for beginners. For the most up-to-date backup information, always refer to the official documentation.