> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.profclaw.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# profclaw backup

> Back up and restore profClaw data - database, configuration, skills, and memory index.

## Synopsis

```bash theme={null}
profclaw backup <subcommand> [flags]
```

## Description

`backup` creates and restores snapshots of profClaw's persistent data. A backup includes the SQLite database, configuration files, skills directory, and optionally the memory index. Backups are stored as compressed archives and can be restored to the same or a different machine.

## Subcommands

| Subcommand       | Description                         |
| ---------------- | ----------------------------------- |
| `create`         | Create a new backup                 |
| `list`           | List available backups              |
| `restore <file>` | Restore from a backup file          |
| `delete <file>`  | Delete a backup file                |
| `schedule`       | Configure automatic backup schedule |

## `backup create`

<ParamField query="-o, --output" type="string" default="~/.profclaw/backups/">
  Directory or file path for the backup archive. Defaults to `~/.profclaw/backups/profclaw-YYYY-MM-DD.tar.gz`.
</ParamField>

<ParamField query="--no-memory" type="boolean">
  Exclude the memory index from the backup (reduces size significantly).
</ParamField>

<ParamField query="--no-config" type="boolean">
  Exclude configuration files (back up data only).
</ParamField>

<ParamField query="--json" type="boolean">
  Output backup result as JSON.
</ParamField>

## `backup restore <file>`

<ParamField query="file" type="string" required>
  Path to the backup archive to restore.
</ParamField>

<ParamField query="--dry-run" type="boolean">
  List what would be restored without making changes.
</ParamField>

<ParamField query="--yes" type="boolean">
  Skip the confirmation prompt.
</ParamField>

<Warning>
  Restore overwrites the current database and configuration. Stop the server before restoring to avoid data corruption.
</Warning>

## `backup schedule`

<ParamField query="--interval" type="string">
  Schedule interval: `daily`, `weekly`, or a cron expression.
</ParamField>

<ParamField query="--keep" type="string" default="7">
  Number of backups to retain. Older backups are automatically deleted.
</ParamField>

## Examples

<CodeGroup>
  ```bash Create a backup theme={null}
  profclaw backup create
  ```

  ```bash Backup to a specific location theme={null}
  profclaw backup create --output /mnt/backups/profclaw-$(date +%Y%m%d).tar.gz
  ```

  ```bash Backup without the memory index theme={null}
  profclaw backup create --no-memory
  ```

  ```bash List available backups theme={null}
  profclaw backup list
  ```

  ```bash Restore from a backup theme={null}
  profclaw serve stop         # Stop the server first
  profclaw backup restore ~/.profclaw/backups/profclaw-2026-03-01.tar.gz
  profclaw serve              # Restart
  ```

  ```bash Schedule daily automated backups theme={null}
  profclaw backup schedule --interval daily --keep 14
  ```
</CodeGroup>

## What is Backed Up

| Component                            | Included by default             |
| ------------------------------------ | ------------------------------- |
| SQLite database (`data/profclaw.db`) | Yes                             |
| Configuration (`config/`)            | Yes                             |
| Skills (`skills/`)                   | Yes                             |
| `.env` file                          | No (contains secrets)           |
| Memory index                         | Yes (use `--no-memory` to skip) |
| Log files                            | No                              |

## Related

* [`profclaw reset`](/cli/reset) - Reset configuration without backup
* [`profclaw status`](/cli/status) - Verify system health after restore
* [Docker Deployment](/guides/docker-deployment) - Persistent volume backup strategies