backup-recovery
backup-recovery is an engineering AI skill with a core value of Implement backup and recovery strategies. It
helps developers solve real-world problems in the engineering domain, boosting
efficiency, automating repetitive tasks, and optimizing workflows.
Implement backup and recovery strategies. Configure rsync, Restic, and cloud backups. Use when designing data protection solutions.
Quick Facts
mkdir -p ./skills/backup-recovery && curl -sfL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/sickn33/antigravity-awesome-skills/main/skills/backup-recovery/SKILL.md -o ./skills/backup-recovery/SKILL.mdRun in terminal / PowerShell. Requires curl (Unix) or PowerShell 5+ (Windows).
Skill Content
# Backup and Recovery
Implement comprehensive backup and recovery strategies using rsync, Restic, and cloud storage backends. Covers the 3-2-1 rule, automated scheduling, S3/B2 backends, encryption, restore procedures, and verification testing.
When to Use
- Designing a backup strategy for servers, databases, or application data
- Setting up Restic for encrypted, deduplicated backups to local or cloud storage
- Automating backups with systemd timers or cron
- Restoring data after accidental deletion, corruption, or disaster
- Migrating data between environments using backup/restore workflows
- Verifying backup integrity and testing recovery procedures
Prerequisites
- `rsync` installed (included in most Linux distributions)
- `restic` installed (v0.16+ recommended)
- Cloud CLI configured for the backend: AWS CLI for S3, `b2` CLI for Backblaze B2
- Sufficient storage at the backup destination (2-3x source size for retention)
- SSH access for remote rsync targets
- `systemd` or `cron` for scheduling
The 3-2-1 Backup Rule
- **3** copies of your data (1 primary + 2 backups)
- **2** different storage media or types (e.g., local disk + cloud)
- **1** copy offsite (cloud storage, remote datacenter)
rsync Backups
Basic Operations
# Sync a local directory to a backup location
rsync -avz --delete /data/ /backup/data/
# Flags explained:
# -a archive mode (preserves permissions, ownership, timestamps, symlinks)
# -v verbose output
# -z compress data during transfer
# --delete remove files at destination that no longer exist at source
# Sync to a remote server over SSH
rsync -avz -e "ssh -i ~/.ssh/backup_key" /data/ backup@remote:/backups/server01/
# Exclude patterns
rsync -avz --delete \
--exclude='*.tmp' \
--exclude='*.log' \
--exclude='.cache/' \
--exclude='node_modules/' \
/data/ /backup/data/
# Use an exclude file for complex patterns
rsync -avz --delete --exclude-from=/etc/backup-excludes.txt /data/ /backup/data/
# Dry run (preview what would change)
rsync -avzn --delete /data/ /backup/data/
# Limit bandwidth to 50 MB/s and show progress
rsync -avz --bwlimit=50000 --progress /data/ backup@remote:/backups/Incremental Backups with Hard Links
# Incremental: unchanged files hard-linked to previous backup (saves space)
rsync -avz --delete \
--link-dest=/backup/daily/latest \
/data/ /backup/daily/$(date +%Y-%m-%d)/
# Update the 'latest' symlink
ln -snf /backup/daily/$(date +%Y-%m-%d) /backup/daily/latest
# Remove backups older than 30 days
find /backup/daily -maxdepth 1 -type d -name "20*" -mtime +30 -exec rm -rf {} \;Restic Backup
Installation
# Debian / Ubuntu
apt install -y restic
# RHEL / CentOS
dnf install -y restic
# Or download the latest binary
curl -L https://github.com/restic/restic/releases/latest/download/restic_0.17.3_linux_amd64.bz2 \
| bunzip2 > /usr/local/bin/restic
chmod +x /usr/local/bin/restic
# Verify installation
restic versionInitialize a Repository
# Local repository
restic init --repo /backup/restic-repo
# AWS S3 backend
export AWS_ACCESS_KEY_ID="AKIAEXAMPLE"
export AWS_SECRET_ACCESS_KEY="secretkey"
restic init --repo s3:s3.amazonaws.com/my-backup-bucket
# S3-compatible (MinIO)
export AWS_ACCESS_KEY_ID="minioadmin"
export AWS_SECRET_ACCESS_KEY="miniosecret"
restic init --repo s3:http://minio.example.com:9000/backup-bucket
# Backblaze B2 backend
export B2_ACCOUNT_ID="accountid"
export B2_ACCOUNT_KEY="accountkey"
restic init --repo b2:my-backup-bucket:server01
# SFTP backend
restic init --repo sftp:backup@remote:/backups/server01
# Restic will prompt for a repository password -- store it securely
# Use a password file for automation
echo "my-secure-repo-password" > /etc/restic/password.txt
chmod 600 /etc/restic/password.txtBackup Operations
# Basic backup
restic backup /data --repo /backup/restic-repo --password-file /etc/restic/password.txt
# Backup multiple directories🎯 Best For
- Claude users
- AI users
💡 Use Cases
- Using backup-recovery in daily workflow
- Automating repetitive engineering tasks
📖 How to Use This Skill
- 1
Install the Skill
Copy the install command from the Terminal tab and run it. The SKILL.md file downloads to your local skills directory.
- 2
Load into Your AI Assistant
Open Claude and reference the skill. Paste the SKILL.md content or use the system prompt tab.
- 3
Apply backup-recovery to Your Work
Provide context for your task — paste source material, describe your audience, or share existing work to guide the AI.
- 4
Review and Refine
Edit the AI output for accuracy, tone, and completeness. Add human insight where the AI lacks context.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How do I install backup-recovery?
Copy the install command from the Terminal tab and run it. The skill downloads to ./skills/backup-recovery/SKILL.md, ready to use.
Can I customize this skill for my team?
Absolutely. Edit the SKILL.md file to add team-specific instructions, examples, or workflows.
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
Not reading the full skill
Skills contain important context and edge cases beyond the quick start.