Skip to main content

MineBackup Overview

MineBackup is the predecessor project to FolderRewind, also known as the first generation of the "archive time machine." It is still actively maintained and retains a wealth of mature capabilities for Minecraft scenarios.

If you are a server owner, modpack tester, or primarily use the archive time machine on Linux / macOS, MineBackup remains a solid choice.

This documentation section is organized based on the reference source code, with the goal of providing a complete, ready-to-use manual.

Who Is This For​

  • Existing MineBackup users who want to formalize their workflows
  • Players managing multiple launchers / instances who want config-isolated save management
  • Server owners and modpack authors who need high-frequency backups and rollback capability
  • Users planning a gradual migration to FolderRewind while keeping their current workflow stable

Core Design Philosophy​

MineBackup's design can be understood in three layers:

  1. Configuration Layer: Defines paths, compression, backup strategies, and filter rules
  2. Execution Layer: Manual backups, automated tasks, and special-mode batch processing
  3. Restore Layer: History records, restore modes, and graceful failure handling

Reading the documentation with these three layers in mind will help you troubleshoot issues faster.

What You Can Do with MineBackup​

  • Create multiple configs to manage different launchers / game directories independently
  • Run Full, Smart Incremental, and Overwrite backup modes
  • Restore individual files from history with different restore strategies
  • Set up automated backup tasks and special-mode automation workflows
  • Enable hot backup, snapshot paths, KnotLink integration, and service mode when needed

Relationship with FolderRewind​

  • FolderRewind: The next-generation main program with a more complete plugin ecosystem
  • MineBackup: The first-generation main program, still well-suited for existing workflows and Minecraft users

Think of them as "two coexisting systems":

  • Want to keep things stable in production: stick with MineBackup
  • Want to upgrade gradually: set up FolderRewind in a new directory, then migrate incrementally

If you are using the MineRewind / MineBackup-Mod integration chain, we recommend also reading:

  1. Installation and Setup
  2. Creating Your First Config
  3. Your First Backup
  4. Your First Restore
  5. Troubleshooting

Advanced Topics​

Too Long? Start with the Shortest Path to Success​

If you want a working end-to-end flow within 30 minutes, follow this order:

  1. Installation and Setup
  2. Creating Your First Config
  3. Your First Backup
  4. Your First Restore
  5. Troubleshooting

Once complete, you will have the minimum productive capability of "backing up, restoring, and troubleshooting." From there, exploring automation will be much smoother.