Setup & Installation
Or with the ClawHub CLI, for registry-managed skill folders outside a full OpenClaw workspace:
Version History
Hardening: default plan-only mode, explicit --apply for system writes, and opt-in flags for timers/init/initial run.
What This Skill Does
Sets up encrypted, versioned restic backups for a Linux home directory with systemd scheduling, retention policies, and restore validation. Covers repository initialization, credential hardening, prune/check automation, and recovery testing. Changes require explicit confirmation before writing to system paths.
Combines restic's deduplication and encryption with systemd timers and a validated restore step, which most manual backup guides omit.
When to use it
- Set up daily automated backups of home directory to an S3 bucket
- Configure weekly prune and monthly integrity check schedules
- Restore files from a specific snapshot to a temporary directory
- Harden backup credentials with restricted file permissions
- Troubleshoot a failed backup due to wrong password or unreachable repo
Example Workflow
Here's how your AI assistant might use this skill in practice.
User asks: set up encrypted daily backups of my home directory to an SFTP server with 7-day/4-week/12-month retention
- 1Collect source path, SFTP endpoint, retention policy, and schedule from user
- 2Generate /etc/restic-home.env with restricted permissions and backup/prune/check scripts under /usr/local/bin
- 3Create systemd service and timer units for backup, prune, and check jobs
- 4Initialize the restic repository and run an immediate backup, then list snapshots to confirm
- 5Run a restore smoke test to a temporary directory and report exit status
Fully configured restic setup with systemd timers active, one verified snapshot, and a restore smoke test confirming recovery works
Requirements
Accounts, API keys, or tools you or your AI assistant may need to set up while using this skill.