watchback 0.1.4

Simple backup utility

Watchback

Simple desktop backup app: pick a source folder, pick one or more mirror folders, click Sync, and Watchback keeps mirrors updated.

Quick Start

1. Install:

pip install -e .

2. Run:

watchback

3. In the app:

• Click Add Profile
• Add at least 2 folders
• Double-click one folder to mark it as [GROUND] (source of truth)
• Click Save Profile
• Click Sync

That is it. While sync is running, file changes are mirrored automatically.

Open Existing Mirror (No Profile Needed)

If you attach a drive that already contains a Watchback mirror, you can use it directly:

1. Click Open Mirror
2. Select the mirror folder
3. Choose one of:

• Explore Current
• Explore Versions
• Explore Snapshots

You can export files from the mirror without creating a local profile first.

What It Stores In Mirrors

Each mirror gets:

mirror/
├── current/    # live copy
├── versions/   # older file versions
├── snapshots/  # periodic state history
└── objects/    # content storage used by versions/snapshots

Build Executables (PyInstaller)

Generate a standalone executable for your host OS with:

python scripts/build.py

The script detects the current OS and runs the correct PyInstaller command.

• On Windows, output is dist/watchback.exe
• On Linux, output is dist/watchback

Important Notes

• Sync direction is one-way: GROUND -> MIRROR.
• Do not edit files inside mirror folders directly.
• Settings and logs are stored in:
  • ~/.watchback/watchback.json
  • ~/.watchback/watchback.log

Requirements

• Python 3.9+
• Linux, macOS, or Windows

License

MIT. See LICENSE.