Backups
Back up a FeatherPanel server. File, database and full backups, ignored files, panel metadata, locking, restore with truncate, download, and FIFO rotation.
On this page
Backups need backup.read; creating, restoring, downloading and deleting need backup.create, backup.restore,
backup.download and backup.delete. The page has two tabs: Server backups (archives made by
FeatherWings) and Database dumps.
Creating a backup
Create Backup, then pick a type:
| Type | Result | Counts toward the limit |
|---|---|---|
| Server files | A Wings archive of the server files. | Yes |
| Databases | SQL dumps of all or selected databases written to /.featherpanel-database-backups on the server. | No |
| Full server | Dumps the databases and optional panel metadata, then archives everything. | Yes |
Options:
- Ignored files: gitignore-style patterns such as
*.logorlogs/*. Empty means the.featherpanelignorefile in the server root is used. - Include panel metadata (full backups): writes allocations, firewall rules, proxies, schedules, lifecycle hooks,
subusers and more to
/.featherpanel-backup/. - Include encrypted secrets: adds decrypted custom variables, database passwords and proxy TLS keys to that metadata. Treat such a backup as sensitive.
- Include activity log: adds recent server activity.
Managing backups
| Action | Notes |
|---|---|
| Restore | Overwrites files from the backup. Truncate Directory clears the server folder first. |
| Download | Download the archive. |
| Lock, Unlock | Locked backups cannot be deleted or restored. Bulk delete and FIFO rotation skip them. |
| Delete, Delete selected, Delete all | Delete all keeps locked backups. |
| Mark as interrupted | For a backup still creating after 24 hours. Marks it failed and unlocks it so you can delete it. |
Limits and rotation
The maximum number of backups is set by your host and shown on the server’s Settings page. When the limit is reached:
- Hard limit: new backups are refused until you delete one.
- FIFO rolling: the oldest unlocked backup is removed first.
If your host allows it, the Backup policy card in Settings lets you pick Inherit, Hard limit or FIFO. Pair FIFO with a schedule for a rolling window of backups.
Frequently asked questions
Your host sets the limit. If FIFO rolling is on, the oldest unlocked backup is removed when you reach it, so new backups keep working.
Add gitignore-style patterns when creating the backup, or put them in a .featherpanelignore file in the server root. .pteroignore and .pelicanignore files are read too.
It is locked. Unlock it first. Locked backups cannot be deleted or restored.