# Case 00957

> Self Backup

- Skill: `knownasnaffy/case-00957` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 4 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add knownasnaffy/case-00957`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/knownasnaffy/case-00957/raw
- Safety review: pending (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector PASS)
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: AI & ML
- Author: knownasnaffy (https://skillmd.com/u/knownasnaffy)
- Updated: 2026-09-21
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/knownasnaffy/case-00957

---


# Self Backup

Backup critical OpenClaw workspace files to your GitHub repository for safe keeping and version control.

## Setup

### 1. Install GitHub CLI (if not already installed)
```bash
# Ubuntu/Debian
sudo apt install gh

# macOS
brew install gh

# Other platforms: https://cli.github.com/
```

### 2. Login to GitHub
```bash
gh auth login
```

### 3. Configure your backup repository
Edit the configuration in the backup script or set environment variables:

```bash
# Set your repository URL (replace with your repo)
export BACKUP_REPO_URL="https://github.com/YOUR_USERNAME/YOUR_BACKUP_REPO.git"

# Or edit the script directly
nano scripts/backup.sh
```

### 4. Create your backup repository
```bash
# Create a private repository for your backups
gh repo create YOUR_USERNAME/openclaw-backup --private --description "OpenClaw workspace backup"
```

## What Gets Backed Up

### Core Configuration Files
- `AGENTS.md` - Workflow documentation and procedures
- `SOUL.md` - Personal assistant personality and behavior
- `USER.md` - Personal profile and preferences  
- `MEMORY.md` - Long-term memory and important context
- `IDENTITY.md` - Assistant identity and emoji
- `TOOLS.md` - Tool configuration and local notes
- `AUTOMATION.md` - Cron and scheduling documentation
- `openclaw.json` - OpenClaw system settings (tokens sanitized for security)

### Scripts & Automation
- `scripts/` directory - All automation scripts
- `memory/` directory - Daily memory logs (last 30 days)
- Custom configuration files

### Skills Configuration
- `skills/` directory - Local skill installations (metadata only)
- Skill customizations

## Repository Structure

Files are organized in the backup repository as:
```
/
├── config/           # Core configuration files
├── scripts/          # Automation scripts  
├── memory/          # Daily memory logs
├── skills/          # Skill configurations
└── backup-info.md   # Backup metadata
```

## Usage

### First-time setup:
```bash
scripts/setup.sh
```

### Regular backups:
```bash
scripts/backup.sh
```

### Options:
```bash
scripts/backup.sh --force      # Force push even with conflicts
scripts/backup.sh --dry-run    # Show what would be backed up
```

## Security Features

- **Automatic token sanitization**: All sensitive tokens (Discord, Telegram, API keys) are automatically redacted
- **Private repository recommended**: Keep your configuration private
- **Structure preservation**: All settings preserved, only sensitive data redacted
- **Safe restore**: Easy to restore and re-enter tokens

## Configuration

Edit these variables in `scripts/backup.sh`:

```bash
# Your GitHub repository URL
REPO_URL="https://github.com/YOUR_USERNAME/YOUR_BACKUP_REPO.git"

# Workspace directory (usually auto-detected)
WORKSPACE_DIR="$HOME/.openclaw/workspace"
```

## Manual Backup

To backup specific files manually:
```bash
# Clone your backup repository
git clone https://github.com/YOUR_USERNAME/YOUR_BACKUP_REPO.git /tmp/backup
cd /tmp/backup

# Copy important files
cp ~/.openclaw/workspace/AGENTS.md config/
cp ~/.openclaw/workspace/SOUL.md config/
# ... etc

# Commit and push
git add .
git commit -m "Manual backup $(date)"
git push origin main
```

## Restore Process

To restore from backup:
```bash
# Clone the backup
git clone https://github.com/YOUR_USERNAME/YOUR_BACKUP_REPO.git

# Copy files back to workspace
cp backup/config/* ~/.openclaw/workspace/
cp -r backup/scripts/* ~/.openclaw/workspace/scripts/
# ... etc

# Re-enter your actual tokens in openclaw.json
nano ~/.openclaw/openclaw.json
```

## Troubleshooting

### GitHub Authentication Issues
```bash
# Re-login to GitHub
gh auth logout
gh auth login
```

### Permission Denied
```bash
# Check repository exists and you have access
gh repo view YOUR_USERNAME/YOUR_BACKUP_REPO
```

### Git Configuration
```bash
# Set git identity if needed
git config --global user.name "Your Name"
git config --global user.email "your.email@example.com"
```