#backup

Make a timestamped backup copy before editing a config or document.

rsync copies over SSH, skips unchanged files, resumes interrupted transfers, and preserves permissions and timestamps.

Two tmutil queries answer 'is Time Machine working?' — status shows the running state, latestbackup the newest backup.

Snapshot installed applications into a JSON file and batch-reinstall them on a fresh Windows setup.

Archive copy files and directories keeping ownership, permissions, symlinks and timestamps intact on Linux.

tmutil startbackup kicks off a backup immediately — handy before system updates or big changes.

Pack directories with tar -czf while skipping logs, dependencies and cache directories using --exclude.

Make a point-in-time restore point on the internal disk in seconds.

Compress a whole directory tree into a single file with the built-in tar.

Export any key subtree to a restorable .reg file in one command — the safe ritual before editing the registry.

Keep a second folder, USB disk, or mount exactly in step with the original — without re-copying everything.

Back up the entire Windows system drive (and all critical volumes) to another disk from the command line using wbadmin start backup.