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Step 1: Open Backup Settings
Navigate to Dashboard → Settings → Backup & Restore to access all backup options.
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Step 2: Create a Manual Backup
Click "Create Backup" to save your current configuration, AI model settings, channel connections, and agent configs. Backups are stored locally at ~/.openclaw/backups/.
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Step 3: View Existing Backups
See a list of all backups with timestamps. Each backup is a compressed archive containing your full OpenClaw configuration.
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Step 4: Restore from Backup
Select a backup and click "Restore". SetupClaw will preview what will be restored before applying. The gateway restarts automatically after restore.
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Step 5: Baseline Backup
SetupClaw creates an automatic baseline backup on first setup, before any configuration changes. This is your safety net.
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Step 6: Open Backup Folder
Click "Open Folder" to view backup archives directly in Finder.
What's Included in a Backup
- OpenClaw config.yaml (all settings, channel credentials, model config)
- Environment variables (.env file)
- Agent workspace files (SOUL.md, AGENTS.md, etc.)
- Plugin configuration
What's NOT Included
- Chat history (stored separately in session files)
- Installed plugins (reinstalled automatically on restore)
- Node.js or OpenClaw binary (re-detected on startup)