> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.substrate.42.pe/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# substrate backup — Snapshot the Current Substrate

> substrate backup writes a timestamped .tar.gz archive of your substrate into .substrate/backups/ and prints the path. No retention or pruning in v0.7.0.

Run `substrate backup` to take a timestamped snapshot of your substrate before any operation you are unsure about. The archive lands in `.substrate/backups/` and the path is printed so you know exactly what was created. Take one before a `substrate import --force`, a hand-edit of several board files, or a template apply into a substrate you care about.

## Usage

```shell theme={null}
substrate backup
```

## Output

The command writes a timestamped `.tar.gz` of the substrate into `.substrate/backups/` and prints the full path to the archive.

<Note>
  There is no retention or pruning in v0.7.0 — backups accumulate until you remove them manually.
</Note>

## Writing to a Custom Path

To write the archive somewhere other than `.substrate/backups/`, use [`substrate export`](/cli/export-import) with an explicit output path.