Backup & Restore
Keep all your MyShell Terminal data safe with manual exports or scheduled automatic backups.
Location: Settings → Backup
Manual Export
Two export modes are available, depending on what you need:
| Mode | File Type | Contains Secrets | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Encrypted export | .dat | Yes (encrypted) | Full backup and restore |
| Text export | Redacted JSON | No | Sharing, version control |
Encrypted Export
- Choose encrypted export and set a password (minimum 12 characters)
- The backup file is strongly encrypted with your password
- Restoring brings back all of your data
Keep the Password Safe
An encrypted backup can only be restored with the exact password used at export time. If the password is lost, the backup cannot be recovered.
Text Export
The text export produces a human-readable, editable JSON file:
- Contains no passwords, keys, or tokens — sensitive fields are removed
- Ideal for version control, sharing, or reviewing your configuration
- Because secrets are stripped, a confirmation dialog warns it cannot fully restore your data
Importing a Backup
Import automatically detects the file type:
- Text backup (
.json): imports directly, no password needed - Encrypted backup (
.dat): enter the export password to restore
Smart Validation
Every entry in a backup file is validated individually:
- Invalid entries are skipped instead of failing the whole import
- A summary is shown after import, for example:
Servers 5, Snippets 12 (1 invalid skipped)
Automatic Backup Plans
Create scheduled backup plans that run without any manual effort.
Creating a Plan
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| Target | Local folder, FTP, SFTP, WebDAV, or S3 |
| Interval | How often to back up (in hours) |
| Retention | How many backups to keep before old ones are cleaned |
| Backup password | Optional encryption for the backup files |
How It Works
- Enabled plans run automatically in the background
- Backups beyond the retention count are removed automatically
- Use Run Now to trigger a backup immediately at any time
- A notification is shown when a backup completes
Backup Scope
A full backup covers:
- Servers
- Snippets
- Proxies
- App settings
- SSH keys
- Command history
- AI sessions