Understanding Backups
Learn about backup types and how they protect your code.
Two Types of Backups#
SlyDuck creates two types of backups for your projects:
- Git Reference Backups: Fast, lightweight backups that store commit pointers
- Full Archive Backups: Complete ZIP archives stored in the cloud
Both types require a connected GitHub repository.
Git Reference Backups#
Git reference backups are fast and efficient. They store:
- The current commit SHA of your tracked branch
- Timestamp of when the backup was created
- Branch name being tracked
These backups let you quickly identify and restore to any previous state of your code using standard Git commands.
How It Works
Since Git already stores your full history, SlyDuck only needs to record the commit SHA. This makes reference backups instant and storage-free.
Full Archive Backups#
Full archive backups create a complete snapshot of your repository:
- Downloaded as a ZIP file
- Stored securely in cloud storage
- Independent of GitHub (survives repo deletion)
- Includes all files at the time of backup
Archive backups provide an extra layer of protection beyond Git history.
When to Use Each Type
- Reference backups: Day-to-day protection, quick rollbacks
- Archive backups: Disaster recovery, compliance requirements
Backup Schedule#
SlyDuck automatically creates backups on the following schedule:
- Daily: Git reference backups of your tracked branch
- Weekly: Full archive backups (stored in cloud)
You can also create manual backups at any time from the Backups tab.
Manual Backups
Create a manual backup before making major changes to your project. This gives you a guaranteed restore point.
Backup Limits
Manual full archive backups are limited to 3 per day and 10 per week per project. Automated backups and git reference backups are not affected by these limits.