# Backups

A usable backup includes:

- the complete database;
- the `.env` file and any deployment-specific configuration;
- `storage/`, including the install marker, private files, and local uploads;
- remote object-storage buckets or their replication/versioning policy;
- custom themes, templates, or code changes kept outside the original package;
- worker, cron, proxy, and WebSocket service definitions.

Encrypt backups, restrict access, keep copies outside the application server, and test restores. A database-only restore may leave missing knowledge sources or mismatched attachments; a file-only restore may leave resources the database no longer references.