Name¶

borg-key-export - Export the repository key for backup

SYNOPSIS¶

borg [common options] key export [options] [REPOSITORY] [PATH]

DESCRIPTION¶

This command backs up the borg key.

If repository encryption is used, the repository is inaccessible without the borg key (and the passphrase that protects the borg key). If a repository is not encrypted, but authenticated, the borg key is still needed to access the repository normally.

For repositories using keyfile encryption the key is kept locally on the system that is capable of doing backups. To guard against loss or corruption of this key, the key needs to be backed up independently of the main data backup.

For repositories using repokey encryption or authenticated mode the key is kept in the repository. A backup is thus not strictly needed, but guards against the repository becoming inaccessible if the key is corrupted or lost.

Note that the backup produced does not include the passphrase itself (i.e. the exported key stays encrypted). In order to regain access to a repository, one needs both the exported key and the original passphrase. Keep the exported key and the passphrase at safe places.

There are three backup formats. The normal backup format is suitable for digital storage as a file. The --paper backup format is optimized for printing and typing in while importing, with per line checks to reduce problems with manual input. The --qr-html creates a printable HTML template with a QR code and a copy of the --paper-formatted key.

Examples:

borg key export /path/to/repo > encrypted-key-backup
borg key export --paper /path/to/repo > encrypted-key-backup.txt
borg key export --qr-html /path/to/repo > encrypted-key-backup.html
# Or pass the output file as an argument instead of redirecting stdout:
borg key export /path/to/repo encrypted-key-backup
borg key export --paper /path/to/repo encrypted-key-backup.txt
borg key export --qr-html /path/to/repo encrypted-key-backup.html

OPTIONS¶

See borg-common(1) for common options of Borg commands.

SEE ALSO¶

borg-common(1), borg-key-import(1)

Author¶

The Borg Collective