Create an On-Demand Backup
Who this is for
Users who want to take an immediate, one-time backup of a server or site before making changes (e.g., a major update, server migration, or code deployment).
Prerequisites
- Server is running with SSH connectivity.
- For snapshot backups: the server's cloud account is connected and functional.
How to Create an On-Demand Backup
- Open the server detail → Backups tab.
- Click + Create Backup.
- Fill in the form:
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Backup type | snapshot, files, database, or full — see KB-05-01: Backup Architecture |
| Site | Optional — select a specific site to back up, or leave blank for a server-level backup |
| Note | Optional free-text label (e.g., "Before WP 6.4 upgrade") |
| Retention | Days to keep this backup (1–365, default 30) |
| Encrypted | Toggle to encrypt the backup file at rest |
| Offsite config | Optional — select a cloud storage vault to upload the backup to immediately |
- Click Create Backup.
The backup job starts immediately. Monitor progress in the Activity Center.
Backup Status After Creation
The backup record appears in the Backups tab with status pending → running → completed (or failed).
Taking a Backup Before a Risky Operation
Best practice: create a full backup with a descriptive note before any risky change:
- "Before deploying v2.0"
- "Before upgrading PHP from 8.1 to 8.3"
- "Before server migration"
This gives you a recovery point that is easy to find in the Backups list.
What Success Looks Like
Backup status shows completed. The size is visible (e.g., "152 MB"). The backup appears in the Backups tab list.
Common Issues and Fixes
| Issue | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| "SSH_NOT_CONFIGURED" | Server has no SSH key configured | Set up SSH — see KB-02-08: SSH Setup and Repair |
| "INVALID_TYPE" | Unrecognized backup type | Use snapshot, files, database, or full only |
| "INVALID_CONFIG" | Offsite config does not exist or is for a different provider | Remove the offsite config selection, or verify the storage vault |
| Backup stuck in "running" | SSH dropped during backup | Check Activity Center for error detail. Try again after verifying SSH. |
| Backup file is 0 bytes | No data found in backup target | For a site backup, verify the site's document root has files |
Related Articles
- KB-05-01: Backup Architecture
- KB-05-03: Configure Backup Schedules
- KB-05-04: Encrypted Backup Options
- KB-05-05: Restore from Backup