Initialize and Set Up a Repository

Generate a configuration file

Create a starter config

vykar config

Or write it to a specific path:

vykar config --dest ~/.config/vykar/config.yaml

Encryption

Encryption is enabled by default (mode: "auto"). During init, vykar benchmarks AES-256-GCM and ChaCha20-Poly1305, chooses one, and stores that concrete mode in the repository config. No config is needed unless you want to force a mode or disable encryption with mode: "none".

The passphrase is requested interactively at init time. You can also supply it via:

• VYKAR_PASSPHRASE environment variable
• passcommand in the config (e.g. passcommand: "pass show vykar")
• passphrase in the config

Configure repositories and sources

Set the repository URL and the directories to back up:

repositories:
  - label: "main"
    url: "/backup/repo"

sources:
  - "/home/user/documents"
  - "/home/user/photos"

See Configuration for all available options.

Initialize the repository

vykar init

This creates the repository structure at the configured URL. For encrypted repositories, you will be prompted to enter a passphrase.

Validate

Confirm the repository was created:

vykar info

Run a first backup and check results:

vykar backup
vykar list

Next steps

• Make a Backup
• Configuration