🚀 TimeMachine Backup for Linux

A real-time backup solution for Linux that provides automated, incremental file backup and synchronization via a responsive web-based interface. Monitors your files continuously and backs them up instantly as they change. Tested and optimized on Fedora Linux.

✨ Features

Component	Feature	Description
Real-time Backup	Instant File Monitoring	Uses watchdog to detect file changes immediately and back them up as they happen
Interface	Modern Web UI	Responsive interface built with HTML/CSS and Tailwind CSS
Backend	Python & Flask	Robust backend handling all logic and device management
Backup	Automated & Incremental	Continuous background monitoring, only copies changed files
Restore File	Restore file	Able to restore a single file from any previous backup version
Restore Folder	Restore Folder	Able to restore an entire folder from any previous backup version
Optimization	Hardlink Optimization	Reuses file data on backup target to save space
Tracking	Hash-based File Tracking	Track files across moves and renames using content hashes
Flexibility	Storage Management	Easy management of external backup storage devices

📸 Screenshots

| Main Dashboard | | | File Restore | | | File Restore | | | File Restore | | | Device Management | | | Backup Settings | |

⚡ Quick Start

Prerequisites

• Python 3.7+
• Linux system (tested on Fedora)

Installation

# Clone the repository
git clone [https://github.com/GeovaneJefferson/timemachine.git](https://github.com/GeovaneJefferson/timemachine.git)
cd timemachine

# Install dependencies
### Fedora
sudo dnf update
sudo dnf install python3 python3-pip nodejs npm

### Ubuntu
sudo apt update
sudo apt install python3 python3-pip nodejs npm

# Pip install dependencies
pip install -r requirements.txt

Running the Application

Method 1: Full Web Interface

# Start the server
python3 app.py

Then open your browser to http://localhost:5000 and follow the setup wizard.

Method 2: Headless Daemon Only

## ⚠️ Important Notes

# Real-time Backup Operation
Important Note: You must launch the Web Interface at least once (python3 app.py) to choose a backup device and folders before using this method.

# Run just the real-time backup daemon
python3 daemon.py

This starts the real-time monitoring without the web interface.

🔧 Architecture

Project Structure

timemachine/
├── config/              # Configuration Files
├── static/              # Web assets (CSS, JS, images)
├── templates/           # HTML templates
├── app.py               # Flask application (Web Interface)
├── daemon.py            # Core Backup Daemon (Real-time monitoring engine)
├── server.py            # Shared server functionality
├── search_handler.py    # File search logic
├── storage_util.py      # Storage device detection
├── .gitignore
└── requirements.txt

Real-time Backup Engine

TimeMachine uses watchdog to monitor filesystem events in real-time:

• Instant detection of file changes, creations, and deletions
• Event-driven architecture for minimal CPU usage
• Incremental backup - only changed files are copied
• Continuous operation - runs 24/7 in background

Why Flask?

• Clean Architecture: Clear separation of UI from core engine
• Rapid Development: Quick iteration without complex native toolkits
• Remote Access: Potential for network-based management
• Learning Platform: Modern web application patterns
• Personal Learning: I know electron is not the best choose for app, but i wanted to learn a new framework. If i can enough support, may upgrade to Gtk4 or Qt6.

⚠️ Important Notes

Real-time Backup Operation

• Continuous Monitoring: Once started, TimeMachine runs continuously in background
• Immediate Backup: File changes are backed up within seconds of being saved
• Immediate Backup v2: Countdown for a faster changed files of 1 min.
• Low Resource: Efficient monitoring with minimal system impact
• In Development!: Many things may change in the future

Daemon Auto-Start (Not Implemented)

After every system reboot, you must manually restart the daemon by:

1. Running python3 app.py and using the web interface
2. Opening http://localhost:5000
3. Clicking the "Run" button
4. Or simply running python3 daemon.py directly in terminal

System Compatibility

Designed and tested for Linux systems, primarily Fedora. Other distributions may require adjustments.

🛣️ Roadmap

High Priority

• Auto startup on boot

Medium Priority

• Native UI integration (GTK4/Qt6)
• System tray icon
• Desktop notifications for backup events

Low Priority

• Remote management
• Multiple backup targets
• Backup encryption

🐛 Troubleshooting

Common Issues

1. "Permission denied" errors

   • Ensure write access to backup target
   • Use appropriate permissions for system folders

2. Daemon not starting

   • Verify Python dependencies are installed
   • Run daemon.py in terminal, chceck for errors

3. Device not detected

   • Ensure storage device is properly mounted
   • Check USB connection if using external drive

Performance Tips

• Use SSD for backup target for faster operations

📄 License

This project is licensed under the MIT License - see the LICENSE file for details.