Backup and sync

This page describes the intended roles of GitHub, Nextcloud, and HDD backups.

The workstation setup uses the following default directory conventions:

Area Default location Purpose
Git repositories ~/repos Source code, documentation, text-based projects, and versioned configuration.
Nextcloud folders ~/Nextcloud Synced documents, PDFs, media, and shared project folders.
Local workstation data ~/workstation Local working data that is not managed through Git or Nextcloud.
HDD backup External HDD Versioned encrypted backup of local workstation data (via Vorta/Borg).


Avoid storing secrets directly in Git or shared folders. Use a password manager or encrypted storage for credentials and recovery material.

Daily routine

  • Commit or stash important Git work before leaving the workstation.
  • Push active Git branches that should not remain local-only.
  • Check that Nextcloud has finished syncing important files.
  • Keep external backup drives disconnected unless a backup or restore is running.

Weekly routine

  • Connect the weekly backup HDD.
  • Run or verify the Vorta/Borg backup.
  • Check that the backup completed successfully before disconnecting the drive.
  • Review local-only folders and decide whether they should become Git repositories, Nextcloud folders, or remain backup-only.

Monthly routine

  • Test that Vorta/Borg can list archives on the backup drive.
  • Restore a small non-sensitive test file to a temporary location.
  • Review whether important new folders are included in backup sources.
  • Confirm that password manager recovery and disk encryption recovery information are still accessible.

Emergency and recovery notes

Keep recovery material separate from the laptop and from a single cloud account:

  • password manager recovery information,
  • disk encryption recovery keys if used,
  • Borg repository passphrases or key material,
  • GitHub or institution account recovery options,
  • setup media or a tested way to reinstall Fedora.

Do not document actual passwords, private keys, or recovery codes in this repository.

Optional: Emergency USB recovery kit

An emergency USB stick can be useful when a laptop is lost, broken, or temporarily unusable. It is intended as a last-resort recovery aid, not as a replacement for GitHub, Nextcloud, or the regular HDD/Vorta/Borg backup.

Use it only if the additional maintenance effort is realistic. A stale emergency stick can create false confidence.

The USB stick may contain:

  • Fedora installation media or offline reinstall notes,
  • a copy of the workstation setup bootstrap instructions,
  • password manager recovery information, encrypted,
  • disk encryption recovery keys, encrypted,
  • Borg repository passphrases or key material, encrypted,
  • GitHub or institution account recovery codes, encrypted,
  • a short restore checklist.

Do not store unencrypted passwords, private keys, recovery codes, or account secrets on the stick.

Recommended maintenance:

  • Review the stick together with the monthly backup routine.
  • Update it after changes to recovery codes, backup passphrases, disk encryption keys, or password manager recovery.
  • Keep a small MANIFEST.md on the stick with the last review date and a non-sensitive list of contents.
  • Store the stick separately from the laptop and backup drive.