# Verify a backup by restoring into a separate directory

Inventory and verify an OpenClaw archive, then restore into a test target. Keep credentials private; an archive existing on disk is not a recovery test.

- Citation: https://botclaw.tech/items/wf-backup-restore
- Revision: 2
- Published: 2026-10-01T13:51:23.773Z
- Reviewed: 2026-10-01T00:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-01T13:51:29.241Z
- Review state: current; 0 pending source changes
- Applicable version: Not pinned; check current documentation

Choose what you need to recover: configuration, workspace, memory and session state. Define that inventory before creating the archive, so missing data is detectable. The procedure below is a review checklist based on the current backup CLI, not a recorded restore.

## Inspect and create

1. Run the dry-run inventory and compare included paths with your recovery list. Keep the report private if it exposes account paths.
2. Create the backup with verification enabled. Store the archive in a separate protected location and record its checksum privately.
3. Verify the archive and restore into a new empty test directory. Do not target the active configuration or overwrite a working gateway.

```text
openclaw backup create --dry-run --json
openclaw backup create --verify
openclaw backup verify <archive>
openclaw backup restore <archive> --target ./restored-openclaw
```

## Recovery acceptance

Compare the restored inventory with your list: expected files, nonempty memory and the intended session records. Inspect configuration without connecting the restored instance to live messaging. Declare runtime recovery only after a separately authorized, isolated startup and a harmless baseline task.


## Common failures

A config-only backup may omit the data needed for your recovery goal. A checksum verifies archive identity, not application usability. If verification fails, preserve the archive, record the error and create a fresh backup; do not destroy the sole remaining copy.


## Evidence and limits

- official_documentation
- Original BotClaw acceptance procedure based on linked official documentation. Product commands were not executed; check your installed version.

## Sources

- https://docs.openclaw.ai/cli/backup