Minecraft Backup
github.com
What it is
Minecraft Backup is a Linux script for backing up Minecraft server world folders. It can create tar archives or use the restic backend, and connects to servers managed with screen or tmux, as well as servers with RCON or Docker RCON enabled. The script works with vanilla servers and does not require plugins. Backups can be scheduled with cron; the README includes an hourly example. For older backups, users can choose no deletion, sequential deletion of the oldest backup, or thin retention. Thin retention keeps the last 24 hourly and 30 daily backups, then uses available space for weekly backups. Backups are stored locally, and restoration uses tar extraction for tar files or restic restore for restic backups. The script can post backup status messages in Minecraft chat. It requires tar and a compression program such as the default gzip; RCON also requires xxd. Player data can become out of sync with world data during backups, potentially duplicating or losing items. RCON is recommended because it waits for the server to confirm saving is complete. The README also warns that Minecraft bug MC-217729 can cause a backup to fail.
Spec sheet
- Purpose
- Minecraft Backup is a script for backing up Minecraft server worlds on Linux.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
- License
- The repository identifies its license as the MIT License.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Maker
- The GitHub profile identifies the repository owner as Nicolas Chan and lists San Francisco.Read 2 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Backup formats
- It supports tar files and the restic backup backend.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Chat status
- It can print backup status messages to Minecraft chat.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Consistency caveat
- Player data can become out of sync with world data during backups, which may duplicate or lose items.Read 2 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Consistency limitation
- Player data can become out of sync with world data during backups, potentially duplicating or losing items; the README recommends RCON as the safest connection method.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Dependencies
- The system needs tar and the chosen compression tool; RCON usage also requires xxd.Read 2 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Docker
- The README documents running the backup script in Docker and using it with the itzg/docker-minecraft-server container and RCON CLI.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Download
- The README instructs users to download backup.sh from the latest GitHub release.Read 2 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Maintainer
- The GitHub profile names the maintainer Nicolas Chan and lists San Francisco.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Minecraft limitation
- The README warns that Minecraft bug MC-217729 can cause the server to save the world after save-off and potentially make a backup fail.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Old backup deletion
- Its deletion options include thin retention, sequential deletion, or no deletion; thin keeps the last 24 hourly and 30 daily backups, then uses remaining space for weekly backups.Read 2 Oct 2026 · github.com
- RCON recommendation
- The README recommends RCON for the safest backups because it waits for the server to confirm save completion.Read 2 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Requirements
- Installation requires tar and the chosen compression program, with gzip as the default; RCON use also requires xxd.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Restore guidance
- Tar backups can be decompressed and extracted with tar, while restic backups can be restored with restic restore.Read 2 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Retention
- It can thin old backups by keeping the last 24 hourly and 30 daily backups, then using remaining space for weekly backups, or delete the oldest backup sequentially.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Scheduling
- The README shows how to automate recurring backups with cron.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Server access
- It supports Minecraft servers running in screen or tmux, or with RCON enabled.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Server connections
- It supports servers managed with screen or tmux, as well as RCON and Docker RCON.Read 2 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Vanilla servers
- The script works with vanilla Minecraft servers and requires no server plugins.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
- World backups
- The script creates backups of Minecraft world folders.Read 2 Oct 2026 · github.com
Plans and prices
Free Free Backup script for Minecraft servers on Linux Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
Strong points and limits
Strong points
- Supports tar files and the restic backend.
- Works with vanilla servers without plugins.
- Offers cron scheduling and several retention choices.
- Can post backup status in Minecraft chat.
Limits
- Player and world data can become out of sync.
- RCON use requires xxd.
- Minecraft bug MC-217729 can cause backup failure.
Who it suits
It suits operators of Linux Minecraft servers who want scheduled local world backups and control over old-backup retention. It can also suit vanilla-server operators who do not want to add plugins.
Verdict
Minecraft Backup provides multiple backup backends, server connection methods, and retention choices for Linux servers. The data-consistency caveat matters; the README recommends RCON for the safest backups.
Where Specifiction places it
- Minecraft Backup Software#8 of 308.0