CapyArk Documentation

Everything you need to start backing up and restoring data.

Start here

New to CapyArk? One guide takes you from a fresh account to a verified, encrypted connection with your storage node:

• Connect to CapyArk — account setup, private network, first file transferred. ~10 minutes, one-time.

Getting Started

Pick the guide that matches how you want to transfer data to CapyArk. All methods share the same foundation: your storage node is on your private network and accessible over SSH.

• Back up with rsync — The fastest way to start. Works with any files on any OS.
• ZFS send/receive target — Use CapyArk as the receiving end of zfs send streams. True incremental-forever at the block level.
• SFTP & SSH file access — Browse and transfer files using SFTP clients like FileZilla, Cyberduck, or sshfs.
• Restore from a snapshot — Recover files or whole datasets from any point-in-time snapshot.

Backup Tools

CapyArk speaks standard protocols, so nearly every backup tool works with it. Choosing a backup tool ranks the free options from simplest to most powerful, with dedicated guides for:

• FreeFileSync — scheduled folder backups with a GUI, no terminal needed.
• rclone — powerful CLI sync with filters and optional client-side encryption.
• restic — encrypted, deduplicated, versioned backups. The power-user favorite.

Security

• Two-factor authentication — protect your account in 2 minutes.
• Security best practices — SSH keys, ransomware-resistant snapshots, restore testing.

Prerequisites

Before following any transfer guide you need:

1. A CapyArk account — sign up here.
2. Tailscale installed on the machine you're backing up — tailscale.com/download.
3. Your CapyArk storage node joined to your private network (happens automatically after account activation — check the Connect tab in the portal).

Once your storage node shows Online in the portal, note its Tailscale hostname — it looks like storage-baas_xxxxx. That's the host you'll use in all commands. Full walkthrough: Connect to CapyArk.

Support

Email support@capyark.com — we respond within one business day.