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Restore the complete ArchiveBox collection directory—not just its database or an exported index—and point ArchiveBox at that directory. In Docker, that means mounting the restored host directory at the application’s data path, commonly /data. Keep an untouched copy of the backup until you have verified the restored collection and checked whether its layout needs a version-specific migration.

What you need to restore

ArchiveBox stores a collection as a directory containing its SQLite index, configuration where used, and archived files. The project README describes collection state—including the database, content, configuration, and logs—as being stored in one folder per collection. Current documentation places the database at the collection root as index.sqlite3 and snapshot data under data/archive/users/. The Docker deployment repository also lists ArchiveBox.conf, archive/, personas/, sonic/, and logs/ among data-folder contents.

  • Include: the complete persistent collection directory, especially index.sqlite3 and the archived-content tree.
  • Do not substitute: /tmp/archivebox, which the Docker deployment documentation describes as runtime state rather than the collection backup.
  • Do not restore only one part: the database organizes the collection, while the archive tree contains saved files.

A static index export is not a complete backup. ArchiveBox can export an index using archivebox list --html, --json, or --csv, but those exports do not replace the database and snapshot files. The README notes that exports are not paginated and that relative paths require the export to remain alongside the archive folder to view correctly.

Restore the directory safely

1. Keep the backup untouched

Make a working copy and restore into that copy. ArchiveBox does not document one universal restore command or a consistency procedure that applies to every backup utility and release. If you are unsure whether the backup captured a consistent database, retain the original and consult the guidance for the ArchiveBox version and backup method that produced it before attempting repairs or migrations.

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2. Copy the collection as a unit

Copy the full collection directory from the backup to its intended location. The following is an example for a Linux host using rsync; replace both paths with the actual backup and destination paths. It copies the contents, including hidden files, while preserving file metadata:

rsync -a /mnt/backup/archivebox-collection/ /srv/archivebox/data/

Before proceeding, inspect the destination and confirm that it contains the expected root files and content tree. Do not infer that a successful file copy means the database is consistent or that the collection is compatible with every ArchiveBox release.

3. Point the deployment at the restored directory

Use the same deployment style where practical. ArchiveBox documents that Docker and non-Docker installations can share a data-directory format, so moving between them is possible subject to version and migration needs.

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For Docker Compose, the current deployment example maps a host directory to /data. Your Compose service should mount the restored directory, not an empty directory. For example:

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services:
  archivebox:
    volumes:
      - /srv/archivebox/data:/data

This is a volume example, not a complete Compose file. Preserve the image, environment, ports, and other settings appropriate to your deployment. If using docker run instead, the equivalent idea is to bind-mount the restored host directory at the container’s data path, for example -v /srv/archivebox/data:/data.

Do not start a fresh initialization against an empty directory and treat it as a restore. The current Docker image initializes automatically at startup; the data mount is what connects the container to the existing collection.

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4. Check numeric ownership and access

A container may be unable to read or write restored files if their numeric owner and group do not match the service identity. The Docker entrypoint uses the collection owner’s numeric UID/GID. The deployment documentation provides PUID and PGID overrides for mounted filesystems that require specific IDs. Check the ownership of the restored files and the identity configured for the service; set those overrides when appropriate rather than applying a broad permission change without understanding its effect.

5. Start ArchiveBox and verify the result

Start the service using your normal deployment method, then check the installation and collection:

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archivebox version
archivebox status

The official README documents archivebox version, and the Docker deployment documentation documents archivebox status. Run the commands in the appropriate environment—for example, inside the container if the host does not have ArchiveBox installed. Then open several known snapshots in the filesystem or UI and compare them with the contents you expect from the backup.

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6. Reapply access controls before exposing the service

Archived collections may contain private URLs, cookies, session tokens, and private page content. Check filesystem permissions, user access, and network exposure before making the restored service available to others.

Handling an older collection layout

Current ArchiveBox releases organize snapshots under data/archive/users/. Older collections may instead use legacy timestamp directories. The current README documents archivebox update --migrate-only for migrating legacy timestamp directories.

First identify the layout and preserve an untouched copy. Do not run a migration merely because a restore is old: database migration and upgrade behavior can depend on the versions involved. Check the release instructions relevant to the backup and the version you plan to run before opening an older collection with a newer image or applying --migrate-only.

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Troubleshooting a restore

Symptom Likely cause What to check
The UI is empty or looks like a new collection The service is pointed at a fresh or incorrect data directory. Confirm the host path in the Compose volume or docker run -v mapping and verify that the restored directory is mounted at the application data path, commonly /data.
Entries appear, but saved pages or media are missing The database was restored without the archived-content tree, or the tree is at a different path. Check that the complete collection directory was copied, including index.sqlite3 and the archive files.
The container cannot read or update files Numeric UID/GID ownership or filesystem permissions do not match the running service. Inspect ownership and the deployment’s service identity; configure documented PUID and PGID values if the mounted filesystem requires them.
An older collection does not appear in the current snapshot layout The backup may use legacy timestamp directories. Preserve a copy, check the version-specific upgrade guidance, and determine whether the documented migrate-only operation applies.
An HTML or JSON export opens without working snapshot links The export is an index export, not a standalone collection, and its relative paths may no longer point to the archive tree. Keep the export alongside the archive folder for browsing; restore the database and archived files for a collection recovery.

Or skip the browser setup

ScreenshotNeo is a separate way to capture a web page as an image or PDF; it does not restore an ArchiveBox collection or recover its existing snapshots. If your goal is to capture a page without setting up a browser, one GET request can return a screenshot:

curl -G "https://api.screenshotneo.com/v1/shot" -d access_key=YOUR_API_KEY --data-urlencode url=https://example.com -o shot.webp

See the ScreenshotNeo API documentation for request options. Cookie and consent banners are accepted and removed before capture, along with supported newsletter popups and chat widgets; those steps can be turned off. Bot checks, blank pages, timeouts, failed loads, and cache hits cost nothing, with the response identifying the page verdict and billing status. An MCP server provides screenshot tools for AI agents, and the free plan includes 1,000 screenshots per month with no card; paid plans start at $5 for 3,000. Learn about ScreenshotNeo, or sign up for the free plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I restore a collection from an HTML or JSON index export alone?

No. Those exports can help browse index information, but they are not documented as full collection backups.

Can I move a collection between Docker and a non-Docker installation?

The project says both installation styles can share a data-directory format; version and migration requirements still matter.

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