GitLab Backup CLI review

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

GitLab Backup CLI is an experimental command-line tool for creating and restoring backups of GitLab Self-Managed installations. It is intended for GitLab administrators who want a basic way to run backup and restore operations from the command line, rather than a general-purpose service spanning different Git hosts. GitLab describes the tool as under development and as intended to replace existing Rake tasks used for backup and restore. That status matters: the CLI offers a focused set of operations, but its positioning is not that of a mature, broadly scoped backup suite.

The workflow centers on creating a GitLab backup, identifying it with a backup ID, and restoring GitLab from a backup. A backup information file stores metadata, giving administrators a way to associate backup records with their IDs. This narrow focus may suit teams whose requirement is GitLab instance backup and restore through a CLI. It should not be read as a tool for backing up repositories across multiple hosting platforms, nor does its described scope establish coverage of individual issue, pull request, or wiki records.

GitLab Backup CLI is open source and free, and it is part of GitLab rather than a separately priced backup subscription. Its self-hosted deployment and GitLab-specific scope make it most relevant to admins managing GitLab Self-Managed. The main trade-off is its experimental, under-development status, alongside a command-line-centered approach. Administrators seeking basic GitLab backup and restore operations may find the scope appropriate; teams that need a broader, cross-platform backup service or a more established tool should consider an alternative suited to those needs.

GitLab Backup CLI pros and cons

• Where it wins
  • Creates and restores backups for GitLab Self-Managed
  • Records backup metadata in an information file
  • Uses backup IDs to identify backups
• Where it doesn't
  • GitLab labels the CLI an experiment under development
  • Its scope is GitLab Self-Managed, not multiple hosting platforms
  • Backup and restore operations are command-line focused

GitLab Backup CLI fact sheet, pricing and score →

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Last updated 9 Oct 2026 · How we research and update