First backup

Before you start

Borg and BorgMate are installed and verified.
You have a folder containing at least one non-sensitive test file.
You have a separate destination with enough free space for the repository.
If you use encryption, you have a password manager ready for a recovery copy of the passphrase.

1. Create the repository

Open the Repositories page and click Create.
Enter a descriptive repository name, such as Laptop external drive.
Keep Borg 1 unless you intentionally use the experimental Borg 2 support.
Select Local and choose an empty repository path on the destination disk.
Choose an encryption mode. Avoid none when the destination is not physically trusted.

Keep recovery credentials outside this computer.

The OS keychain is convenient for daily use, but it is not a disaster-recovery copy. Preserve the repository passphrase separately. Keyfile modes also require the corresponding Borg keyfile.

2. Add source folders

Open the Source Folders tab.
Click Add and select the folder containing your test file.
Leave Schedule set to Manual for this first run.
Click Create. BorgMate initializes the repository and verifies access before accepting it.

3. Run the backup

Select the repository and click Backup.
Watch the detail panel for percentage, speed, elapsed time, and ETA.
Wait for a completed operation. Do not disconnect the destination while it is running.
Open Notifications and confirm that the backup result is Completed.
Return to the repository and confirm that a new archive appears.

4. Test the restore

Select the new archive and click Browse.
Find and select the test file.
Click Restore Selected To... and choose a new, empty folder.
Open the restored file and compare it with the original.
Check Notifications for a completed restore operation.

Your backup is verified when

The archive is listed, both operations completed, and the restored file opens with the expected contents from a separate destination folder.