tosnap

tosnap is a command-line utility designed to simplify the process of taking and managing snapshots of files and directories. It leverages the underlying file system's snapshotting capabilities, such as those provided by ZFS or Btrfs, to create point-in-time copies of data. This allows users to revert to previous states of their files in case of accidental deletion, corruption, or unwanted modifications.

The primary function of tosnap is to automate the creation and retention of snapshots. Users can configure policies for how often snapshots should be taken and how long they should be kept. This can include options for hourly, daily, weekly, or monthly snapshots, as well as rules for automatic deletion of older snapshots to manage disk space. The tool also provides commands to list existing snapshots, restore specific files or directories from a snapshot, and even revert an entire filesystem to a previous snapshot.

tosnap aims to make data protection more accessible and less labor-intensive. By providing a unified interface for snapshot management across different back-end filesystem technologies, it offers a consistent experience for users regardless of their underlying storage solution. This can be particularly beneficial for system administrators and advanced users who need reliable and efficient data backup and recovery mechanisms without the complexity of manual snapshot operations.