backdown service

backdown service [OPTIONS] <COMMAND>

backdown service install#

Install and start the daemon as a service for you (on Linux, machine-wide with --system)

backdown service install [OPTIONS]

Options#

--system

Machine-wide service running as the backdown user (needs sudo).

--host <HOST>

Also listen on this address (e.g. this computer's Tailscale IP) so other devices can look; from there BackDown only shows, and changes need this computer. 127.0.0.1 always listens. Default: 127.0.0.1.

--port <PORT>

Port the service binds. Default: 8787.

--no-start

Install but don't start it.

--print

Print the unit file instead of installing it.

backdown service uninstall#

Stop and remove the service (the index is kept)

backdown service uninstall [OPTIONS]

Options#

--system

 

backdown service status#

Is the service installed and running, and what is it doing?

backdown service status [OPTIONS]

Options#

--system

 

All of them also take the global options --db and --local.

Good to know#

On Linux, a systemd user service that runs as you; with --system, a machine-wide service that runs as a backdown user that can read every file and write none, with no network beyond this machine (add people to the backdown group to let them use it). On macOS, a LaunchAgent (~/Library/LaunchAgents/io.backdown.daemon.plist) that runs while you're logged in; its log is in ~/Library/Logs/BackDown. On Windows, a scheduled task "BackDown" that starts it, without a window and with your normal rights, when you log on. --system is Linux-only. --host and --port go into the Linux unit (see daemon); systemd keeps the machine-wide service off the network whatever they say, and on macOS and Windows they aren't passed to the service yet (run backdown daemon --host … instead). status exits 3 when the service isn't running. Uninstalling keeps the index.

Examples#

backdown service install
backdown service status
# see what it would install first
backdown service install --print
# Linux: also look from your other devices over Tailscale
backdown service install --host 100.x.y.z
# machine-wide, on Linux (NAS, server)
sudo backdown service install --system
backdown service uninstall

See also#

• The background service
• The service on each system