---
name: "timeshift-launcher"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "timeshift"
version: "24.06.6-2"
release: "Debian 13 (Trixie)"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/timeshift-launcher"
---

# timeshift-launcher(1)

a system restore utility

## NAME

timeshift-launcher - a system restore utility

## SYNOPSIS

**timeshift** --check\
 **timeshift** --create*\[OPTIONS\]*\
 **timeshift** --restore*\[OPTIONS\]*\
 **timeshift** --delete-\[all\]*\[OPTIONS\]*\
 **timeshift** --list-{snapshots\|devices}*\[OPTIONS\]*\

## DESCRIPTION

**timeshift** is a system restore utility which takes snapshots of the system at regular intervals. These snapshots can be restored at a later date to undo system changes. Creates incremental snapshots using rsync or BTRFS snapshots using BTRFS tools.

## OPTIONS

A summary of options is included below.

- List:

  **--list\[-snapshots\]** List snapshots.\
   **--list-devices** List devices.

- Backup:

  **--check** Create snapshot if scheduled.\
   **--create** Create snapshot (even if not scheduled).\
   **--comments \<string\>** Set snapshot description.\
   **--tags {O,B,H,D,W,M}** Add tags to snapshot (default: O).

- Restore:

  **--restore** Restore snapshot.\
   **--clone** Clone current system.\
   **--snapshot \<name\>** Specify snapshot to restore.\
   **--target\[-device\] \<device\>** Specify target device.\
   **--grub\[-device\] \<device\>** Specify device for installing GRUB2 bootloader.\
   **--skip-grub** Skip GRUB2 reinstall.

- Delete:

  **--delete** Delete snapshot.\
   **--delete-all** Delete all snapshots.

- Global:

  **--snapshot-device \<device\>** Specify backup device (default: config).\
   **--yes** Answer YES to all confirmation prompts.\
   **--btrfs** Switch to BTRFS mode (default: config).\
   **--rsync** Switch to RSYNC mode (default: config).\
   **--debug** Show additional debug messages.\
   **--verbose** Show rsync output (default).\
   **--quiet** Hide rsync output.\
   **--scripted** Run in non-interactive mode.\
   **--help** Show all options.\

## EXAMPLES

timeshift --list\
 timeshift --list --snapshot-device /dev/sda1\
 timeshift --create --comments "after update" --tags D\
 timeshift --restore \
 timeshift --restore --snapshot '2014-10-12\_16-29-08' --target /dev/sda1\
 timeshift --delete  --snapshot '2014-10-12\_16-29-08'\
 timeshift --delete-all\

## NOTES

1\) --create will always create a new snapshot\
 2\) --check will create a snapshot only if a scheduled snapshot is due\
 3\) Use --restore without other options to select options interactively\
 4\) UUID can be specified instead of device name\
 5\) Default values will be loaded from app config if options are not specified\

## AUTHOR

Written by Tony George.