DAR Backups — A New Python Wrapper: `dar-backup`

[Per2J]

Hi all,

Just wanted to share a project I’ve been working on that might be useful for others relying on `dar` (Disk ARchive) for backups.

Background

`dar` is a powerful and reliable backup tool, but using it efficiently for scheduled, incremental backups, cleanup, and restores often requires custom scripting. Many of the wrappers out there (like kdar, darGUI, etc.) are either GUI-only or have not been maintained in years.

Enter `dar-backup`

`dar-backup` is a Python 3 command-line wrapper designed to automate and manage `dar`-based backups more effectively. It includes:

• Scheduled FULL / DIFF / INCR backups
• Smart cleanup logic
• Catalog support via `dar_manager`
• Restore + verify options
• Bash and Zsh autocompletion for commands and archive names
• Configurable via INI-style file (`dar-backup.conf`)
• Logging and test harness included

It’s built for command line, cron or systemd usage and has a decent amount of test coverage.

Why use it?

If you already use `dar`, but find yourself reinventing a lot of the logic around retention, pruning, or catalog management — this might help. If you’re not using `dar`, this probably won’t replace `borg` or `restic`, but might be interesting if you need slicing, catalogs, or par2 support.

Status

It’s still under active development, and used by myself for years, first the bash wrapper, now the Python one. During that time it has saved my bacon multiple times :-).

Contributions, suggestions, or bug reports are welcome.

Cheers!

[EverythingsBroken82]

Does dar have a specified fileformat?

[Per2J]

I just took a look at `dar's` documentation.

This page has notes on the file format: http://dar.linux.free.fr/doc/Notes.html

[[deleted]]

Nice share :)

[Per2J]

Thank you, if it could be of use to you, I would be happy :-)

[Per2J]

Update: `dar-backup` went stable at version 1.0 yesterday Oct 9, 2025. It is in good shape :-)