> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.weap.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.weap.io/file-backups/get-started.md).

# Get started

Weap.io allows you to backup your server files to an external storage of your choice (`AWS S3`, `Wasabi`, `DigitalOcean Spaces` and `Backblaze B2`).

{% hint style="success" %}
Our Server files backup solution comes with a default storage of up to 250GB. That's in case you don't want to bring your own storage.
{% endhint %}

Thanks to the intuitive user interface, getting started with your first backup for your server files is simple and fast.

### 1. Open Weap.io dashboard

Open your Weap.io dashboard and click on the `File Backups` menu button. On the page just opened, click the button `Schedule new backup`.

![](/files/-MKzrBJtwLw_aGEv1vo3)

### 2. Add a new server

{% hint style="info" %}
If your server was already added previously, you can skip this step by clicking "Choose an existent server".
{% endhint %}

Weap.io needs to be able to connect via SSH to the server you want to backup. in order to connect, provide the following details:

* `Friendly name`: a friendly name that will help you recognize the server later
* `Server user`: the user that Weap.io will use to SSH into the server. It can be `root` or one specially created for Weap. If you need help creating a new user, check this guide.
* `Server IP or hostname`: the IP or hostname of the server.
* `Server port`: The SSH port of the server. The default one is 22.

After filling the details, click the button `Next`.

![](/files/-MKzrlYJT-vIQbZaNHL6)

### 3. Add the SSH key to the server

{% hint style="info" %}
This step will appear only when adding a new server. It will not be visible when choosing and existent server with a working SSH connection.
{% endhint %}

Weap.io generated a new SSH key for your server. The key must be added to your `authorized_keys` file. All the required instructions are already displayed during the setup process.

![](/files/-MKzsIN5zaPAQoafgF9A)

### 4. Choose the files to backup

Now it's time to give an intuitive name to your backup schedule. In our example it was named `my-files`.

The next two things to configure are the paths of the files you want to include in the backups and the ones you want to exclude (if any). 

In our example, all the files under the paths `/var/lib` and `/media` will be included. Because the directory `/var/lib/not-important-directory` was added to the excluded paths, it will not be part of the backup.

{% hint style="info" %}
It's mandatory to use absolute paths.
{% endhint %}

When done, click the button `Create`.

![](/files/-MKzv5vWnQoJcOvq2Am_)

### 6. Conclusion

Congratulations! Your server file are now automatically backed-up using the default retention policy of the server and stored on your default storage location (the one provided by Weap if you didn't change it). 

Feel free to change the retention & frequency as needed.

![](/files/-MKzwloyENBQIS1W1vjB)