Data and backups

DATA_DIR — the only persistent location

When a bot container restarts (redeploy, restart, token change), its file system is wiped — except for the folder pointed to by the DATA_DIR environment variable. Files written anywhere else (for example, inside the project itself) are gone on the next start. So keep all persistent data — SQLite databases, Excel exports, uploaded images — inside DATA_DIR only (sample code).

Examples

import sqlite3, os
db = sqlite3.connect(os.path.join(os.getenv("DATA_DIR", "./data"), "bot.sqlite3"))

const fs = require("fs")
const path = require("path")
const file = path.join(process.env.DATA_DIR || "./data", "users.json")
fs.writeFileSync(file, JSON.stringify(data))

Daily automatic backup

Every day at 03:00 (Tashkent time), the DATA_DIR folder of every active bot is archived in full, encrypted with AES-256-GCM and stored separately. Bots with no activity since their last backup are skipped, so no resources are wasted.

Retention

Expired backups are deleted automatically. In the dashboard, Bot → Backups lists every available backup with its date and size.

Manual backup

You can take an extra backup at any time with the "Back up now" button — for example, before a big change.

Restoring from a backup

When you press Restore, the current state is first saved automatically as a "pre-restore backup" (so nothing is lost even if you clicked by mistake), then DATA_DIR is rolled back to the selected backup and the bot restarts briefly.

Downloading a backup

The "Download" button creates a signed link valid for 24 hours — use it to save the encrypted file to your computer. If the link has expired or been tampered with, the download will not work.

What if I use an external database?

If your bot connects to an external service such as PostgreSQL, MongoDB or Redis via DATABASE_URL, the check also treats that as "correct" — but keep in mind: Botxona only backs up DATA_DIR. Backing up the external database is entirely your responsibility.

Next step

Code rules that prevent data loss: 6 rules — rule 5. Why data survives when a bot sleeps and wakes up: Sleep and wake-up.