what is Backup Server?

Backup Server is a specialized tool that provides backup and restoration capabilities for AI coding agents and code editing tools, designed to work with AI agents (Windsurf, Cursor, Claude Coder, etc.). It creates targeted backups of files and folders with context preservation, allowing quick recovery of code states before critical changes.

How to use Backup Server?

1. Installation:
   • Via Smithery: npx -y @smithery/cli install @hexitex/MCP-Backup-Server --client claude
   • Manually: Clone the repository, install dependencies (npm install), build TypeScript (npm run build), and start the server (npm start)
2. Configuration:
   • Set environment variables: BACKUP_DIR, EMERGENCY_BACKUP_DIR, and MAX_VERSIONS
   • Configure in editor settings (Windsurf or Cursor)
3. Usage:
   • Use commands like backup_create, backup_restore, etc., via MCP tool or natural language prompts.

Key features of Backup Server?

• Context-aware backups that preserve agent reasoning
• Targeted backups for single operations
• Pattern filtering for folder backups
• Version history and restore safety
• Emergency backup before critical operations
• No commit messages or branching required
• Works without repository initialization

Use cases of Backup Server?

1. Creating quick "save points" before refactoring or restructuring code
2. Preserving work state when resuming major coding sessions
3. Emergency recovery before volatile changes
4. Tracking critical changes in AI-assisted editing
5. Redeploying previous versions after errors

FAQ about Backup Server?

• What is the main difference between this and Git?

  Git creates branches and commit history, this creates targeted, context-focused backups without commit messages.

• When should I use a Backup Server vs. Git?

  Backup Server for quick emergency backups, Git for long-term version control and collaboration.

• Does Backup Server support multiple users?

  No, it focuses on single-user, local backup and restore operations.

• Is Backup Server compatible with any IDE?

  It was tested and designed for Windsurf, Cursor, and Claude Coder primarily.

• How are backups stored?

  Complete file copies rather than diffs; stored in local directories (BACKUP_DIR and EMERGENCY_BACKUP_DIR).

MCP Backup Server

A specialized MCP server that provides backup and restoration capabilities for AI agents and code editing tools. Tested in both Cursor and Windsurf editors.

Repository: https://github.com/hexitex/MCP-Backup-Server

Why Use This (Not Git)

This system serves a different purpose than Git:

Pros:

• Creates instant, targeted backups with agent context
• Simpler than Git for single-operation safety
• Preserves thought process and intent in backups
• No commit messages or branching required
• Better for AI agents making critical changes
• Works without repository initialization
• Faster for emergency "save points" during edits

Cons:

• Not for long-term version tracking
• Limited collaboration features
• No merging or conflict resolution
• No distributed backup capabilities
• Not a replacement for proper version control
• Stores complete file copies rather than diffs

When to use: Before risky edits, folder restructuring, or when you need quick safety backups with context.

When to use Git instead: For proper version history, collaboration, and project management.

Features

• Preserves agent context and reasoning
• Creates targeted, minimal backups
• Supports file and folder operations
• Maintains version history
• Provides restore safety
• Uses pattern filtering
• Tracks operations
• Allows cancellation

Setup

Installing via Smithery

To install Backup Server for Claude Desktop automatically via Smithery:

npx -y @smithery/cli install @hexitex/MCP-Backup-Server --client claude

Installing Manually

# Install dependencies
npm install

# Build TypeScript files
npm run build

# Start the backup server
npm start

Config

Env:

• BACKUP_DIR: Backup directory (./.code_backups)
• EMERGENCY_BACKUP_DIR: Emergency backups (./.code_emergency_backups)
• MAX_VERSIONS: Version limit (10)

Configure in editor:

Windsurf MCP config:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "backup": {
      "command": "node",
      "args": ["./dist/index.js"],
      "env": {
        "BACKUP_DIR": "./.code_backups",
        "EMERGENCY_BACKUP_DIR": "./.code_emergency_backups",
        "MAX_VERSIONS": "20"
      }
    }
  }
}

Cursor: Create .cursor/mcp.json with similar config.

Tools

File Operations

• backup_create: Create backup with context
• backup_list: List available backups
• backup_restore: Restore with safety backup

Folder Operations

• backup_folder_create: Backup with pattern filtering
• backup_folder_list: List folder backups
• backup_folder_restore: Restore folder structure

Management

• backup_list_all: List all backups
• mcp_cancel: Cancel operations

When to Use Backups

Only create backups when truly needed:

1. Before Refactoring: When changing important code
2. Before Removing Folders: When reorganizing project structure
3. Multiple Related Changes: When updating several connected files
4. Resuming Major Work: When continuing significant changes
5. Before Restores: Create safety backup before restoring

Keep backups minimal and purposeful. Document why each backup is needed.

Rules for Copy-Paste

Always try to use the backup MCP server for operations that require a backup, listing backups and restoring backups.
Only backup before critical code changes, folder removal, changes to multiple related files, resuming major work, or restoring files.
Keep backups minimal and focused only on files being changed.
Always provide clear context for why a backup is being created.
Use pattern filters to exclude irrelevant files from folder backups.
Use relative file paths when creating backups.
Create emergency backups before restore operations.
Clean up old backups to maintain system efficiency.
Backup tools: backup_create, backup_list, backup_restore, backup_folder_create, backup_folder_list, backup_folder_restore, backup_list_all, mcp_cancel.

For Human Users

Simple commands like these at the start you may have to mention MCP tool

# Back up an important file
"Back up my core file before refactoring"

# Back up a folder before changes
"Create backup of the API folder before restructuring"

# Find previous backups
"Show me my recent backups"

# Restore a previous version
"Restore my core file from this morning"

Agent Examples

Quick Backups

// Before project changes
{
  "name": "mcp0_backup_folder_create",
  "parameters": {
    "folder_path": "./src",
    "include_pattern": "*.{js,ts}",
    "exclude_pattern": "{node_modules,dist,test}/**",
    "agent_context": "Start auth changes"
  }
}

// Before core fix
{
  "name": "mcp0_backup_create",
  "parameters": {
    "file_path": "./src/core.js",
    "agent_context": "Fix validation"
  }
}

Resume Session

// View recent work
{
  "name": "mcp0_backup_list_all",
  "parameters": {
    "include_pattern": "src/**/*.js"
  }
}

// Get last version
{
  "name": "mcp0_backup_restore",
  "parameters": {
    "file_path": "./src/core.js",
    "timestamp": "20250310-055950-000",
    "create_emergency_backup": true
  }
}

Core Changes

// Critical update
{
  "name": "mcp0_backup_create",
  "parameters": {
    "file_path": "./src/core.js",
    "agent_context": "Add validation"
  }
}

// Module update
{
  "name": "mcp0_backup_folder_create",
  "parameters": {
    "folder_path": "./src/api",
    "include_pattern": "*.js",
    "exclude_pattern": "test/**",
    "agent_context": "Refactor modules"
  }
}

Restore Points

// Check versions
{
  "name": "mcp0_backup_list",
  "parameters": {
    "file_path": "./src/core.js"
  }
}

{
  "name": "mcp0_backup_folder_list",
  "parameters": {
    "folder_path": "./src/api"
  }
}

// File restore
{
  "name": "mcp0_backup_restore",
  "parameters": {
    "file_path": "./src/core.js",
    "timestamp": "20250310-055950-000",
    "create_emergency_backup": true
  }
}

// Folder restore
{
  "name": "mcp0_backup_folder_restore",
  "parameters": {
    "folder_path": "./src/api",
    "timestamp": "20250310-055950-000",
    "create_emergency_backup": true
  }
}

Manage

// List recent
{
  "name": "mcp0_backup_list_all",
  "parameters": {
    "include_pattern": "src/**/*.js"
  }
}

// Stop backup
{
  "name": "mcp0_mcp_cancel",
  "parameters": {
    "operationId": "backup_1234"
  }
}

License

MIT