> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://biobase.mintlify.site/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Backup and sync

> Turn on backup for a workspace, read its sync state, and bring it to another device.

## Turning backup on

Select **Show backup and sync** in the Data Agent header. In **Backup and sync**, choose the **Local workspace** folder if the workspace has none, then turn on **Back up this folder**. The switch reads: "BioBase uploads every file in this folder to Infera Cloud while backup is on." The [excluded files](#what-is-not-backed-up) stay on this device.

To change the folder, turn off backup first.

BioBase syncs every 30 seconds while the app is open. **Sync now** runs a pass immediately.

## Sync states

| State | Meaning |
| - | - |
| **Local** | The files exist only on this device, or one side has changes the other doesn't. With uploads waiting: "Files on this device are not in Infera Cloud." |
| **Cloud** | The files are in Infera Cloud and not on this device: "Opening this workspace downloads it to this device." |
| **Synced** | The folder and the newest cloud version match. |
| **Diverged** | "N files changed in both places. Choose a version for each." |

Offline, the chip adds a wifi-off icon. A cloud workspace reads "Reconnect to download this workspace." and a synced one reads "Last compared at the previous sync."

The same chip appears on each workspace row in the sidebar.

## Opening a workspace on another device

Open the workspace from **Open existing session**, and BioBase downloads its files. While files are still outstanding, the panel shows **Files on Infera Cloud** with **Download to this device**.

## Version history

Infera Cloud keeps the "Latest 30 per workspace and device". The panel lists the newest 12.

**Restore to folder** brings a version of this workspace back into its folder. BioBase downloads the whole version before it changes any file; see [restoring a version](/your-data/conflicts-and-deletion#restoring-a-version) for how it treats files you've edited. **Save a copy** saves any version, including one from another device, as a separate copy on this device, then offers **Open restored copy**.

## What is not backed up

Directories:

`.aws`, `.biobase`, `.git`, `.gnupg`, `.hg`, `.mypy_cache`, `.next`, `.pytest_cache`, `.ruff_cache`, `.ssh`, `.svn`, `.tox`, `.venv`, `__pycache__`, `logs`, `node_modules`, `venv`

Files:

`.DS_Store`, `.env` and `.env.*`, `.git-credentials`, `.htpasswd`, `.netrc`, `.npmrc`, `.pypirc`, `id_dsa`, `id_ecdsa`, `id_ed25519`, `id_rsa`, `Thumbs.db`

Extensions:

`.pem`, `.p12`, `.pfx`, `.jks`, `.keystore`, `.log`

Matching ignores letter case. Symlinks and paths longer than 1,024 characters are also excluded. The list is the same on every device. `.key` files are backed up.

Versions backed up before a file type joined this list keep those files until the versions leave version history.

Backup doesn't include terminal transcripts. The sign-in screen states: "Cloud backup is a separate setting. Enabling it uploads project files and excludes generated terminal transcripts."

## Storage

Backed-up files count toward your account's storage. Storage above the included 15 GB uses credits from the same weekly allowance as analyses. See [Data Agent settings](/settings/data-agent).

## Freeing disk space

In Settings, **Data Agent**, **Local storage**, turn on **Clear local files after a verified backup**.

<Warning>
  "This is the only BioBase setting that deletes your data from this device"
</Warning>

The confirmation reads: "BioBase removes the local files a verified backup can restore, and reports every file it keeps with the reason." "Opening a cleared workspace downloads its files back to this device." Choose **Keep files on this device** or **Turn on clearing**.

A kept file carries one of these reasons:

* "Edited on this device since the backup"
* "Absent from the verified backup"
* "Path too long for Infera Cloud"


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