Backing Up and Restoring Your ICARUS Server

Backing Up and Restoring Your ICARUS Server

All ICARUS server data — configuration, prospect saves, and player data — is contained within the Icarus\Saved\ directory. Backing up this single directory is sufficient to protect everything important.

What Is Stored in Icarus\Saved\

Icarus\Saved\
├── Config\
│   └── WindowsServer\
│       └── ServerSettings.ini       ← Server configuration
├── PlayerData\
│   ├── DedicatedServer\
│   │   └── Prospects\               ← Prospect (session) save files (.json)
│   └── [SteamID folders]\           ← Individual player character data
└── Logs\                            ← Server log files

Creating a Backup

Manual Backup (Linux)

Stop the server first, then copy the Saved directory:

# Stop your server first, then run:
cp -r /path/to/Icarus/Saved /path/to/backups/Saved_$(date +%Y%m%d_%H%M%S)

Compressed Backup

For a smaller backup file:

tar -czf /path/to/backups/icarus_backup_$(date +%Y%m%d).tar.gz /path/to/Icarus/Saved

Backing Up Only Prospects

If you only want to back up prospect saves (not all player data):

cp -r /path/to/Icarus/Saved/PlayerData/DedicatedServer/Prospects /path/to/backups/Prospects_$(date +%Y%m%d)

Restoring from Backup

Full Restore

1. Stop the server
2. Delete or rename the current Icarus\Saved\ directory
3. Copy your backup into place:

cp -r /path/to/backups/Saved_20260427_120000 /path/to/Icarus/Saved

4. Start the server

Restoring a Single Prospect

To restore a single prospect without affecting other data:

1. Stop the server
2. Copy the prospect .json file back to Icarus\Saved\PlayerData\DedicatedServer\Prospects\
3. Start the server

Automating Backups

A simple cron job to back up daily at 3 AM and retain 7 days of backups:

# Add to crontab (crontab -e)
0 3 * * * cp -r /path/to/Icarus/Saved /path/to/backups/Saved_$(date +\%Y\%m\%d) && find /path/to/backups -name "Saved_*" -mtime +7 -exec rm -rf {} \;

If you are using the DustBowl.Games WISP panel, automated backups can be configured directly in the panel's backup settings.

What Is NOT Included in Backups

The Icarus\Saved\ directory does not include:

• Server binary files (these are restored via SteamCMD app_update)
• Mod .pak files (back up Icarus\Content\Paks\mods\ separately if needed)

Best Practices

• Back up before every server update
• Keep at least 3–7 days of rolling backups
• Test restores periodically to confirm your backups are valid
• Store backups in a separate location from the server (different disk or remote storage)

Related

• Updating Your ICARUS Dedicated Server
• Managing ICARUS Prospects and Session Saves
• Host an ICARUS server with DustBowl.Games