# linuxmint/timeshift

System restore tool for Linux. Creates filesystem snapshots using rsync+hardlinks, or BTRFS snapshots. Supports scheduled snapshots, multiple backup levels, and exclude filters. Snapshots can be restored while system is running or from Live CD/USB.

Repository: https://github.com/linuxmint/timeshift
Canonical: https://ross.abutalabs.com/products/linuxmint-timeshift
Language: Vala
License Family: other
Last push: 2026-04-08T17:44:08+00:00

## Health v2 (maintenance only)
Score: 73/100 (v2, computed 2026-09-02T17:46:02.011165+00:00)
- activity 76, release rhythm 54, longevity 100
- inputs: {"age_days": 1563, "days_push": 147, "days_rel": 147, "gap_med": 108.0, "n_releases_24m": 3}
- flags: no_license
- formula: round(0.45*activity + 0.35*rhythm + 0.20*longevity); archived -> min(score, 10)

## Adoption (not part of the score)
Stars 4253, forks 152 (observed 2026-08-28T04:08:40.437173+00:00)

## What it is
Timeshift is a Linux system restore application that protects the system by taking incremental filesystem snapshots using rsync with hardlinks or native BTRFS snapshots. It supports scheduled snapshot levels (hourly, daily, weekly, monthly, boot) and can restore snapshots while the system is running or from a Live CD/USB.

## Use cases
- restore my linux system after a bad update
- take scheduled snapshots of my system files
- create btrfs snapshots on ubuntu-type subvolume layout
- undo system changes like windows system restore on linux
- roll back the os from a live usb
- set up automatic boot snapshots

## When to choose
- you want a Windows System Restore / Time Machine-like tool for Linux system files
- you need incremental snapshots that save disk space via rsync hardlinks or BTRFS
- you want minimal setup with cron-based scheduled snapshots
- you need to restore a running system or from a Live CD/USB

## When to avoid
- you need to back up personal files like documents, pictures, and music - use BackInTime instead
- your BTRFS layout does not use Ubuntu-type @ and @home subvolumes
- you need cross-platform backup for non-Linux systems

## Facets
- artifact type: application
- maturity: active
- function: backup, file-system, scheduling, developer-tools
- domain: self-hosted, operating-systems, files
- platform: -
- tags: system-restore, snapshots, rsync, btrfs, linux-mint, xapp, automation, linux

## Member repositories
- linuxmint/timeshift (main) score 73

## Provenance
- Observed fields: from GitHub, fetched 2026-08-28T04:08:40.437173+00:00.
- Health v2: computed from the inputs above; adoption is never an input.
- Inferred fields (summary, facets, guidance): AI-extracted, prompt v1, taxonomy v1, on 2026-08-29T18:22:10.315411+00:00, confidence not recorded.
  - readme: https://github.com/linuxmint/timeshift (fetched 2026-08-28T04:08:40.437173+00:00, sha 5d64e51fa917)
- Data as of 2026-08-30T08:39:29.467469+00:00.