pobsync/docs/development.md

Development Notes

This document contains development and optional Docker workflows. The recommended production path is the native systemd installer documented in the README.

Local Development

python3 -m venv .venv
. .venv/bin/activate
python3 -m pip install -e .
mkdir -p var
python3 manage.py migrate
python3 manage.py createsuperuser
python3 manage.py runserver

The admin is available at:

• http://127.0.0.1:8000/
• http://127.0.0.1:8000/admin/

Staff-only JSON endpoints are available at:

• http://127.0.0.1:8000/api/
• http://127.0.0.1:8000/api/status/

Running Tests

The project test suite is currently run through the Docker image so the runtime dependencies match deployment:

docker compose build web scheduler worker
docker compose run --rm web python manage.py test pobsync_backend --verbosity 2

SQL-First Commands

The Django UI is the normal operating surface, but the pobsync entrypoint remains useful for setup and inspection.

Create global config:

pobsync configure-global --backup-root /mnt/backups/pobsync

Create a host config:

pobsync configure-host <host> --address <host-or-ip>

Run a backup:

pobsync backup <host> --prune

Create or update a schedule:

pobsync schedule <host> --cron "15 2 * * *" --prune

Run the scheduler:

pobsync scheduler --loop --interval 60

Plan or apply retention manually:

pobsync retention <host>
pobsync retention <host> --apply --yes --max-delete 10

Discover snapshots already present on disk:

pobsync discover-snapshots --host <host>

The pobsync executable is a thin wrapper around Django management commands. Direct Django access is also available:

pobsync django check
python3 manage.py run_pobsync_backup <host> --prune

Migration Helpers

Import existing legacy YAML configs:

python3 manage.py import_pobsync_configs --prefix /opt/pobsync

Export SQL config to legacy runtime YAML for inspection or one-off compatibility:

python3 manage.py export_pobsync_configs --prefix /opt/pobsync

These commands are migration helpers, not the normal operating model.

Docker With SQLite

Docker Compose is useful for local development and disposable test installs. Native systemd is preferred for production backup servers.

docker compose up --build web

This starts Django on:

• http://127.0.0.1:8010/
• http://127.0.0.1:8010/admin/
• http://127.0.0.1:8010/api/
• http://127.0.0.1:8010/api/status/

Run the scheduler alongside the web admin:

docker compose up --build web scheduler worker

The web service runs Django through Gunicorn and serves static files with WhiteNoise. The container persists /opt/pobsync and the SQLite database in Docker volumes.

Backup data is always available at /backups inside the containers. By default this uses ./backups on the host. Override the host-side mount with POBSYNC_BACKUP_ROOT:

POBSYNC_BACKUP_ROOT=/mnt/backups/pobsync docker compose up --build web scheduler worker

Docker With MariaDB

docker compose --profile mariadb up --build web-mariadb

With the scheduler:

docker compose --profile mariadb up --build web-mariadb scheduler-mariadb worker-mariadb

SQLite remains the default because it is enough for a single backup server and keeps deployment simple.

For native systemd installs with MariaDB client support, run the installer with:

sudo scripts/install-systemd --install-extras mariadb

Current Architecture

The public command surface is Django-first. The old YAML/cron CLI has been retired from the pobsync entrypoint. Discovered snapshots are stored in SnapshotRecord, including the base snapshot metadata and a nullable SQL link to the base record when it is known.

The Django retention command plans from SnapshotRecord instead of rediscovering snapshots from the filesystem. Post-backup pruning from Django also uses the SQL retention service after the completed snapshot is recorded. Staff-only JSON endpoints expose service status, hosts, snapshots, and backup runs for lightweight inspection. Staff-only dashboard views expose the same operational state through Django templates. Host pages include a safe snapshot discovery action that records existing snapshots into SQL. Host pages also include a read-only SQL retention plan view before any destructive pruning action. Schedules can be created or updated from host pages using the same SQL-backed scheduler model. Host config can be edited from host pages while keeping host identity stable.

The remaining internal engine code still contains reusable backup primitives:

• snapshot naming and metadata
• rsync command construction and execution
• retention planning and pruning
• host locking

Next refactor targets:

• Move more snapshot lifecycle details into typed domain objects.
• Replace remaining dictionary-shaped config at engine boundaries.
• Remove legacy YAML import/export once production migration no longer needs it.