borgbackup/docs/man/borg-key-export.1

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.TH "borg-key-export" "1" "2026-06-16" "" "borg backup tool"
.SH Name
borg-key-export \- Exports a borg key of the repository for backup.
.SH SYNOPSIS
.sp
borg [common options] key export [options] [PATH]
.SH DESCRIPTION
.sp
This command backs up the borg key.
.sp
If repository encryption is used, the repository is inaccessible
without the borg key (and the passphrase that protects the borg key).
If a repository is not encrypted, but authenticated, the borg key is
still needed to access the repository normally.
.sp
For repositories using \fBkeyfile\fP encryption the key is kept locally
on the system that is capable of doing backups. To guard against loss
or corruption of this key, the key needs to be backed up independently
of the main data backup.
.sp
For repositories using \fBrepokey\fP encryption or \fBauthenticated\fP mode
the key is kept in the repository. A backup is thus not strictly needed,
but guards against the repository becoming inaccessible if the key is
corrupted or lost.
.sp
Note that the backup produced does not include the passphrase itself
(i.e. the exported key stays encrypted). In order to regain access to a
repository, one needs both the exported key and the original passphrase.
Keep the exported key and the passphrase at safe places.
.sp
A repository may have more than one borg key (each protected by its own
passphrase, see \fBborg key add\fP). Select which borg key to export with
\fB\-\-label\fP or \fB\-\-key\fP (its key id or a unique prefix, see
\fBborg key list\fP). If the repository has only a single borg key, no
selector is required.
.sp
There are three backup formats. The normal backup format is suitable for
digital storage as a file. The \fB\-\-paper\fP backup format is optimized
for printing and typing in while importing, with per line checks to
reduce problems with manual input. The \fB\-\-qr\-html\fP creates a printable
HTML template with a QR code and a copy of the \fB\-\-paper\fP\-formatted key.
.SH OPTIONS
.sp
See \fIborg\-common(1)\fP for common options of Borg commands.
.SS arguments
.INDENT 0.0
.TP
.B PATH
where to store the backup
.UNINDENT
.SS options
.INDENT 0.0
.TP
.BI \-\-label \ LABEL
export the borg key with this label
.TP
.BI \-\-key \ ID
export the borg key with this id (or unique id prefix)
.TP
.B  \-\-paper
Create an export suitable for printing and later type\-in
.TP
.B  \-\-qr\-html
Create an HTML file suitable for printing and later type\-in or QR scan
.UNINDENT
.SH EXAMPLES
.INDENT 0.0
.INDENT 3.5
.sp
.EX
borg key export > encrypted\-key\-backup
borg key export \-\-paper > encrypted\-key\-backup.txt
borg key export \-\-qr\-html > encrypted\-key\-backup.html
# Or pass the output file as an argument instead of redirecting stdout:
borg key export encrypted\-key\-backup
borg key export \-\-paper encrypted\-key\-backup.txt
borg key export \-\-qr\-html encrypted\-key\-backup.html
.EE
.UNINDENT
.UNINDENT
.SH SEE ALSO
.sp
\fIborg\-common(1)\fP, \fIborg\-key\-import(1)\fP
.SH Author
The Borg Collective
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