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Data Storage & Backup

Kshan stores tracked data locally first. Choose where it lives from Preferences → Data & Storage:

  • Offline only — nothing leaves your device. Maximum privacy; this is the default for new installs.
  • Offline with backups — still fully local, but you can back up to and restore from a cloud storage folder of your choice.
  • Cloud backup — syncs to your Kshan account, enabling cloud restore and server-side AI features (see Subscription & Billing).
caution

Switching from an offline mode to Cloud backup only syncs activity recorded after the switch — nothing you tracked while offline gets uploaded retroactively. Kshan warns you about this in a confirmation dialog before applying the change.

note

Cloud sync is per-device backup, not multi-device aggregation — Kshan doesn't currently merge activity tracked on two different machines into one combined view.

:::info Media needed — Screenshot Capture: Preferences → Data & Storage, with the three mode options visible and one selected. Suggested file: static/img/screenshots/data-storage-modes.png :::

Backing up to Dropbox / OneDrive / Google Drive / iCloud Drive​

With Offline with backups selected, a Backup destinations card appears in Preferences, listing each service:

  • Connect — for Dropbox, OneDrive, and Google Drive, paste an access token (there's no OAuth flow yet, so tokens are entered manually and can expire, requiring you to paste a new one). For iCloud Drive, it's a one-tap connect (requires iCloud Drive enabled in System Settings).
  • Back up now — uploads a timestamped snapshot on demand.
  • Restore latest — downloads the newest backup. You need to restart Kshan for a restore to actually take effect.
  • Disconnect — removes the connection.
caution

Backups are manual only — there's no scheduled/automatic backup yet — and are stored unencrypted on the destination service. Treat the destination folder's own access controls as your only protection for that data.

:::info Media needed — Screenshot Capture: The "Backup destinations" card with at least one service connected, showing the Connect/Back up now/Restore latest/Disconnect actions and the connected-account/last-backup info. Suggested file: static/img/screenshots/backup-destinations-card.png :::