Getting started¶
Two short pages get you from nothing to a first backup:
- Install Deucalion: download it and run its installer. About 5 minutes.
- Your first backup: prepare a backup drive and back up. About 15 minutes, plus the time it takes to copy your files.
What you need¶
- A computer with Ubuntu 24.04 or newer (the Ubuntu Desktop, as installed from ubuntu.com). On Ubuntu 22.04, Deucalion works from the command line only.
- An external drive with enough space for your home folder: a USB hard disk or SSD. A drive twice the size of your home folder leaves room for old versions of files.
- An internet connection for the installation.
- Your administrator password (the password you type to log in to Ubuntu, if you are the computer's main user). It is needed for a few steps, and Ubuntu asks for it when needed.
Not sure how much space your home folder uses?
Open the Files app, right-click Home, and choose Properties. The size is shown at the top. Deucalion also shows the size of everything it will copy before it copies anything.
Using the app or the terminal¶
Everything in Deucalion can be done in two ways:
- The app: a window with buttons, like other Ubuntu apps. This is the easiest way.
- The command line: commands you type in a terminal window, such as
deucalion backup. Useful if you prefer typing, or on a computer without a desktop.
Every tutorial on this site shows both, in tabs. Choose the tab you want once; the other pages remember your choice.
You'll see screenshots and the names of buttons, in bold.
You'll see the commands to type, and what Deucalion prints back.
Opening a terminal (only needed for the command line)¶
A terminal is a window where you type commands. To open one:
- Press Ctrl+Alt+T. A window with a blinking cursor opens.
- Type a command (or paste it with Ctrl+Shift+V), then press Enter.
When a command asks a question, type the answer and press Enter. When it asks for a password, nothing appears on screen while you type: that is normal. Type it and press Enter.