| name | evaluate-backup-options |
| description | Recommend the best-fit backup strategy for the project given its data inventory and the user's available infrastructure. Produces a ranked options brief with trade-offs. Use after architecture and inventory are mapped. |
Evaluate Backup Options
Synthesize the data inventory and the available infrastructure into 2–3 concrete strategy options, with a clear recommendation.
Inputs to load
backup-plan/01-architecture.mdbackup-plan/02-data-inventory.md- All
reference_backup_* memory files (see save-backup-infra)
If any are missing, run the corresponding upstream skill first.
Evaluation axes
For each candidate strategy, score against:
- RPO/RTO fit — does it meet the tiers in the inventory?
- 3-2-1 compliance — 3 copies, 2 media, 1 offsite. Flag gaps.
- Encryption — at rest and in transit. Client-side encryption is preferred for untrusted destinations.
- Immutability / ransomware resistance — append-only repos, object-lock, versioning.
- Cost — storage + egress + per-request. Factor restore cost, not just storage.
- Operational complexity — who runs it, how it's monitored, how restore is tested.
- Vendor lock-in — is the repo format portable (restic, borg) or proprietary?
Tooling shortlist (match to data type)
- Filesystem / mixed files: restic, borg, kopia, rclone (sync-only, no snapshots)
- Postgres:
pg_dump / pg_dumpall for logical, pg_basebackup + WAL for PITR, or managed provider snapshots
- MySQL/MariaDB:
mysqldump, mariabackup, or managed snapshots
- SQLite:
VACUUM INTO or file copy with WAL checkpoint
- MongoDB:
mongodump, or Ops Manager
- Redis (persistent): RDB + AOF copy
- Object storage: provider-native versioning + cross-region replication, or rclone to a second provider
- Kubernetes: Velero for cluster + PV backup
- VMs: provider snapshots, or Proxmox Backup Server / Veeam
- Config / secrets: encrypted repo (restic/borg) or dedicated secret-manager export
Output
Write to backup-plan/03-options.md:
# Backup Strategy Options
## Option A — <name>
- Tooling: ...
- Destinations: ...
- RPO/RTO delivered: ...
- 3-2-1 status: ...
- Monthly cost estimate: ...
- Pros / Cons
## Option B — ...
## Recommendation
<which option, why, what open questions remain>
End with an explicit ask to the user to approve one option before moving to document-backup-strategy.
