setup-snapper-config

name	setup-snapper-config
description	Use when the user wants snapper to start managing a subvolume.

Setup Snapper Config

Initialize snapper management for a BTRFS subvolume that isn't yet covered.

When to use

• First-time setup of snapper on a subvolume
• Extending snapper to a new mount point
• Establishing retention policies for a partition

Inputs to gather

• Config name (e.g., root, home)
• Mount path (e.g., /, /home)
• Retention preferences (optional; timeline snapshots, keep-last count)

Procedure

1. Preflight: Verify mount path is BTRFS with stat -f -c %T <path>. Verify snapper is installed.
2. Run sudo snapper -c <name> create-config <path>.
3. List the created config at /etc/snapper/configs/<name> and ask user about retention:
   • TIMELINE_CREATE (auto hourly snapshots; yes/no)
   • NUMBER_LIMIT (keep-last count; suggest 5–10)
4. If user provides values: Edit /etc/snapper/configs/<name> with new settings.
5. Confirm snapper is running: sudo systemctl status snapper-timeline.timer.

Output / side effects

Snapper config created and initialized. Timeline snapshots may start automatically if TIMELINE_CREATE=yes.

Safety / constraints

Modifies /etc/snapper/configs/. Requires sudo. Should not touch system files outside the snapper config directory.