NativeBackup

NativeBackup beta 0.1.1

NativeBackup beta 0.1.1 is a Valheim backup plugin that adds fast in-game backup triggers on top of Valheim's native backup system.

Ground Truth (Current Build)

NativeBackup currently provides:

• Esc-menu Backup button integrated under Save.
• Console commands: sb.backup, sb.backup world, sb.backup char, sb.list.
• Automatic timed backups (optional) via config.
• Native backup creation through Valheim save APIs.
• Save-before-backup synchronization through current-version ZNet save flow.
• Single-flight execution with cooldown guard.
• Minimalist UX messaging with duration in completion/failure toasts.
• Flashing top-right backup indicator while backup is running.

Backup Pipeline

Every trigger path (button, command, timer) follows the same pipeline:

• Resolve requested target intent.
• Enter coordinator gate (no overlap, 5-second cooldown).
• Trigger native save sync via ZNet.Save(false, true, false) on main thread.
• Wait for ZNet.SaveDoneTime to advance.
• Create native backup(s) for selected target(s).
• Emit concise completion/failure toast with elapsed time.

Important behavior details:

• Explicit target commands are strict.
• sb.backup world will not silently fall back to character.
• sb.backup char will not silently fall back to world.
• Backup sync is current-version only and does not use legacy trigger discovery fallbacks.
• If save completion cannot be confirmed within timeout, backup is canceled to avoid stale snapshots.

User Experience

Design goals are minimal and informative:

• No center-screen backup spam.
• Flashing top-right backup badge while backup is running.
• Backup button is grayed out while backup is running or cooldown is active.
• Concise top-left toast on completion/failure/cancel with timing.

Examples:

• Backup complete (1.8s): world 'MyWorld' and character 'test'.
• Backup failed (1.2s): requested target unavailable.
• Backup canceled (2.0s): could not confirm current save state.
• Backup on cooldown.
• Backup already running.

Target Rules

• Hosted local world:
• sb.backup world backs up world.
• sb.backup char backs up character.
• Esc button and sb.backup attempt both.
• Non-host/client session:
• sb.backup world is blocked.
• Character backup paths remain available when character save is resolvable.

Commands

• sb.backup - backup current available targets.
• sb.backup world - world only (host required).
• sb.backup char - character only.
• sb.list - lists legacy archive index entries.

Cooldown behavior:

• Backup actions use a 5-second cooldown window.
• During cooldown, the Esc-menu Backup button remains disabled (grayed out).

Configuration

Config file: com.aloncifer.nativebackup.cfg

• BackupIntervalMinutes: timed backup interval. 0 disables scheduler.
• MaxBackupsPerSave: maximum number of native backups kept per save target.

Retention behavior:

• Native backups are pruned after each successful backup so only the newest MaxBackupsPerSave entries remain per save.
• Setting the value to 0 disables pruning.

Build and Install

• Build target:.NET Framework 4.6.2.
• Build command: dotnet build NativeBackup.sln -c Release.
• Output: src/bin/Release/net462/NativeBackup.dll.
• Install DLL to BepInEx plugins folder.

Notes

• The backup badge uses IMGUI; icon glyph rendering can vary by system font.
• Native restore/list rendering is still Valheim-owned UI behavior.
• This build targets current Valheim save APIs and intentionally removes legacy trigger compatibility paths.