Arius hosts — choosing CLI, Web, or Explorer¶
Arius is one repository format with three front-ends (hosts). They all read and write the same encrypted Azure Blob container, so you can point any of them at the same repository — they differ only in where they run and how much they can do. Pick the one that fits the task.
| Host | What it's for | Runs on |
|---|---|---|
CLI (arius) |
The full toolset, scriptable — archive, restore, list, snapshot list/diff, repair. The only host that can archive headless (a server, a NAS). | Windows · Linux · macOS |
| Web | A self-hosted browser UI (Arius.Api + Angular, Docker) to archive, restore, browse, time-travel across snapshots, and read cost/statistics. | any (browser) |
| Explorer | A Windows desktop app for browsing and restoring the latest state of a repository, with a familiar folder tree. | Windows only |
Feature comparison¶
| Capability | Explorer | CLI | Web |
|---|---|---|---|
| Browse a repository (folders + files) | ✅ | arius ls |
✅ |
| See per-file state (on disk / in cloud / archived) | ✅ (status dots) | partial | ✅ |
| Restore / download files to disk | ✅ | arius restore |
✅ |
| Archive (back up) new files | ❌ | arius archive |
✅ |
| Pick an older snapshot / version | ❌ (latest only) | arius snapshot list, restore -v |
✅ (snapshot bar) |
| Compare two snapshots (what changed) | ❌ | arius snapshot diff |
❌ |
| Repair the chunk index | ❌ | arius repair-index |
— |
| Runs on | Windows only | Windows / Linux / macOS | any (browser) |
A few load-bearing distinctions behind the grid:
- Only the CLI and Web archive. Explorer is browse + restore only and always opens the container read-only; archiving from a desktop client was removed. Use the CLI for headless or scripted backups (servers, NAS), and either the CLI or Web for interactive ones.
- Snapshots and versions. Every archive run records a snapshot — a
point-in-time view. The CLI lists them with
arius snapshot listand shows what changed between any two witharius snapshot diff; the Web has a snapshot/time-travel bar; Explorer only ever shows the latest. To restore an older version, usearius restore -vor the Web snapshot bar. - Repository repair is CLI-only.
arius repair-indexrebuilds a corrupt or incomplete chunk index; there is no UI equivalent.
See also¶
- Arius CLI — the full command-line toolset (all platforms).
- Arius Web — the self-hosted browser host.
- Arius Explorer — the Windows browse/restore desktop app.
- Glossary — snapshot, pointer file, chunk, storage tier, and other terms.