Restic Browser
A cross-platform graphical interface for browsing and restoring existing restic repositories, with snapshot and file views, ZIP export and recovery to a selected directory; it does not create backups.
What Restic Browser does
Restic Browser helps users inspect snapshots and directories in an existing restic repository, export selected files as a ZIP archive and restore them to a chosen location. It is a recovery browser rather than a complete backup console: snapshot creation, retention, checking and pruning remain separate restic operations.
Passwords, temporary files and recovery
The application relies on a separately installed restic executable. Keep repository passwords out of command history, process arguments and desktop shortcuts, using a restricted password file or a controlled password command instead. Opening a snapshot file can copy it to a temporary directory and hand it to the default application, so sensitive files should first be restored into a controlled directory.
Maintenance note
This page reviews Restic Browser 0.3.3, platform requirements, restic discovery, read-only browsing, recovery checks, temporary files and MIT licensing. Content review date: 2026-08-23.
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Restic Browser 0.3.3 repository browsing and safe restore guide
Configure a separate restic executable and a read-only repository, inspect a few snapshots, restore into an empty directory and compare the result before touching production files.
Before you start
- Prepare an existing restic repository, its password and an empty recovery directory that does not overlap production data.
- Install a trusted restic build and confirm its executable is in PATH or record its absolute path.
- Check Windows 10 and WebView2, macOS 10.13 or newer, and the Linux glibc and WebKit runtime requirements.
Installation steps
- 01
Extract the matching package
Choose the 0.3.3 archive for Windows, macOS or Linux, keep the original package and checksum record, and avoid mixing old configuration formats.
- 02
Check the restic dependency
Run a harmless version or help command in a terminal, then launch the GUI. Desktop launch environments may have a different PATH from the terminal.
- 03
Configure a protected password source
Use a user-readable password file or a controlled password command, and ensure plaintext credentials do not enter shell history, shortcuts or logs.
Quick start
- 01
Open a read-only repository
Enter the local or remote repository location and check repository identity, snapshot host, path and time before browsing.
- 02
Inspect a small sample
Select a few known files and compare size and modification time. Treat an opened temporary copy as sensitive and prefer a controlled restore directory.
- 03
Restore and verify
Restore into a new empty directory, compare file counts, hashes, permissions and application readability, and record the restic and GUI versions.
Usage tips
- A visible snapshot index does not prove every data pack can be restored; schedule repository checks and sample restores separately.
- Remote SFTP, REST or rclone credentials are production secrets and should stay out of synchronized settings, screenshots and support tickets.
- Fix TLS identity, hostname or system-time problems instead of turning off certificate verification for a remote repository.
Troubleshooting and uninstall
Why is restic missing when the GUI starts?
Check architecture, operating-system requirements, WebView or WebKit dependencies and the absolute executable path. Desktop applications often receive a different PATH.
Why does browsing work but restore fail?
Save the error and version details, check destination permissions and free space, and run a read-only repository check before repeating recovery to a new path.
- Save recovery evidenceKeep the verified file list, versions, hashes and recovery notes, while removing temporary password files, plaintext history and obsolete remote tokens.
- Clean temporary copiesExit the application, inspect temporary and recovery-test directories and review recent-file lists before removing the GUI.
Frequently asked questions
Can Restic Browser create scheduled backups?
No. It browses existing restic repositories and exports or restores content. Backup creation, retention and pruning still use restic or another backup manager.
Do I need to install restic separately?
Yes. The GUI invokes a system restic executable, usually discovered through PATH or an explicitly configured absolute path. Record and update both versions.
Does opening a file keep it inside the repository?
The application may copy an opened file to a system temporary directory and pass it to the default program. Treat that copy as sensitive and clean it after controlled review.