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Claude Code backup checklist: can your Windows workspace recover?

Check local state locations, repositories, credentials, retention, storage separation and recovery proof for native Windows Claude Code.

DIRECT ANSWER

What you need to know

A recoverable Claude Code setup needs known state locations, separate repository protection, credential exclusions, a backup away from the PC, useful earlier recovery points, and a recent reconstruction test in a separate folder. A copied .claude directory by itself is not enough evidence.

The ten-point recoverability check

  1. 01

    You know the active Claude directory

    You confirmed the native Windows location and any CLAUDE_CONFIG_DIR override.

  2. 02

    You know the project instruction scopes

    Relevant CLAUDE.md and .claude locations are identified.

  3. 03

    Repositories have their own protection

    Committed code is pushed and important uncommitted work has a deliberate backup.

  4. 04

    Credentials stay excluded

    Tokens, private keys and secret-bearing configuration are not copied casually.

  5. 05

    A copy survives device loss

    At least one protected destination is separate from the Windows disk.

  6. 06

    Integrity failures are detectable

    Missing or modified backup data fails before recovery publication.

  7. 07

    Useful history is retained

    An earlier point can predate accidental deletion or corruption.

  8. 08

    Recovery uses a safe folder first

    The first action does not overwrite live Claude Code state.

  9. 09

    A recent point was reconstructed

    Recovery was actually tested rather than inferred from a completed copy.

  10. 10

    The scope is explicit

    Native Windows, WSL, Claude Desktop, cloud sessions and original project files are not blurred together.

When to repeat the check

Repeat it after changing CLAUDE_CONFIG_DIR, moving projects, changing backup destinations, adding important memory or customisations, or after a material Claude Code format change. A once-correct plan can become stale.

How to interpret the result

  • 8-10 checks: the plan is credible; keep testing after meaningful changes
  • 5-7 checks: recoverability still has important gaps
  • 0-4 checks: a local failure could remove important continuity
THE CALMBU BOUNDARY

What Calmbu currently claims

Calmbu shows the current supported scope, safer exclusions, encrypted protection, recovery status, and safe-folder recovery. Claude Code is launch-supported on native Windows.

See the recovery model How Calmbu verifies its claims

Common questions

How often should I test Claude Code recovery?

Test after setup, after storage or configuration changes, and periodically after material Claude Code updates.

Is a synced .claude folder enough?

Sync can help with device loss, but it does not by itself prove versioned, integrity-checked reconstruction. Deletion or corruption may also sync.

What is the most important check?

Reconstruct a recent point in a separate folder and inspect it. That exposes more gaps than a copy-completed message.

SOURCE BOUNDARY

Official references used for Claude Code facts

Anthropic documentation establishes Claude Code behaviour. Calmbu-specific statements describe the current product contract and are not presented as Anthropic guidance.

NEXT USEFUL ANSWERS

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