> ## Knowledge Base Index
> Fetch the complete knowledge base index at: https://help.faaaster.io/sitemap.xml
> Use this file to discover available pages before exploring further.
> Pure-Markdown content can be obtained by appending a '.md' suffix to the content URLs listed in the sitemap (without the trailing slash).

# How do I export my Faaaster site?

The site's **Tools** tab, **Backup & migration** section, offers **Export files** — "Download your site files". Click **Export**, then **Launch the export**: the preparation starts.

## Exporting

1. Open the site, **Tools** tab.
2. **Backup & migration** section, **Export files** row.
3. Click **Export**: the **Export files** window opens.

![The Export files row, in the Backup & migration section.](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/9/d/2/d/9d2d3e0b7134b800/act-outils-export-en_18um1nu.png)
4. Click **Launch the export**. The **Logs** field tracks the preparation.
5. Once the export is ready, click **Download files** and **Download database**.

## When should you export?

- **Before archiving a site** — archiving deletes all backups.
- To keep a copy outside Faaaster.
- To migrate the site to another host.

## Files and database

The export produces **two separate downloads** — **Download files** and **Download database**. Despite its label, "Export files", the row therefore also exports your database.

Once the export is complete, you can run it again with **Launch a new export**.

Both archives have an explicit name: `…-fichiers.tar.gz` and `…-base-de-donnees.sql.gz`.

## How long does the export remain available?

**Each download link is valid for 24 hours.** After that, it expires.

The **History** button, next to **Export**, lists your latest exports with their status (**Completed**, **In progress**, **Failed**). Open a completed export, then click **Prepare downloads**: new **Files** and **Database** links are generated. If the files of that export are no longer available, run a new export.

> **An export's files remain available for 7 days**, and each download link is valid for 24 hours. During those 7 days, **History** lets you generate new links; after that, run a new export.

> **Download the archive as soon as it's ready.** It's the only way to keep a lasting copy.

This is also what makes an export better than a backup for long-term archiving: once the file is on your side, it no longer expires, whereas Faaaster backups are deleted as they rotate and the archive of a cancelled site is only guaranteed for 30 days.

👉 [How do I archive or delete a site?](https://help.faaaster.io/en-us/article/archive-or-delete-a-site-16xrc3h/) · [How do I import a database?](https://help.faaaster.io/en-us/article/import-a-database-gwm27s/)