Paperless-ngx backup and restore process

Apps and Virtualization
1

Hi,

I am currently running paperless-ngx on a separate machine as a docker-compose container. Backup and restore works like this:

$ cd /path/to/paperless
$ docker compose exec webserver <command> <arguments>

where command is either “document_exporter” or “document_importer” and argument is either the path where the backup is going to be stored or the zipfile containing the backup.
How can I do this within the truenas app? I have understood that truenas apps are launched via docker-compose, as in my stand-alone server. However, I would like to know where I can find the docker-compose yaml files within the truenas directory tree so that I can try to run the commands from there.
I am running truenas scale 24.10.1.
Thanks for any hint!

2

I had problems with apps with postges under TrueNAS, so I installed the dockge app an run immich, nextcloud and paperless under dockge, where I can easily edit my yml- and env-files.

The only think I miss is the update-notification for the apps.

3

Ok, the solution is easy.
Go to the apps page, and there to the tile named “Workload”. There you can access the paperless docker shell. Start the shell and start the backup/restore using the commands document_exporter / document importer directly.

4

Is there a way to backup the entire docker containers? I have tried this method, but it keeps the backup inside the container, I need to get the backup outside of the container itself, so either the Cloud Sync and get it on the TrueNAS Scale OR I can send to a Windows Share to be backed up off-site via 3rd party.

5

I have linked the export directory to a nfs share. From there I can move / copy the backup zip file to another storage facility.

6

I have paperless running under dockge, where can I find on my TrueNAS the path, where paperless is installed, so I can use the exporter:

sudo docker-compose exec webserver document_exporter [zielverzeichnis]

How can a backup (export) be done automatical?

7

Okay, got it, and run the exporter from the shell:
Get the container name:

docker ps | grep 'paperless'

Then run the exporter:

docker exec paperless-ngx-webserver-1 document_exporter ../export/ -z

Now this just needs to be run automaticly

8

You can run it as a cron job in TrueNAS (System → Advanced Settings → Cron Jobs)

9

Thanks, that’s what I did now.
Have just to firgue out now why the user and group changed.