Choosing the sources

Select the directories to back up from the Sources screen, with a size estimate.

Last updated: May 18, 2026

The Sources screen (key 3) defines which directories of the host are included in the backup.

Adding a source

The screen shows a file picker: you browse the host’s filesystem and add the directories to back up. Each directory added becomes a source of the backup.

On the right, the source details panel shows, for the selected source:

  • the path;
  • the name of the matching .pxar archive (Cloud-PBS TUI derives this name from the path);
  • the estimated size;
  • any exclusions.

Size estimate

For each source, the tool estimates the size of the data involved. This estimate helps size the datastore and anticipate how long the first backup will take. It is computed in the background; an indicator shows the calculation in progress.

The estimate reflects the size of the data on disk. The actual backup is usually more compact: Proxmox Backup Server deduplicates and compresses the data, and subsequent backups only transfer the changed blocks.

Multiple sources

A configuration can hold several sources. Each one produces its own archive in the backup. Grouping meaningful directories (for example /etc, /home, /var) into separate sources later makes a targeted restore easier.

Next step

With the sources defined, you can schedule backups or run a backup right away.