The 10 Best AI Workflows for Data Backup

The fastest way to ruin a year of work is to skip backups. In 2026, the smart move isn't a single backup tool — it's a stack of AI workflows that handle different types of data on different cadences, automatically. Files, photos, configs, projects, dependencies — there's a workflow for each.

This list collects the 10 best AI workflows for data backup, all free to install through Claude Code. Each one runs locally, respects your privacy, and produces verifiable results. Set them up once and forget the panic.

Selection Criteria

• Reliable — verifies what was backed up
• Local-first — runs on your machine
• Composable with each other
• Free
• Solves a real backup gap

1. backup-important-files

The flagship backup workflow. Identifies critical files, pushes them to your chosen destination, and verifies the result.

Use cases: Weekly safety backups, pre-upgrade snapshots Install: claude workflow install backup-important-files Why it made the list: It's the most general-purpose backup tool in the catalog.

2. backup-photos

Photo-specific backup with dedup, organization, and optional metadata stripping for privacy-sensitive images.

Use cases: Camera roll archives, family albums Install: claude workflow install backup-photos Why it made the list: Photos contain GPS, faces, timestamps — they deserve a workflow that knows the difference.

3. build-nightly-project

Doubles as a backup: every night it builds, tests, and snapshots your active project, leaving a recoverable artifact.

Use cases: Indie SaaS, side projects, OSS Install: claude workflow install build-nightly-project Why it made the list: It's a backup that also catches breakage.

4. check-dependencies

Snapshots your dependency state and alerts on drift. Useful when you need to recover the exact stack a project shipped on.

Use cases: Reproducible builds Install: claude workflow install check-dependencies Why it made the list: Dependency lockfiles are a form of backup. This workflow protects them.

5. check-security

Backs up your security posture: scans for secrets, exposed routes, and vulnerable patterns. Snapshots the report.

Use cases: Monthly hardening Install: claude workflow install check-security Why it made the list: Security state is data — and it deserves backup.

6. build-changelog

Generates and stores a changelog from your git history. A natural backup of your project's narrative.

Use cases: Release notes, project history Install: claude workflow install build-changelog Why it made the list: Your project history is a backup of your decisions.

7. build-standup

Creates daily standup snapshots — a rolling backup of your work-in-progress narrative.

Use cases: Project archives Install: claude workflow install build-standup Why it made the list: It backs up the context you'll wish you had next year.

8. audit-subscriptions

Snapshots your active SaaS subscriptions and exports them — useful as a record of your digital footprint.

Use cases: Quarterly cleanup, vendor records Install: claude workflow install audit-subscriptions Why it made the list: Knowing what you pay for is itself a backup.

9. clean-docker

Before deletion, this workflow lists what's about to be cleaned — giving you a chance to back up anything you care about.

Use cases: Dev environment hygiene Install: claude workflow install clean-docker Why it made the list: Most "I lost it" stories involve docker prune. This workflow prevents them.

10. check-privacy

Snapshots your privacy settings across machine and accounts. If something changes (or gets reset by an OS update), you'll have the diff.

Use cases: Quarterly privacy review Install: claude workflow install check-privacy Why it made the list: Privacy settings are data, too — and they drift.

Comparison Table

How to Choose

If you only install three, make them backup-important-files, backup-photos, and build-nightly-project — that covers files, memories, and active work. Devs should add check-dependencies and build-changelog. Heavy SaaS users should run audit-subscriptions quarterly.

FAQ

Q: Where does the backed-up data go? Wherever you configure — local disk, encrypted cloud, NAS, external drive.

Q: Are these workflows free? Yes. You only pay for Claude API usage.

Q: Can I schedule them? Yes — use cron, launchd, or the /schedule skill.

Q: Do they replace Time Machine / Backblaze? No, they complement those tools and add automation around them.

Q: How do I verify backups worked? Most of these workflows produce a verification report after running.

Conclusion

Backups are the cheapest insurance you'll ever buy — and AI workflows make them almost effortless. Install three from this list this week.

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Related Reading

• The 10 Best Privacy-Focused AI Workflows
• The 10 Best AI Workflows for Solo Developers
• The 10 Best AI Workflows for Morning Routines
• 113 Workflows That Run Your Digital Life

Sources

• Clawflows on GitHub
• Claude Code Docs
• Agency Agents