# bup > Backup system based on the Git packfile format, providing incremental saves and global deduplication. > More information: . - Initialize a backup repository in a given local directory: `bup {{[-d|--bup-dir]}} {{path/to/repository}} init` - Prepare a given directory before taking a backup: `bup {{[-d|--bup-dir]}} {{path/to/repository}} index {{path/to/directory}}` - Backup a directory to the repository specifying its name: `bup {{[-d|--bup-dir]}} {{path/to/repository}} save {{[-n|--name]}} {{backup_name}} {{path/to/directory}}` - Show the backup snapshots currently stored in the repository: `bup {{[-d|--bup-dir]}} {{path/to/repository}} ls` - Restore a specific backup snapshot to a target directory: `bup {{[-d|--bup-dir]}} {{path/to/repository}} restore {{[-C|--outdir]}} {{path/to/target_directory}} {{backup_name}}`