> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://www.towbar.dev/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Backup providers

> Choose and configure the object storage used for managed database backups and restores.

Towbar writes managed database recovery points to an environment-configured
object-storage provider. Each provider has one installation-wide identity, and
only complete configurations appear under **Manage → Integrations → Backup
providers**.

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="AWS S3" icon="cloud" href="/docs/integrations/aws">
    Use an AWS access key scoped to the required buckets, prefixes, versions,
    and KMS keys.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Google Cloud Storage" icon="cloud" href="/docs/integrations/gcp">
    Use a Base64-encoded service-account key with access to the intended bucket.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Azure Blob Storage" icon="cloud" href="/docs/integrations/azure">
    Use a Microsoft Entra service principal scoped to the storage account and
    container.
  </Card>

  <Card title="S3 compatible and R2" icon="cloud" href="/docs/integrations/s3-compatible">
    Configure generic S3-compatible storage or Cloudflare R2 with an explicit
    endpoint and access keys.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Provider configuration and backup policy are separate

The control-plane environment supplies provider identity, endpoint, bucket or
container, and optional prefix. A Resource manifest selects an enabled
destination and declares its schedule and retention policy. Towbar never stores
the provider credential in the manifest or returns it to the browser.

A **Configured** chip means the environment shape passed validation. It does not
prove remote permissions, object retention, or restore readiness. Create a real
backup, verify the stored object, and complete a restore rehearsal before you
rely on a provider for recovery.

Read [Database backups](/docs/backups) for policy configuration and [Restore a
database](/docs/restores) for compatibility and promotion rules.