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GSB

GSB is a free, open-source tool for managing game-save backups with Git.

Place
#23 of 27
Score
5.6
GSB's website

What GSB is

GSB is a free, open-source tool for managing game-save backups with Git. It supports automated incremental checkpoints, restoring a selected save, history navigation, compression and cleaning, and branches. Backups can be untagged for routine checkpoints or tagged as notable restore points. Rewinding restores the selected state as a new commit, preserving later changes in the history. GSB is a lightweight Git wrapper, so Git and other Git-based tools can also work with a repository it manages. The recommended interface is the command line. GSB requires Python 3.11 or newer and can be installed with pipx, pip, or in a conda or other virtual environment. It is listed for Linux, macOS, and Windows; the documentation also displays SteamOS and Raspberry Pi badges. The guide says GSB cannot manage individual files separately when they are in the same folder. Deleting a backup removes its restore point from history, but Git garbage collection is needed to reclaim the stored objects' disk space. The executable, source, and documentation are published under GPL v3 unless otherwise stated.

Good

  • Automates incremental backups of game saves.
  • Supports tagged restore points and history navigation.
  • Restoring a state preserves later changes in history.
  • Git tools can work with GSB-managed repositories.

Watch out

  • Requires Python 3.11 or newer.
  • Cannot manage files individually when they share a folder.
  • Git garbage collection is needed to reclaim deleted backup data.

Who it suits

GSB suits players who want to back up and restore game saves, including Steam and Minecraft saves. It is a fit for users comfortable with a command-line interface and Git-based workflows.

Verdict

GSB provides a Git-based approach to incremental game-save backups, with restore points and history tools. Its folder-based file handling and command-line workflow may not suit every player.

The facts

Each one read from GSB's own pages, with the date it was checked.

What it does

Backup deletion
Deleting a backup rewrites history but does not immediately reclaim disk space; permanently removing the data requires Git garbage collection.checked 9 Oct 2026
Backup features
The project lists automated incremental backups, save restores, history navigation, history compression and cleaning, and branch support among its features.checked 9 Oct 2026
Backup types
GSB supports untagged backups for routine checkpoints and tagged backups for notable restore points.checked 9 Oct 2026
Command-line interface
The maker recommends interacting with GSB through its command-line interface.checked 9 Oct 2026
Current limitation
The guide says GSB does not currently support managing individual files separately when they are in the same folder.checked 9 Oct 2026
Deleting backups
Deleting a backup removes its restore point from history but does not immediately reclaim disk space; the guide says Git garbage collection is needed to prune the stored objects.checked 9 Oct 2026
Git compatibility
GSB is a lightweight wrapper around Git, and the documentation says you can also use Git or other Git based tools on a GSB managed repository.checked 9 Oct 2026
Installation
The maker documents installation with pipx, pip, or within a conda environment.checked 9 Oct 2026
Install options
The installation guide describes installing GSB with pipx or pip, including within a conda or other virtual environment.checked 9 Oct 2026
Intended users
The maker presents GSB for players who want to back up and restore game saves, including Steam and Minecraft saves.checked 9 Oct 2026
Interface
The recommended way to use GSB is through its command line interface.checked 9 Oct 2026
License
The executable, source code, and documentation are published under the GNU General Public License v3 unless otherwise stated.checked 9 Oct 2026
Purpose
GSB manages incremental backups of game save states using Git.checked 9 Oct 2026
Requirements
GSB requires Python 3.11 or newer and is described as otherwise able to run on any operating system and architecture.checked 9 Oct 2026
Restore behavior
Rewinding restores the selected save state and records it as a new commit, preserving subsequent changes in history.checked 9 Oct 2026
Runtime requirement
GSB requires Python 3.11 or newer.checked 9 Oct 2026
Save selection limit
GSB does not currently support managing individual files separately when they are in the same folder.checked 9 Oct 2026
Security and privacy
The maker's opened documentation describes local Git-based backup management and does not state a security certification or compliance standard.checked 9 Oct 2026
Support
The contribution guide directs users to open a GitHub issue to report bugs or propose features.checked 9 Oct 2026
Support and contributions
The project asks users to open an issue to report a bug or propose a feature or enhancement.checked 9 Oct 2026
Supported systems
The documentation displays platform badges for Linux, SteamOS, Windows, macOS, and Raspberry Pi.checked 9 Oct 2026

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