A simple backup and update routine for your TGGroups site

Your links, members and statistics live in your database. A good routine protects them and makes updates boring — which is exactly how updates should be.

Automatic database backups

1. Open Settings › Database backups, turn on automatic backups and choose how often (daily is right for most directories) and how many copies to keep.
2. Add one cron job in cPanel: * * * * * cd /path/to/site && php artisan schedule:run.
3. Download a backup now and then and keep it off the server — on your computer or cloud storage.

Backups are gzip-compressed SQL files that work for MySQL, MariaDB and SQLite, made without needing mysqldump on the server.

Your files

Link pictures, logos and blog covers are in public/uploads; your settings are in .env. Include both in your hosting's own backup, or zip them from File Manager once a month. Many hosts also offer account-level backups — ask yours.

Updating TGGroups

1. Read the changelog on the Changelog page and in your client area.
2. Take a database backup and a copy of your files.
3. Upload the new version over the old files, keeping .env, storage and public/uploads.
4. Run php artisan migrate --force if the changelog mentions database changes, then php artisan license:reseal (or press Verify now under Admin › License).
5. Open System info › Clear cache, then check the homepage, a link page and the admin dashboard.