borg-key-import(1)

💖 borg-key-import(1) 💖

okay bestie, welcome to borg-key-import — it's part of the borg backup tool and it's literally the glow-up-your-keys chapter of the borg saga. no cap.

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✨ SYNOPSIS ✨

borg [common options] key import [options] [PATH]

that's the whole vibe. borg, some common options, the words key import, a few options, and maybe a PATH if you're feeling generous. 🫶

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🌸 DESCRIPTION 🌸

So here's the tea: this command restores a key that you previously backed up with the export command. it's the uno reverse card for your keys. 🔄

If you pass the --paper option, the import becomes an interactive process — borg goes line by line, checking each one for plausibility before it moves to the next. think of it like a vibe check but for every single line. and heads up: for this format, PATH must not be given. don't do it. it's giving "please don't". 🙈

Where your imported key actually lands is decided by --key-location:

• repokey (the default, the main character): the key is stored in the repository, and no local key file gets written. clean. minimal. ✨
• keyfile: the key is stored in a local key file. very "i keep my secrets close" of it.

Now, which key file --key-location=keyfile writes to depends on a few things, so pay attention bestie:

• If the BORG_KEY_FILE environment variable is set and non-empty, borg key import creates or overwrites the file named by $BORG_KEY_FILE. blunt. direct. iconic.
• Otherwise, borg key import searches the $BORG_KEYS_DIR directory for a key file associated with the repository.
  • If one is found there, borg key import overwrites it.
  • Otherwise, it creates a new key file in $BORG_KEYS_DIR.

so basically it goes: env var? use that. no env var? go hunting in $BORG_KEYS_DIR. found one? overwrite. not found? brand new file, baby. 💅

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🔥 OPTIONS 🔥

See borg-common(1) for common options of Borg commands. (yes, that's a real page, go read it, i'll wait.)

🎀 arguments 🎀

• PATH — path to the backup (- to read from stdin). yes, a literal dash means "read it from stdin", she's flexible like that. 💀

🦋 options 🦋

• --paper — interactively import from a backup done with --paper. every line gets scrutinised, so stay seated and stay honest. 📝
• --key-location LOCATION — where to store the imported key: 'repokey' (in the repository, default) or 'keyfile' (in the local keys directory). pick your fighter. 👑

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🌈 SEE ALSO 🌈

• borg-common(1)
• borg-key-export(1)

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👑 Author 👑

The Borg Collective. the whole squad. no individual credits, just collective slay. 💜

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and that's the whole page, bestie — you ate. this was borg-key-import(1) from the borg backup tool, dated 2026-10-07, brought to you by The Borg Collective. go import those keys, you've got this. 🎀🦋✨