This section describes backup options available for TeamCity 6.x versions. If you need to perform backup of earlier versions, please refer to the corresponding section in appropriate version Documentation.
TeamCity provides several ways to back up the data:
Creating Backup from TeamCity Web UI: an action in web UI (can also be triggered via REST API Plugin) to create a backup while the server is running. It is recommended for regular maintenance backups. Restore is possible via maintainDB console tool. Some limitations on backed up data apply. This option is also available on upgrade in the maintenance screen - on the first start of newer version of TeamCity server.
We strongly urge you to make the backup of TeamCity data before upgrading. Please note that TeamCity server does not support downgrading.
Recommended approach is either to perform backup described under Manual Backup and Restore or run backup from Creating Backup from TeamCity Web UI regularly (e.g. regularly via REST API Plugin) with level "All except build artifacts" - this will ensure backup for all important data except for Build logs and artifacts. Build logs and artifacts (if necessary) can be backed up manually by copying files under .BuildServer/system/messages and .BuildServer/system/artifacts. See TeamCity Data Directory for details on what is stored in artifacts and build logs.