> V1.0.3 rc.2 > Guides > Create kloset repository
Version Plakar documentation: version 1.0.3-rc.2

Create a Kloset repository on the filesystem

Last reviewed: 2025-08-21 / Plakar v1.0.3

A Kloset store is Plakar’s immutable storage backend where all your data lives. You can learn more in the Kloset deep dive article.

This tutorial explains how to create a Kloset repository on the filesystem.

Option 1. Using the simple syntax

Run the following command:

1plakar at /var/backups create

When you create a store this way, Plakar will prompt you interactively for an encryption passphrase.

To avoid the prompt, you can set the passphrase via the environment variable:

1export PLAKAR_PASSPHRASE="my-secret-passphrase"

Option 2. Using the rich configuration syntax

Plakar offers a more flexible way to configure stores using a rich syntax. This works in two steps:

  1. Configure the store once with plakar store.
  2. Refer to it later in all Plakar commands using the @name shortcut.

This approach is especially useful for integrations that require parameters (e.g. credentials in S3). For filesystem repositories, you can still set parameters such as the passphrase.

Example: configuring and using a filesystem store

1plakar store add mybackups /var/backups passphrase=xxx

You can later update the passphrase of an existing store:

1plakar store set mybackups passphrase=yyy

To use the configured store:

1plakar at @mybackups create
2plakar at @mybackups ls

Default value for at <path>

The plakar at <path> parameter is optional.

By default, running:

1plakar create

creates the repository in ~/.plakar.

More help

As with all other Plakar commands:

  • Use plakar create -h for a quick list of flags.
  • Use plakar help create for the full manual with examples.