# Use another folder or disk

> Put your backups in a folder of your choice, for example on an external disk.

Pahest puts your backups in `~/pahest-backups`, in your home folder. You can choose another folder.

## Choose the folder

<Steps>
<Step title="Start Pahest">
Run `pahest` and wait for the question.
</Step>
<Step title="Open the options">
Press `o`, then Enter. Then press `f`, then Enter.
</Step>
<Step title="Type the folder">
Type the full path of the folder and press Enter. The path can start with `~`, which is your home folder.
</Step>
<Step title="Start the backup">
Pahest shows the free space of the new folder and asks the question again. Press Enter.
</Step>
</Steps>

This output is from a test with one small session:

```text
  ? Make a backup now? [Y/n]  (o = options) o
  Options:
    f  Choose another backups folder.
    s  Save these answers, for runs without questions (pahest --profile).
  ? Your choice (Enter = go back): f
  ? Backup folder [~/pahest-backups] (Enter to keep): ~/Documents/pahest-backups
  ✓ Free space: 78.1 GB · this backup needs 33+ B
  ? Make a backup now? [Y/n]  (o = options)
```

Your choice is for this run only. To keep the choice, [save a profile](/commands#run-without-questions) and run `pahest --profile`.

## Rules for the folder

Pahest accepts a folder only if these rules are true:

- The path is a full path, for example `~/Documents/pahest-backups` or `/Volumes/Backup/pahest-backups`.
- The parent folder exists. Pahest makes only the last folder of the path.
- The disk is connected, and you can write to the folder.
- The folder is not in the data of an app: `~/.claude`, `~/.codex`, `/Applications` or `~/Library`. Folders of iCloud Drive are permitted.

If Pahest cannot use the folder, it tells you the cause and asks again.

## A folder on another disk

On the disk of your home folder, a backup is fast and uses little new space. On another disk, Pahest copies each file in full. The backup then takes more time and uses its full size.

Pahest always keeps your profiles and the list of all runs in `~/pahest-backups`. Do not delete `~/pahest-backups` after you move the backups.


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