CLI & DEVELOPER TOOLS · PYTHON

rastro

A fast, local-first command line snapshot utility for creators and developers seeking frictionless revision backups.

Language

Python 3.10+

Storage

Compressed Delta Tarball

Setup

Zero Config

Overhead

< 100ms per snapshot

Executive TL;DR — Engineering Brief

rastro is an authorial command line utility created by Alex Santos. Designed as a lightweight local alternative to full Git workflows for quick experiments, prototypes, and scripts, rastro creates instant point-in-time project snapshots.

DIAGRAM & WORKFLOW

Snapshot Creation & Restore Flow

Calculates file checksums, applies .gitignore rules, and stores timestamped compressed snapshots.

DETAILED ENGINEERING

Core Technical Pillars

Design choices, architectural patterns, and engineering decisions implemented for extreme reliability and developer experience.

Instant Point-in-Time Snapshots

Create timestamped checkpoints with a single terminal command

Captures the exact state of your working directory in milliseconds without requiring repository initialization or staging.

Intelligent Ignore & Pattern Filtering

Respects .gitignore and built-in rules for node_modules, .venv, and caches

Automatically skips heavy build artifacts and virtual environments, keeping snapshot archives compact and lightweight.

One-Command Rollback & Comparison

Inspect changes between snapshots and restore previous revisions safely

View diffs between historical checkpoints and revert unwanted edits with safety backup prompts.

Zero Remote Server Dependencies

All snapshot archives reside strictly in a hidden local folder (.rastro/)

Guarantees offline reliability and complete operational privacy for sensitive experimental code.

CODE IN ACTION

rastro Terminal Workflow

Real-world usage, terminal configuration, and technical integration commands.

Terminal Example SHELL

# 1. Take an instant snapshot
rastro snap "Before refactoring database connection"

# 2. List all available snapshots
rastro list

# 3. View diff against latest snapshot
rastro diff

# 4. Restore an earlier checkpoint
rastro restore 2

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Technical Frequently Asked Questions

Key clarifications regarding licensing, compatibility, deployment, and security.

Does rastro replace Git?

No, rastro complements Git for rapid local prototyping and quick safety checkpoints.

How are snapshot archives stored?

As compressed gzip archives inside a local .rastro/ directory.

Can I use rastro on any operating system?

Yes, fully compatible with Windows, Linux, and macOS.

How do I install rastro?

Via pip or pipx: pip install rastro-cli.