fixattr

Back up, restore, and verify Linux filesystem inode flags (as reported by lsattr/chattr).

Most backup tools do not handle (wisely) the extended attributes. This tool keeps the information in a database so that you can restore it later.

Install

go install kanis.fr/fixattr/v2@latest

Or build from source:

go build ./...

Usage

backup

Walk a directory tree and save all inode flags to a SQLite database:

fixattr backup -path /
# writes /attribute.sqlite3

restore

Apply saved flags from a database to a directory tree:

fixattr restore -db /attribute.sqlite3 -target /mnt/newdisk

verify

Compare inode flags between two directory trees and report differences:

fixattr verify -source / -target /mnt/newdisk

show

Display inode flags (via lsattr) for all files with non-zero flags under a path:

fixattr show -source /

Notes

• The No_COW flag (C) is intentionally excluded from backup and comparison.
• Traversal stays within a single filesystem (mount points are not crossed).
• Directories containing a CACHEDIR.TAG file are skipped entirely.
• Requires lsattr on $PATH for the show and verify commands.

Known bug

It only works with the root directory for now.