# Download

Save a backup that is already on a target to this machine.

### Syntax

```
$ vela backup download vela_myapp_20260901134501.zip
$ vela backup download vela_myapp_20260901134501.zip -o ~/backups
```

Use [`vela backup list`](/backup/list) to see the keys.

### Options

- `-o, --output <dir>` - Where to save the archive, defaults to `backups`
- `-t, --target <target>` - Which copy of the app to act on, defaults to `production`
- `--server <ssh>` - Server this target runs on, recorded on first use

The transfer is an `rsync`, so an interrupted download resumes rather than starting again.

If the target is configured to keep its backups in a bucket, there is nothing on the server to fetch and the command says so — get it from the bucket instead.