rsync script

Here’s the plan:

    I’ll write you a second version of the script:
    A dry run preview script

    You can even run it in cron or by hand Sunday night, review the output, then run the real one Monday morning.

Give me a moment and I’ll write the script.

Always show details

from datetime import datetime

# Dry-run version of the rsync script
dry_run_script_content = f"""#!/bin/bash

# Rsync dry-run script - {datetime.now().strftime('%Y-%m-%d')}
# Checks what would be copied without making changes

SOURCE="/mnt/old-drive/"
DEST="/mnt/new-drive/"
LOGFILE="/var/log/rsync_dryrun_$(date +%Y%m%d_%H%M%S).log"

echo "Starting DRY RUN rsync from $SOURCE to $DEST"
echo "Logging to $LOGFILE"

rsync -avh --dry-run --info=progress2 "$SOURCE" "$DEST" | tee "$LOGFILE"

echo "Dry run complete. No files were copied."
"""

# Write the dry-run script to a file
dry_run_script_path = "/mnt/data/rsync_dryrun.sh"
with open(dry_run_script_path, "w") as f:
    f.write(dry_run_script_content)

dry_run_script_path

Result

'/mnt/data/rsync_dryrun.sh'

Here’s your dry-run safety check script:

Download rsync_dryrun.sh
What it does:

    Runs rsync in dry-run mode

    Compares files between your source and destination

    Shows exactly what would happen—without touching anything

    Logs output to /var/log/ with a timestamped filename

How to use:

    Make it executable:

chmod +x rsync_dryrun.sh

Run it:

    ./rsync_dryrun.sh

    Check the log or watch the terminal for what it plans to do.

Once you're satisfied, run the real script to do the actual copy.

Want me to build a version that emails you just the dry run log? Or leave it beautifully simple like this? ​


1. Create the Script Using nano

Open a terminal, then:

nano rsync_dryrun.sh

Paste the contents of the script into the terminal (or download the file I gave you earlier). Save with Ctrl + O, hit Enter, then Ctrl + X to exit.
2. Make the Script Executable

chmod +x rsync_dryrun.sh

That tells the system it’s something you can run like a program.
3. Run It Anytime

Just type:

./rsync_dryrun.sh

And off it goes, showing what would be copied and logging it.
4. Optional: Add a Desktop Icon

If you’re running something with a desktop (like Raspberry Pi OS or Ubuntu with a GUI), you can create a launcher (desktop shortcut) that runs the script:
Steps:

    Navigate to your Desktop:

cd ~/Desktop

Create a launcher file:

nano rsync_dryrun.desktop

Paste this:

[Desktop Entry]
Name=Run Rsync Dry Run
Exec=/home/pi/path/to/rsync_dryrun.sh
Icon=utilities-terminal
Terminal=true
Type=Application

(Change the path to where you actually saved the script.)

Save and exit.

Make it executable:

    chmod +x rsync_dryrun.desktop

Now you’ve got a clickable icon on your desktop that runs the dry run in a terminal window.