diff --git a/internal/api/backups.go b/internal/api/backups.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1780062
--- /dev/null
+++ b/internal/api/backups.go
@@ -0,0 +1,168 @@
+package api
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"log/slog"
+	"net/http"
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"strings"
+	"sync"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/go-chi/chi/v5"
+	"github.com/sandrodach/mindsift/internal/auth"
+	"github.com/sandrodach/mindsift/internal/storage"
+)
+
+// Automatic backups (see storage/backup.go): daily at the configured time a snapshot of the whole
+// database for the admin and one MindSift backup per active user, both kept for the configured number
+// of days. Admins can also start a run by hand; users list, download and restore their own backups.
+
+var backupRunMu sync.Mutex
+
+func (s *Server) backupRoot() string {
+	return filepath.Join(filepath.Dir(s.cfg.DatabasePath), "backups")
+}
+
+// runBackups makes one full run; returns the name of the system snapshot.
+func (s *Server) runBackups() (string, error) {
+	backupRunMu.Lock()
+	defer backupRunMu.Unlock()
+	now := time.Now()
+	root := s.backupRoot()
+	sys, _ := s.store.GetSystemSettings()
+	keep := storage.DefaultBackupRetentionDays
+	if sys != nil && sys.BackupRetentionDays > 0 {
+		keep = sys.BackupRetentionDays
+	}
+
+	name, err := s.store.WriteSystemSnapshot(filepath.Join(root, "system"), now)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+	_ = storage.PruneBackups(filepath.Join(root, "system"), keep, now)
+
+	users, err := s.store.GetAllUsers()
+	if err != nil {
+		return name, err
+	}
+	failed := 0
+	for _, u := range users {
+		if !u.IsActive {
+			continue
+		}
+		dir := storage.UserBackupDir(root, u.ID)
+		if _, err := s.store.WriteUserBackup(u.ID, dir, now); err != nil {
+			failed++
+			slog.Error("Benutzer-Backup fehlgeschlagen", "user_id", u.ID, "error", err)
+			continue
+		}
+		_ = storage.PruneBackups(dir, keep, now)
+	}
+	slog.Info("Backups erstellt", "system", name, "users", len(users), "failed", failed)
+	if failed > 0 {
+		return name, fmt.Errorf("%d Benutzer-Backups fehlgeschlagen (siehe Server-Log)", failed)
+	}
+	return name, nil
+}
+
+// startBackupScheduler runs the backups once a day at the configured time (server time zone). After a
+// restart past that time on a day without a run, it catches up.
+func (s *Server) startBackupScheduler() {
+	ticker := time.NewTicker(time.Minute)
+	defer ticker.Stop()
+	lastRun := ""
+	if files, err := storage.ListBackups(filepath.Join(s.backupRoot(), "system")); err == nil && len(files) > 0 {
+		lastRun = strings.TrimPrefix(files[0].Name, "mindsift-db-")[:10] // date of the newest snapshot
+	}
+	for range ticker.C {
+		sys, err := s.store.GetSystemSettings()
+		if err != nil || sys == nil || !sys.BackupEnabled {
+			continue
+		}
+		now := time.Now()
+		today := now.Format("2006-01-02")
+		if lastRun == today || now.Format("15:04") < sys.BackupTime {
+			continue
+		}
+		lastRun = today
+		if _, err := s.runBackups(); err != nil {
+			slog.Error("Automatisches Backup fehlgeschlagen", "error", err)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func (s *Server) handleAdminListBackups(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
+	files, err := storage.ListBackups(filepath.Join(s.backupRoot(), "system"))
+	if err != nil {
+		writeError(w, http.StatusInternalServerError, err.Error())
+		return
+	}
+	writeJSON(w, http.StatusOK, files)
+}
+
+func (s *Server) handleAdminRunBackup(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
+	if _, err := s.runBackups(); err != nil {
+		writeError(w, http.StatusInternalServerError, "Backup fehlgeschlagen: "+err.Error())
+		return
+	}
+	s.handleAdminListBackups(w, r)
+}
+
+func (s *Server) handleAdminDownloadBackup(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
+	serveBackupFile(w, r, filepath.Join(s.backupRoot(), "system"), chi.URLParam(r, "name"), "application/gzip")
+}
+
+func (s *Server) handleListMyBackups(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
+	files, err := storage.ListBackups(storage.UserBackupDir(s.backupRoot(), auth.GetUserID(r.Context())))
+	if err != nil {
+		writeError(w, http.StatusInternalServerError, err.Error())
+		return
+	}
+	writeJSON(w, http.StatusOK, files)
+}
+
+func (s *Server) handleDownloadMyBackup(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
+	dir := storage.UserBackupDir(s.backupRoot(), auth.GetUserID(r.Context()))
+	serveBackupFile(w, r, dir, chi.URLParam(r, "name"), "application/zip")
+}
+
+// handleRestoreMyBackup imports one of the user's server backups: mode=merge (add next to the data)
+// or mode=restore (empty the chosen sections first), sections=notes,tasks,lists,inbox,themes.
+func (s *Server) handleRestoreMyBackup(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
+	userID := auth.GetUserID(r.Context())
+	path, err := storage.BackupPath(storage.UserBackupDir(s.backupRoot(), userID), chi.URLParam(r, "name"))
+	if err != nil {
+		writeError(w, http.StatusNotFound, err.Error())
+		return
+	}
+	data, err := os.ReadFile(path)
+	if err != nil {
+		writeError(w, http.StatusInternalServerError, err.Error())
+		return
+	}
+	plan, err := storage.PlanMindSiftImport(data, filepath.Base(path))
+	if err != nil {
+		writeError(w, http.StatusBadRequest, err.Error())
+		return
+	}
+	sections := storage.NormalizeSections(strings.Split(r.URL.Query().Get("sections"), ","))
+	plan = plan.Only(sections)
+	if r.URL.Query().Get("preview") == "1" {
+		writeJSON(w, http.StatusOK, plan.Summary(false))
+		return
+	}
+	s.applyImport(w, userID, plan, sections, r.URL.Query().Get("mode") == "restore")
+}
+
+func serveBackupFile(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request, dir, name, contentType string) {
+	path, err := storage.BackupPath(dir, name)
+	if err != nil {
+		writeError(w, http.StatusNotFound, err.Error())
+		return
+	}
+	w.Header().Set("Content-Type", contentType)
+	w.Header().Set("Content-Disposition", fmt.Sprintf(`attachment; filename="%s"`, name))
+	http.ServeFile(w, r, path)
+}
diff --git a/internal/api/backups_test.go b/internal/api/backups_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..62161da
--- /dev/null
+++ b/internal/api/backups_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,91 @@
+package api
+
+import (
+	"encoding/json"
+	"net/http"
+	"net/http/httptest"
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/sandrodach/mindsift/internal/auth"
+	"github.com/sandrodach/mindsift/internal/storage"
+)
+
+func TestBackupsRunListDownloadAndRestoreSections(t *testing.T) {
+	srv, store, token := setupTestServer(t)
+	router := srv.Router()
+	claims, _ := auth.ValidateToken(testJWTSecret, token)
+	uid := claims.UserID
+	_, _ = store.CreateDocument(uid, "", "Notiz vom Montag", "📝", "", nil, nil, false)
+	list, _ := store.CreateList(uid, "Einkauf", "🛒", "shopping")
+	_, _ = store.CreateListItem(list.ID, "Milch", "", "", 0, uid)
+	_, _ = store.SaveUserTheme(uid, "", "Mein Theme", ":root[data-theme=\"x\"] { --accent-primary: #f00; }")
+
+	call := func(method, path string) *httptest.ResponseRecorder {
+		req := httptest.NewRequest(method, path, nil)
+		req.Header.Set("Authorization", "Bearer "+token)
+		rec := httptest.NewRecorder()
+		router.ServeHTTP(rec, req)
+		return rec
+	}
+
+	// Admin starts a run: one database snapshot plus a backup for the user
+	rec := call("POST", "/api/v1/admin/backups")
+	if rec.Code != http.StatusOK {
+		t.Fatalf("run backups: %d %s", rec.Code, rec.Body.String())
+	}
+	var sysFiles []storage.BackupFile
+	_ = json.Unmarshal(rec.Body.Bytes(), &sysFiles)
+	if len(sysFiles) != 1 || !strings.HasSuffix(sysFiles[0].Name, ".db.gz") || sysFiles[0].Size == 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("expected one snapshot, got %+v", sysFiles)
+	}
+	if rec := call("GET", "/api/v1/admin/backups/"+sysFiles[0].Name); rec.Code != http.StatusOK || rec.Body.Len() == 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("download snapshot: %d", rec.Code)
+	}
+	if rec := call("GET", "/api/v1/admin/backups/..%2F..%2Fmindsift.db"); rec.Code != http.StatusNotFound {
+		t.Fatalf("path tricks must be refused, got %d", rec.Code)
+	}
+
+	var mine []storage.BackupFile
+	_ = json.Unmarshal(call("GET", "/api/v1/backups").Body.Bytes(), &mine)
+	if len(mine) != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("expected one user backup, got %+v", mine)
+	}
+
+	// Lose data, then restore only the lists: notes stay as they are now
+	listsBefore, _ := store.GetAllListsForUser(uid)
+	docsBefore, _ := store.GetDocuments(uid)
+	_ = store.PurgeUserSections(uid, map[string]bool{storage.SectionLists: true, storage.SectionThemes: true})
+	_, _ = store.CreateDocument(uid, "", "Notiz vom Dienstag", "📝", "", nil, nil, false)
+	rec = call("POST", "/api/v1/backups/"+mine[0].Name+"/restore?mode=restore&sections=lists,themes")
+	if rec.Code != http.StatusOK {
+		t.Fatalf("restore: %d %s", rec.Code, rec.Body.String())
+	}
+	lists, _ := store.GetAllListsForUser(uid)
+	themes, _ := store.GetUserThemes(uid)
+	docs, _ := store.GetDocuments(uid)
+	if len(lists) != len(listsBefore) || len(themes) != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("lists and themes should be back: %d of %d lists, %d themes", len(lists), len(listsBefore), len(themes))
+	}
+	if len(docs) != len(docsBefore)+1 {
+		t.Fatalf("notes were not selected and must stay untouched (plus Dienstag), got %d of %d", len(docs), len(docsBefore)+1)
+	}
+
+	// Retention: old files go
+	dir := filepath.Join(srv.backupRoot(), "system")
+	old := filepath.Join(dir, "mindsift-db-2000-01-01-0300.db.gz")
+	_ = os.WriteFile(old, []byte("x"), 0o600)
+	_ = os.Chtimes(old, mustTime("2000-01-01"), mustTime("2000-01-01"))
+	_, _ = srv.runBackups()
+	if _, err := os.Stat(old); !os.IsNotExist(err) {
+		t.Fatalf("backups older than the retention must be deleted")
+	}
+}
+
+func mustTime(day string) (t time.Time) {
+	t, _ = time.Parse("2006-01-02", day)
+	return t
+}
diff --git a/internal/api/handlers_account.go b/internal/api/handlers_account.go
index 7e25633..56548a3 100644
--- a/internal/api/handlers_account.go
+++ b/internal/api/handlers_account.go
@@ -82,15 +82,21 @@ func (s *Server) runImport(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request, plan *storage
 		writeError(w, http.StatusBadRequest, err.Error())
 		return
 	}
+	// sections=notes,tasks,…: only these parts of a MindSift backup (all when not given)
+	sections := storage.NormalizeSections(strings.Split(r.URL.Query().Get("sections"), ","))
+	plan = plan.Only(sections)
 	if r.URL.Query().Get("preview") == "1" {
 		writeJSON(w, http.StatusOK, plan.Summary(false))
 		return
 	}
-	userID := auth.GetUserID(r.Context())
-	// mode=restore (MindSift data only): replace everything instead of adding next to it. The plan is
-	// fully read and validated at this point, so a broken file never wipes anything.
-	if r.URL.Query().Get("mode") == "restore" && strings.HasSuffix(r.URL.Path, "/mindsift") {
-		if err := s.store.PurgeUserData(userID); err != nil {
+	s.applyImport(w, auth.GetUserID(r.Context()), plan, sections, r.URL.Query().Get("mode") == "restore" && strings.HasSuffix(r.URL.Path, "/mindsift"))
+}
+
+// applyImport adds the plan to the user's data; with restore the chosen sections are emptied first.
+// The plan is fully read and validated at this point, so a broken file never wipes anything.
+func (s *Server) applyImport(w http.ResponseWriter, userID string, plan *storage.ImportPlan, sections map[string]bool, restore bool) {
+	if restore {
+		if err := s.store.PurgeUserSections(userID, sections); err != nil {
 			writeError(w, http.StatusInternalServerError, "Wiederherstellen abgebrochen: "+err.Error())
 			return
 		}
diff --git a/internal/api/server.go b/internal/api/server.go
index 8a1d484..cdffec0 100644
--- a/internal/api/server.go
+++ b/internal/api/server.go
@@ -56,6 +56,9 @@ func NewServer(cfg *config.Config, store *storage.Store, wsHub *ws.Hub, staticFS
 	if cfg.DemoMode && cfg.DemoResetMinutes > 0 {
 		go srv.startDemoResetTicker()
 	}
+	if !cfg.DemoMode {
+		go srv.startBackupScheduler()
+	}
 	return srv
 }
 
@@ -130,6 +133,9 @@ func (s *Server) Router() http.Handler {
 		r.Get("/api/v1/stats", s.handleStats)
 		r.Get("/api/v1/search", s.handleSearch)
 		r.Get("/api/v1/export", s.handleExport)
+		r.Get("/api/v1/backups", s.handleListMyBackups)
+		r.Get("/api/v1/backups/{name}", s.handleDownloadMyBackup)
+		r.Post("/api/v1/backups/{name}/restore", s.handleRestoreMyBackup)
 		r.Get("/api/v1/export/markdown", s.handleExportMarkdown)
 		r.Post("/api/v1/import/mindsift", s.handleImportMindSift)
 		r.Delete("/api/v1/user/data", s.handlePurgeOwnData)
@@ -256,6 +262,9 @@ func (s *Server) Router() http.Handler {
 		r.Group(func(r chi.Router) {
 			r.Use(s.adminMiddleware)
 			r.Get("/api/v1/admin/settings", s.handleAdminGetSettings)
+			r.Get("/api/v1/admin/backups", s.handleAdminListBackups)
+			r.Post("/api/v1/admin/backups", s.handleAdminRunBackup)
+			r.Get("/api/v1/admin/backups/{name}", s.handleAdminDownloadBackup)
 			r.Put("/api/v1/admin/settings", s.handleAdminUpdateSettings)
 			r.Get("/api/v1/admin/settings/sharing-impact", s.handleAdminSharingImpact)
 
diff --git a/internal/domain/models.go b/internal/domain/models.go
index aeb3653..98ae2b2 100644
--- a/internal/domain/models.go
+++ b/internal/domain/models.go
@@ -292,6 +292,10 @@ type SystemSettings struct {
 	// metadata stay blocked
 	AllowPrivateWebhooks bool `json:"allowPrivateWebhooks"`
 	SMTPConfiguredViaEnv bool `json:"smtpConfiguredViaEnv,omitempty"`
+	// Automatic backups: on/off, daily time (HH:MM, server time zone) and how many days to keep them
+	BackupEnabled       bool   `json:"backupEnabled"`
+	BackupTime          string `json:"backupTime"`
+	BackupRetentionDays int    `json:"backupRetentionDays"`
 }
 
 // UnmarshalJSON accepts smtpPort as text or number: older clients sent a number, which made the whole
@@ -532,6 +536,7 @@ type FullExport struct {
 	Documents  []Document   `json:"documents"`
 	Lists      []SharedList `json:"lists"`
 	TaskLists  []TaskList   `json:"taskLists,omitempty"`
+	Themes     []UserTheme  `json:"themes,omitempty"`
 }
 
 type SharedFolder struct {
diff --git a/internal/storage/account.go b/internal/storage/account.go
index 9a0a9e2..e744aad 100644
--- a/internal/storage/account.go
+++ b/internal/storage/account.go
@@ -3,75 +3,137 @@ package storage
 import (
 	"errors"
 	"fmt"
+	"strings"
 )
 
 // ErrLastAdmin protects the server from losing its last administrator.
 var ErrLastAdmin = errors.New("Der letzte Server-Administrator kann nicht gelöscht werden. Bitte ernenne vorher ein anderes Konto zum Administrator.")
 
-// PurgeUserData deletes everything the user owns – thoughts and tasks, notes (with blocks, history and
-// shares), folders, shared folders, task lists and lists – in one transaction. The account, its
-// settings, themes, API keys and group memberships stay. Other people's tasks in the user's task lists
-// become their own personal tasks, as when a single list is deleted.
-func (s *Store) PurgeUserData(userID string) error {
-	tx, err := s.db.Begin()
-	if err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-	defer tx.Rollback()
+// Sections of a user's data, for restoring only part of a backup.
+const (
+	SectionNotes  = "notes"  // notes, folders, shared folders, pins, tag pages
+	SectionTasks  = "tasks"  // task lists and tasks
+	SectionLists  = "lists"  // shopping and other lists
+	SectionInbox  = "inbox"  // thoughts in the inbox (and the discarded ones)
+	SectionThemes = "themes" // own CSS themes
+)
 
+// AllSections in a fixed order.
+var AllSections = []string{SectionNotes, SectionTasks, SectionLists, SectionInbox, SectionThemes}
+
+// NormalizeSections keeps known sections; an empty selection means all of them.
+func NormalizeSections(sections []string) map[string]bool {
+	out := map[string]bool{}
+	for _, sec := range sections {
+		sec = strings.ToLower(strings.TrimSpace(sec))
+		for _, known := range AllSections {
+			if sec == known {
+				out[sec] = true
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	if len(out) == 0 {
+		for _, sec := range AllSections {
+			out[sec] = true
+		}
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
+// purgeStmts lists what deleting one section of a user's data takes. Each statement gets the user ID
+// as often as it has placeholders.
+func purgeStmts(section string) []struct {
+	q    string
+	args int
+} {
 	ownDocs := `(SELECT id FROM documents WHERE user_id = ?)`
 	ownTaskLists := `(SELECT id FROM task_lists WHERE user_id = ?)`
 	ownFolders := `(SELECT id FROM workspace_shared_folders WHERE owner_id = ?)`
-	stmts := []struct {
+	type st = struct {
 		q    string
-		args int // how many times userID is passed
-	}{
-		// Task lists: keep the tasks of others, drop shares and the lists
-		{`UPDATE thoughts SET task_list_id = '' WHERE task_list_id IN ` + ownTaskLists + ` AND user_id != ?`, 2},
-		{`DELETE FROM task_list_shares WHERE task_list_id IN ` + ownTaskLists, 1},
-		{`DELETE FROM task_lists WHERE user_id = ?`, 1},
-		// Tasks of others linked to blocks of the user's notes lose the link
-		{`UPDATE thoughts SET converted_type = '', converted_ref_id = '' WHERE converted_type = 'document_block'
-		  AND substr(converted_ref_id, 1, instr(converted_ref_id, ':') - 1) IN ` + ownDocs, 1},
-		{`DELETE FROM thoughts WHERE user_id = ?`, 1},
-		// Shared folders owned by the user
-		{`UPDATE documents SET shared_folder_id = '', sub_folder_path = '' WHERE shared_folder_id IN ` + ownFolders, 1},
-		{`DELETE FROM workspace_folder_mounts WHERE folder_id IN ` + ownFolders, 1},
-		{`DELETE FROM workspace_folder_shares WHERE folder_id IN ` + ownFolders, 1},
-		{`DELETE FROM workspace_folders WHERE shared_folder_id IN ` + ownFolders, 1},
-		{`DELETE FROM workspace_shared_folders WHERE owner_id = ?`, 1},
-		// Notes (history tables cascade with the document)
-		{`DELETE FROM blocks WHERE document_id IN ` + ownDocs, 1},
-		{`DELETE FROM block_tags WHERE document_id IN ` + ownDocs, 1},
-		{`DELETE FROM doc_user_folders WHERE doc_id IN ` + ownDocs, 1},
-		{`DELETE FROM doc_team_shares WHERE doc_id IN ` + ownDocs, 1},
-		{`DELETE FROM doc_shares WHERE doc_id IN ` + ownDocs, 1},
-		{`DELETE FROM documents WHERE user_id = ?`, 1},
-		// The user's own placement of notes, folders, pins and tag pages
-		{`DELETE FROM doc_user_folders WHERE user_id = ?`, 1},
-		{`DELETE FROM doc_pins WHERE user_id = ?`, 1},
-		{`DELETE FROM workspace_folders WHERE user_id = ?`, 1},
-		{`DELETE FROM tag_pages WHERE user_id = ?`, 1},
-		// Lists (items cascade)
-		{`DELETE FROM list_shares WHERE list_id IN (SELECT id FROM lists WHERE user_id = ?)`, 1},
-		{`DELETE FROM lists WHERE user_id = ?`, 1},
+		args int
 	}
-	for _, st := range stmts {
-		args := make([]interface{}, st.args)
-		for i := range args {
-			args[i] = userID
+	switch section {
+	case SectionTasks:
+		return []st{
+			// Task lists: keep the tasks of others, drop shares and the lists
+			{`UPDATE thoughts SET task_list_id = '' WHERE task_list_id IN ` + ownTaskLists + ` AND user_id != ?`, 2},
+			{`DELETE FROM task_list_shares WHERE task_list_id IN ` + ownTaskLists, 1},
+			{`DELETE FROM task_lists WHERE user_id = ?`, 1},
+			{`DELETE FROM thoughts WHERE user_id = ? AND (status = 'kept' OR (status = 'converted' AND converted_type IN ('task', 'document_block')))`, 1},
 		}
-		if _, err := tx.Exec(st.q, args...); err != nil {
-			return fmt.Errorf("Daten löschen: %w", err)
+	case SectionInbox:
+		return []st{{`DELETE FROM thoughts WHERE user_id = ? AND status IN ('inbox', 'discarded')`, 1}}
+	case SectionNotes:
+		return []st{
+			// Tasks of others linked to blocks of the user's notes lose the link
+			{`UPDATE thoughts SET converted_type = '', converted_ref_id = '' WHERE converted_type = 'document_block'
+			  AND substr(converted_ref_id, 1, instr(converted_ref_id, ':') - 1) IN ` + ownDocs, 1},
+			// Shared folders owned by the user
+			{`UPDATE documents SET shared_folder_id = '', sub_folder_path = '' WHERE shared_folder_id IN ` + ownFolders, 1},
+			{`DELETE FROM workspace_folder_mounts WHERE folder_id IN ` + ownFolders, 1},
+			{`DELETE FROM workspace_folder_shares WHERE folder_id IN ` + ownFolders, 1},
+			{`DELETE FROM workspace_folders WHERE shared_folder_id IN ` + ownFolders, 1},
+			{`DELETE FROM workspace_shared_folders WHERE owner_id = ?`, 1},
+			// Notes (history tables cascade with the document)
+			{`DELETE FROM blocks WHERE document_id IN ` + ownDocs, 1},
+			{`DELETE FROM block_tags WHERE document_id IN ` + ownDocs, 1},
+			{`DELETE FROM doc_user_folders WHERE doc_id IN ` + ownDocs, 1},
+			{`DELETE FROM doc_team_shares WHERE doc_id IN ` + ownDocs, 1},
+			{`DELETE FROM doc_shares WHERE doc_id IN ` + ownDocs, 1},
+			{`DELETE FROM documents WHERE user_id = ?`, 1},
+			// The user's own placement of notes, folders, pins and tag pages
+			{`DELETE FROM doc_user_folders WHERE user_id = ?`, 1},
+			{`DELETE FROM doc_pins WHERE user_id = ?`, 1},
+			{`DELETE FROM workspace_folders WHERE user_id = ?`, 1},
+			{`DELETE FROM tag_pages WHERE user_id = ?`, 1},
+		}
+	case SectionLists:
+		return []st{
+			{`DELETE FROM list_shares WHERE list_id IN (SELECT id FROM lists WHERE user_id = ?)`, 1},
+			{`DELETE FROM lists WHERE user_id = ?`, 1}, // items cascade
+		}
+	case SectionThemes:
+		return []st{{`DELETE FROM user_themes WHERE user_id = ?`, 1}}
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+// PurgeUserSections deletes the chosen sections of the user's own data in one transaction. Content of
+// others shared with the user stays; other people's tasks in the user's task lists become their own
+// personal tasks, as when a single list is deleted.
+func (s *Store) PurgeUserSections(userID string, sections map[string]bool) error {
+	var stmts []sqlStmt
+	for _, sec := range AllSections {
+		if !sections[sec] {
+			continue
+		}
+		for _, st := range purgeStmts(sec) {
+			args := make([]interface{}, st.args)
+			for i := range args {
+				args[i] = userID
+			}
+			stmts = append(stmts, stmt(st.q, args...))
 		}
 	}
-	if err := tx.Commit(); err != nil {
-		return err
+	if sections[SectionTasks] && sections[SectionInbox] {
+		// Everything else of the thought history (turned into notes or list items) goes as well
+		stmts = append(stmts, stmt(`DELETE FROM thoughts WHERE user_id = ?`, userID))
+	}
+	if err := s.execInTx(stmts...); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("Daten löschen: %w", err)
 	}
 	s.PruneTaskAssignees()
 	return nil
 }
 
+// PurgeUserData deletes everything the user owns – thoughts and tasks, notes (with blocks, history and
+// shares), folders, shared folders, task lists and lists. The account, its settings, themes, API keys
+// and group memberships stay.
+func (s *Store) PurgeUserData(userID string) error {
+	return s.PurgeUserSections(userID, map[string]bool{SectionNotes: true, SectionTasks: true, SectionLists: true, SectionInbox: true})
+}
+
 // IsLastAdmin reports whether userID is an administrator and no other one exists.
 func (s *Store) IsLastAdmin(userID string) bool {
 	var role string
diff --git a/internal/storage/backup.go b/internal/storage/backup.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b6721a2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/internal/storage/backup.go
@@ -0,0 +1,167 @@
+package storage
+
+import (
+	"compress/gzip"
+	"errors"
+	"fmt"
+	"io"
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"regexp"
+	"sort"
+	"strings"
+	"time"
+)
+
+// Automatic backups below $DATA_DIR/backups/:
+//   system/mindsift-db-YYYY-MM-DD-HHMM.db.gz        the whole database (VACUUM INTO, consistent while
+//                                                     others write), for the admin
+//   users/<user id>/mindsift-backup-YYYY-MM-DD-HHMM.zip   the same ZIP as "Backup herunterladen"
+// Files older than the retention are deleted after each run. Backups next to the database protect
+// against mistakes, not against a broken disk; copy the folder elsewhere as well.
+
+const (
+	DefaultBackupTime          = "03:00"
+	DefaultBackupRetentionDays = 3
+)
+
+var (
+	backupTimeRe   = regexp.MustCompile(`^([01]\d|2[0-3]):[0-5]\d$`)
+	backupNameRe   = regexp.MustCompile(`^mindsift-(db|backup)-\d{4}-\d{2}-\d{2}-\d{4}\.(db\.gz|zip)$`)
+	ErrBackupName  = errors.New("Unbekannte Sicherung")
+	backupStampFmt = "2006-01-02-1504"
+)
+
+func validBackupTime(v string) bool { return backupTimeRe.MatchString(v) }
+
+// BackupFile is one entry of a backup listing.
+type BackupFile struct {
+	Name      string `json:"name"`
+	Size      int64  `json:"size"`
+	CreatedAt string `json:"createdAt"`
+}
+
+// BackupPath returns the file of a backup in dir, refusing anything that is not one of our names
+// (no path tricks through the API).
+func BackupPath(dir, name string) (string, error) {
+	if !backupNameRe.MatchString(name) {
+		return "", ErrBackupName
+	}
+	p := filepath.Join(dir, name)
+	if _, err := os.Stat(p); err != nil {
+		return "", ErrBackupName
+	}
+	return p, nil
+}
+
+// ListBackups lists the backups in dir, newest first.
+func ListBackups(dir string) ([]BackupFile, error) {
+	entries, err := os.ReadDir(dir)
+	if errors.Is(err, os.ErrNotExist) {
+		return []BackupFile{}, nil
+	}
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	out := []BackupFile{}
+	for _, e := range entries {
+		if e.IsDir() || !backupNameRe.MatchString(e.Name()) {
+			continue
+		}
+		info, err := e.Info()
+		if err != nil {
+			continue
+		}
+		out = append(out, BackupFile{Name: e.Name(), Size: info.Size(), CreatedAt: info.ModTime().UTC().Format(time.RFC3339)})
+	}
+	sort.Slice(out, func(i, j int) bool { return out[i].Name > out[j].Name })
+	return out, nil
+}
+
+// PruneBackups deletes backups in dir older than keepDays.
+func PruneBackups(dir string, keepDays int, now time.Time) error {
+	files, err := ListBackups(dir)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	cutoff := now.Add(-time.Duration(keepDays) * 24 * time.Hour)
+	for _, f := range files {
+		created, err := time.Parse(time.RFC3339, f.CreatedAt)
+		if err == nil && created.Before(cutoff) {
+			if err := os.Remove(filepath.Join(dir, f.Name)); err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+// WriteSystemSnapshot writes a gzip-compressed copy of the whole database into dir.
+func (s *Store) WriteSystemSnapshot(dir string, now time.Time) (string, error) {
+	if err := os.MkdirAll(dir, 0o700); err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+	name := "mindsift-db-" + now.Format(backupStampFmt) + ".db.gz"
+	tmp := filepath.Join(dir, ".tmp-"+now.Format("20060102150405.000000")+".db")
+	defer os.Remove(tmp)
+	if _, err := s.db.Exec(`VACUUM INTO ?`, tmp); err != nil {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("Datenbank-Abzug: %w", err)
+	}
+	if err := gzipFile(tmp, filepath.Join(dir, name)); err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+	return name, nil
+}
+
+// WriteUserBackup writes the user's MindSift backup (ZIP with the JSON export) into dir.
+func (s *Store) WriteUserBackup(userID, dir string, now time.Time) (string, error) {
+	if err := os.MkdirAll(dir, 0o700); err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+	exp, err := s.ExportUserData(userID)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+	name := "mindsift-backup-" + now.Format(backupStampFmt) + ".zip"
+	return name, writeFileAtomically(filepath.Join(dir, name), func(w io.Writer) error { return WriteBackupZip(exp, w) })
+}
+
+func gzipFile(src, dst string) error {
+	in, err := os.Open(src)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	defer in.Close()
+	return writeFileAtomically(dst, func(w io.Writer) error {
+		gz := gzip.NewWriter(w)
+		if _, err := io.Copy(gz, in); err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		return gz.Close()
+	})
+}
+
+// writeFileAtomically writes to a temporary file and renames it, so a half-written backup never
+// shows up in the list.
+func writeFileAtomically(dst string, write func(io.Writer) error) error {
+	tmp := dst + ".part"
+	f, err := os.OpenFile(tmp, os.O_CREATE|os.O_TRUNC|os.O_WRONLY, 0o600)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	if err := write(f); err != nil {
+		f.Close()
+		os.Remove(tmp)
+		return err
+	}
+	if err := f.Close(); err != nil {
+		os.Remove(tmp)
+		return err
+	}
+	return os.Rename(tmp, dst)
+}
+
+// UserBackupDir is the backup folder of one user below root; user IDs are generated by MindSift.
+func UserBackupDir(root, userID string) string {
+	return filepath.Join(root, "users", strings.ReplaceAll(filepath.Base(userID), "..", ""))
+}
diff --git a/internal/storage/import_markdown.go b/internal/storage/import_markdown.go
index aea9b6e..11db098 100644
--- a/internal/storage/import_markdown.go
+++ b/internal/storage/import_markdown.go
@@ -28,12 +28,34 @@ const (
 // ImportPlan is everything an import would create. It is built completely (and validated) before
 // anything is written, so the preview shows exactly what the import does.
 type ImportPlan struct {
-	Folders   []string         `json:"-"`
-	Docs      []importDoc      `json:"-"`
-	TaskLists []importTaskList `json:"-"`
-	Lists     []importList     `json:"-"`
-	Inbox     []importTask     `json:"-"`
-	Skipped   []ImportSkip     `json:"skipped"`
+	Folders   []string           `json:"-"`
+	Docs      []importDoc        `json:"-"`
+	TaskLists []importTaskList   `json:"-"`
+	Lists     []importList       `json:"-"`
+	Inbox     []importTask       `json:"-"`
+	Themes    []domain.UserTheme `json:"-"`
+	Skipped   []ImportSkip       `json:"skipped"`
+}
+
+// Only keeps the chosen sections of the plan (see NormalizeSections).
+func (p *ImportPlan) Only(sections map[string]bool) *ImportPlan {
+	out := &ImportPlan{Skipped: p.Skipped}
+	if sections[SectionNotes] {
+		out.Folders, out.Docs = p.Folders, p.Docs
+	}
+	if sections[SectionTasks] {
+		out.TaskLists = p.TaskLists
+	}
+	if sections[SectionLists] {
+		out.Lists = p.Lists
+	}
+	if sections[SectionInbox] {
+		out.Inbox = p.Inbox
+	}
+	if sections[SectionThemes] {
+		out.Themes = p.Themes
+	}
+	return out
 }
 
 type ImportSkip struct {
@@ -50,6 +72,7 @@ type ImportSummary struct {
 	Lists     int          `json:"lists"`
 	ListItems int          `json:"listItems"`
 	Inbox     int          `json:"inbox"`
+	Themes    int          `json:"themes"`
 	Skipped   []ImportSkip `json:"skipped"`
 	Applied   bool         `json:"applied"`
 }
@@ -85,7 +108,7 @@ func (p *ImportPlan) skip(path, reason string) {
 }
 
 func (p *ImportPlan) Summary(applied bool) ImportSummary {
-	sum := ImportSummary{Folders: len(p.Folders), Notes: len(p.Docs), Lists: len(p.Lists), Inbox: len(p.Inbox), Skipped: p.Skipped, Applied: applied}
+	sum := ImportSummary{Folders: len(p.Folders), Notes: len(p.Docs), Lists: len(p.Lists), Inbox: len(p.Inbox), Themes: len(p.Themes), Skipped: p.Skipped, Applied: applied}
 	for _, tl := range p.TaskLists {
 		if tl.title != "" {
 			sum.TaskLists++
@@ -416,6 +439,7 @@ func PlanMindSiftJSONImport(data []byte) (*ImportPlan, error) {
 		}
 		plan.Lists = append(plan.Lists, il)
 	}
+	plan.Themes = exp.Themes
 	plan.Folders = sortedKeys(folders)
 	return plan, nil
 }
@@ -484,6 +508,11 @@ func (s *Store) ApplyImport(userID string, plan *ImportPlan) (ImportSummary, err
 			}
 		}
 	}
+	for _, th := range plan.Themes {
+		if _, err := s.SaveUserTheme(userID, "", th.Name, th.CSS); err != nil {
+			plan.skip(th.Name, "Theme: "+err.Error())
+		}
+	}
 	return plan.Summary(true), nil
 }
 
diff --git a/internal/storage/system.go b/internal/storage/system.go
index 9554149..ff29e2a 100644
--- a/internal/storage/system.go
+++ b/internal/storage/system.go
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ package storage
 
 import (
 	"encoding/json"
+	"strconv"
 	"strings"
 
 	"github.com/sandrodach/mindsift/internal/domain"
@@ -75,6 +76,7 @@ func (s *Store) ExportUserData(userID string) (*domain.FullExport, error) {
 	docs, _ := s.GetDocuments(userID)
 	lists, _ := s.GetAllListsForUser(userID)
 	taskLists, _ := s.GetTaskLists(userID)
+	themes, _ := s.GetUserThemes(userID)
 
 	return &domain.FullExport{
 		ExportedAt: domain.NowISO(),
@@ -84,6 +86,7 @@ func (s *Store) ExportUserData(userID string) (*domain.FullExport, error) {
 		Documents:  docs,
 		Lists:      lists,
 		TaskLists:  taskLists,
+		Themes:     themes,
 	}, nil
 }
 
@@ -111,11 +114,13 @@ func (s *Store) SeedSMTPDefaultsFromEnv(host, port, user, pass, from string, tls
 
 func (s *Store) GetSystemSettings() (*domain.SystemSettings, error) {
 	settings := &domain.SystemSettings{
-		SharingMode:       SharingOrganizations,
-		AllowRegistration: false,
-		InstanceName:      "MindSift",
-		SMTPPort:          "587",
-		SMTPTLS:           true,
+		SharingMode:         SharingOrganizations,
+		AllowRegistration:   false,
+		InstanceName:        "MindSift",
+		SMTPPort:            "587",
+		SMTPTLS:             true,
+		BackupTime:          DefaultBackupTime,
+		BackupRetentionDays: DefaultBackupRetentionDays,
 	}
 
 	rows, err := s.db.Query(`SELECT key, value FROM system_settings`)
@@ -152,6 +157,16 @@ func (s *Store) GetSystemSettings() (*domain.SystemSettings, error) {
 				settings.SMTPSkipVerify = v == "true"
 			case "allow_private_webhooks":
 				settings.AllowPrivateWebhooks = v == "true"
+			case "backup_enabled":
+				settings.BackupEnabled = v == "true"
+			case "backup_time":
+				if validBackupTime(v) {
+					settings.BackupTime = v
+				}
+			case "backup_retention_days":
+				if n, err := strconv.Atoi(v); err == nil && n > 0 {
+					settings.BackupRetentionDays = n
+				}
 			}
 		}
 	}
@@ -182,6 +197,12 @@ func (s *Store) UpdateSystemSettings(settings *domain.SystemSettings) error {
 	if settings.InstanceName == "" {
 		settings.InstanceName = "MindSift"
 	}
+	if !validBackupTime(settings.BackupTime) {
+		settings.BackupTime = DefaultBackupTime
+	}
+	if settings.BackupRetentionDays < 1 || settings.BackupRetentionDays > 365 {
+		settings.BackupRetentionDays = DefaultBackupRetentionDays
+	}
 	_, err := s.db.Exec(`INSERT INTO system_settings (key, value) VALUES 
 		('sharing_mode', ?),
 		('allow_registration', ?),
@@ -193,7 +214,10 @@ func (s *Store) UpdateSystemSettings(settings *domain.SystemSettings) error {
 		('smtp_from', ?),
 		('smtp_tls', ?),
 		('smtp_skip_verify', ?),
-		('allow_private_webhooks', ?)
+		('allow_private_webhooks', ?),
+		('backup_enabled', ?),
+		('backup_time', ?),
+		('backup_retention_days', ?)
 		ON CONFLICT(key) DO UPDATE SET value = excluded.value`,
 		settings.SharingMode,
 		regStr,
@@ -206,6 +230,9 @@ func (s *Store) UpdateSystemSettings(settings *domain.SystemSettings) error {
 		tlsStr,
 		skipVerifyStr,
 		privateHooksStr,
+		strconv.FormatBool(settings.BackupEnabled),
+		settings.BackupTime,
+		strconv.Itoa(settings.BackupRetentionDays),
 	)
 	return err
 }