Litestream is a database backup utility that provides continuous, incremental replication for SQLite databases. It operates as a background process that monitors local database files and streams modifications to remote cloud storage, ensuring that off-site backups are maintained without manual intervention.
The tool functions by intercepting the database file system layer to capture page-level changes and tailing the write-ahead log. This approach allows for real-time synchronization of transactions to various cloud object storage providers through a unified abstraction layer.
Beyond continuous replication, the system supports disaster recovery by enabling the reconstruction of database states. It utilizes periodic compressed snapshots combined with archived log files to facilitate point-in-time recovery, allowing users to restore a database to a specific historical moment.