I was copying files from my previous installation to my new Gentoo installation. After I was done. I ran wipefs on /dev/nvme0n1 thinking it old nvme drive which is connected through usb. I am in disbelief. Lost all of my configuration files. My perfect installation of gentoo. Just gone. How do I never make such mistake again? Thankfully I had backup of passwords file. Rest is gone. I am sad.
I use gnu stow and my self hosted got forge to manage and back up my config files. With a 3-2-1 backup strategy on the gitforge of three copies, at least two mediums, with one offsite.
You never make such a mistake again by having real backups next time. This is how most people learn why they need backups.
I usually physically take drives out and boot without them before wiping. Just something I do now, because of this exact situation.
Personally, I configure my entire os before signing in to websites or any software (or putting any privacy critical info on my system) then I backup my os to my NAS using rescuezilla, using linux its usually max 30Gb. I also have a private github repo that i backup my dotfiles to just in case my NAS kicks the bucket. Going back to a “clean” install after doing something stupid kinda sucks but at least all your hard work making it look and feel the way you want will persist. I also highly reccomend doing some sort of offline & off network backup for privacy sensative information. Best of luck, I feel your pain I nuked my system once after days of work and i said, never again.
The whole drive? Not just a partition? No snapshots?
All I can say is that I’ve done similar before, and done exactly what you did, in times before backups were a thing for home gamers; when doing backups meant owning an expensive tape drive and diligence. You’re not alone.
For not making the mistake again? Check critical commands twice.
Also, you can undo wipefs
I have nothing to offer but some sympathy and one advice: I have two critical backups running: my personal files and the various folders containing my config files.
As I learned more or less the exact same way you just did how critical it is to backup those files too as, losing them by formatting my drive, I instantly realized they’re as personal and important as my ‘real’ files are.
only thing that helps is more frequent backups. new backup before you wipe or change anything.
Perhaps try git for your configuration?
I haven’t done it yet, but I thought about trying to restore it on another PC and see if it starts.
