# hbkit: reconstructing Synology Hyper Backup archives

> hbkit reconstructs the Synology Hyper Backup .hbk archive format and implements a Python file-recovery tool. Its specification separates layouts established by file reconstruction from those read from HyperBackupExplorer disassembly or inferred from observations. The CLI and terminal interface browse, extract and check archived files against stored MD5 and CRC32 values.

- Type: Case study
- Targets: App
- Category: Independent reconstruction cases
- Relationship: Independent reconstruction project
- Sources reviewed: 2026-11-08
- Added to the catalog: 2026-11-09
- Original resource: <https://github.com/YordiLorenzo/hbkit>
- Primary source: <https://github.com/YordiLorenzo/hbkit/blob/db587c8c874062ad589f480b11c668204c2ccb34/FORMAT.md>
- Catalog page: <https://awesomerea.org/resources/hbkit-hyper-backup-format-case/>
- Record JSON: <https://awesomerea.org/resources/hbkit-hyper-backup-format-case/record.json>
- Chinese version: [简体中文](https://awesomerea.org/zh/resources/hbkit-hyper-backup-format-case/index.md)

## Requirements & limits

- **Prerequisites:** Python 3.10 or newer and liblz4 for extraction.
- **Prerequisites:** A .hbk archive; encrypted archives require a password.
- **Limits:** The format study began with DSM 7 Hyper Backup 4.1.2-4039 archives, and some variants remain based on disassembly alone.
- **License:** MIT license.

## Primary sources

1. <https://github.com/YordiLorenzo/hbkit/blob/db587c8c874062ad589f480b11c668204c2ccb34/FORMAT.md>
2. <https://github.com/YordiLorenzo/hbkit/blob/db587c8c874062ad589f480b11c668204c2ccb34/README.md>
3. <https://github.com/YordiLorenzo/hbkit/blob/db587c8c874062ad589f480b11c668204c2ccb34/pyproject.toml>

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## About this entry

The description was reviewed against primary sources.
Original editorial content: MIT. Linked projects, papers and assets retain their own rights and licenses.