---
title: "pas5"
description: "Generate and filter Paperback .pas5 backups from AniList or the canonical registry."
---

> Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://manifold.jfa.dev/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# pas5

## `create`: generate a backup

```sh
manifold pas5 create --source <anilist|registry> [flags]
```

Builds a source-free Paperback `.pas5` archive. Every imported title has a
canonical registry UUID, a registry-linked native **MangaDex**
attachment, and **MANIFOLD**. MangaDex owns reading and
chapter updates; the tracker owns canonical progress synchronization.

Use `--source anilist` to read the authenticated AniList list, or
`--source registry` to read active entries and list state from the canonical
registry. Registry metadata is hydrated through the recorded AniList/MAL links;
the registry UUID and list state remain authoritative. Tombstoned entries,
entries without a native MangaDex link, and AniList entries missing a
registry UUID are skipped. Both sources require Manifold authentication; only
`--source anilist` requires AniList authentication.

## Verified restore procedure: start with an empty database

1. Export and keep the original Paperback backup.
2. Generate the new archive and ensure the native MangaDex extension
   used by its attachments is installed.
3. Restore into an empty Paperback database. The successful full-library test
   used a fresh installation and uppercase internal UUIDs.
4. Run Paperback's database repair **before opening imported titles**.
5. Check saved state after leaving and reopening titles before discarding the
   original backup.

Repair alone did not fix every imported title in an existing database.
Restoring may replace the on-device library.

## `filter`: isolate providers in an existing archive

Filter an existing backup offline, without AniList credentials, registry lookups,
or new IDs. Exclude providers with `--exclude-source`, `--exclude-mangadex`,
or `--exclude-tracker` (MANIFOLD). `--input` and `--out`
are required and must point to different files. Without `--apply`, this is a dry run.

```sh
manifold pas5 filter --input generated.pas5 --out mangadex-only.pas5 --exclude-tracker --apply
manifold pas5 filter --input generated.pas5 --out tracker-only.pas5 --exclude-mangadex --apply
```

This diagnostic subcommand deliberately retains tracker-only libraries. It
preserves existing library IDs, tabs, timestamps, and retained source metadata.
Entries without a remaining attachment are omitted and counted; missing provider
links are never invented. Excluded sources, their chapters and progress markers,
and unreferenced manga metadata are removed. Other providers are left unchanged.

Keep the original backup and test the outputs separately: restoring may replace
the device library. A tracker-only archive tests saved/tracking behavior, not
chapter reading. Normal generation still requires a native content provider.

## Filter flags

### `--input <path>`

Required existing `.pas5` archive. The input file is never overwritten.

```sh
manifold pas5 filter --input ./original.pas5 --out ./filtered.pas5 --exclude-tracker
```

### `--out <path>`

Required output path, different from the input path. Written only with `--apply`.

```sh
manifold pas5 filter --input ./original.pas5 --out ./filtered.pas5 --exclude-tracker --apply
```

### `--exclude-mangadex`

Remove native MangaDex attachments and their provider data. Default: `false`.

```sh
manifold pas5 filter --input ./original.pas5 --out ./no-mangadex.pas5 --exclude-mangadex
```

### `--exclude-tracker`

Remove MANIFOLD attachments and their provider data. Default: `false`.
At least one exclusion is required. Entries with no remaining attachments are omitted.

```sh
manifold pas5 filter --input ./original.pas5 --out ./native-only.pas5 --exclude-tracker
```

### `--exclude-source <ids>`

Remove attachments for a comma-separated list of exact Paperback source IDs,
including sources no longer supported by Manifold. Other sources are retained.

```sh
manifold pas5 filter --input ./original.pas5 --out ./filtered.pas5 --exclude-source ExampleSource --apply
```

### `--apply`

Write the filtered archive. Default: `false`; otherwise only report the result.

```sh
manifold pas5 filter --input ./original.pas5 --out ./native-only.pas5 --exclude-tracker --apply
```

## Create flags

### `--source <anilist|registry>`

Required input source; there is no default. `anilist` reads the live AniList
list and resolves canonical UUIDs/provider links through Manifold. `registry`
reads active canonical rows, recorded list state, and hydrated metadata without
requiring a local AniList or MAL login. MangaDex is an attachment,
not an accepted input source.

```sh
manifold login manifold
manifold pas5 create --source registry
```

### `--apply`

Write the generated `.pas5` archive. Without this flag, the command reports
the titles and output it would generate without writing the archive.

- Default: `false`

Example:

```sh
manifold pas5 create --source registry --apply
```

### `--tabs <value>`

Choose which AniList or registry statuses become Paperback library tabs. Use `auto` to
include all five mapped statuses, `none` to include all eligible titles without
creating status tabs, or pass a
comma-separated list of `reading`, `paused`, `dropped`, `completed`, and
`planning`.

With `auto` or a status list, new titles without a mapped list status are skipped.
This flag also filters imports, not just tab names. Use `none` for registry rows
that have metadata/provider links but no list state. Existing base titles are
enriched before this new-title filter runs.

- Default: `auto`

Example:

```sh
manifold pas5 create --source registry --tabs reading,completed
```

### `--base <path>`

Seed the generated archive from an existing `.pas5` export. Existing tab IDs
are reused when possible, which helps preserve device tab references. Titles
already present in the backup are enriched with missing MangaDex
attachments. Existing attachments with a different provider ID and ambiguous
matches are reported and left unchanged. All ManifoldSource attachments are
removed, along with retired-source attachments and their chapter data. Orphan
source/info rows are pruned. Existing tracker-only libraries are retained so
source retirement does not discard their saved library state; they cannot provide
chapter reading until a native source is attached.

- Default: no base archive

Example:

```sh
manifold pas5 create --source registry --base ./Paperback-Backup.pas5
```

### `--out <path>`

Set the path for the generated archive.

- Default: `Paperback-Generated.<date>.<time>.pas5`

Example:

```sh
manifold pas5 create --source registry --out ./backups/manifold.pas5
```

### `--limit <n>`

Non-negative limit for a canary archive. For `--source registry`, select the
first `n` active rows before metadata hydration and eligibility checks; skipped
entries can produce fewer than `n` new titles. For `--source anilist`, stop
after generating `n` new eligible titles. Existing base titles do not count as
new titles; the limit does not trim the base archive to `n` total titles.

- Default: no limit

Example:

```sh
manifold pas5 create --source registry --limit 10 --tabs none --apply --out ./Paperback-Registry-10.pas5
```

### `--anilist-token <token>`

Optional AniList access token override for `--source anilist`; unused for
`--source registry`. Resolve order: flag → `MANIFOLD_ANILIST_TOKEN` →
`login anilist` keychain.

Example:

```sh
manifold login anilist
manifold pas5 create --source anilist
```

### `--api-token <token>`

Personal API token used to resolve registry UUIDs and provider links. Falls
back to `MANIFOLD_TOKEN`, then the `login manifold` keychain session.
Required for both sources. A stale environment token overrides keychain login;
see [Manifold authentication](/cli/#manifold-authentication).

Example:

```sh
manifold pas5 create --source anilist --api-token "$MANIFOLD_TOKEN"
```

### `--api-origin <url>`

Personal API origin used for registry lookups.

- Default: `https://manifold.jfa.dev/api` (or `MANIFOLD_API_ORIGIN`)

Example:

```sh
manifold pas5 create --source registry --api-origin https://manifold.example/api
```

## Usage

```sh
manifold pas5 create --source anilist
manifold pas5 create --source registry --apply
manifold pas5 create --source registry --apply --base ./Paperback-Backup.pas5 --tabs reading,completed
```

`--tabs` filters source statuses into library tabs. Install the
MangaDex extension before restoring an archive that contains its
attachments. With `--base`, existing tab IDs are reused when possible;
restoring the generated archive on a device may **replace** the on-device
library — keep a copy of the original backup.

Source: https://manifold.jfa.dev/cli/pas5/index.mdx
