Bump version to 4.2.0

Use git.shouldnt.work as the clone URL, don't install wheel for
building, as setuptools no longer needs it, list paramiko among the
optional dependencies, and use the correct names of the remote
backup options (--ssh-user, --ssh-host).

PKGBUILD

@@ -0,0 +1,38 @@
+# PKGBUILD
+
+# Maintainer: Daniele Fucini <dfucini [at] gmail [dot] com>
+
+pkgname=simple_backup
+pkgdesc='Simple backup script that uses rsync to copy files'
+pkgver=4.1.7
+pkgrel=1
+url="https://git.shouldnt.work/fuxino/${pkgname}"
+arch=('any')
+license=('GPL-3.0-or-later')
+makedepends=('git'
+             'python-setuptools'
+             'python-build'
+             'python-installer')
+depends=('python>=3.10'
+         'rsync')
+optdepends=('python-systemd: use systemd log'
+            'python-dbus: for desktop notifications'
+            'python-paramiko: for remote backup through ssh')
+conflicts=('simple_backup-git')
+source=(git+${url}?signed#tag=${pkgver})
+validpgpkeys=('7E12BC1FF3B6EDB2CD8053EB981A2B2A3BBF5514')
+sha256sums=('011cd5546745e413ac7603b64531def2688c2bf6e4ea19876a67547a1db208ce')
+
+build()
+{
+    cd ${srcdir}/${pkgname}
+    python -m build --wheel --no-isolation
+}
+
+package()
+{
+    cd ${srcdir}/${pkgname}
+    python -m installer --destdir=${pkgdir} dist/*.whl
+    install -Dm644 ${pkgname}/${pkgname}.conf ${pkgdir}/usr/share/doc/${pkgname}/${pkgname}.conf
+    install -Dm644 man/${pkgname}.1 ${pkgdir}/usr/share/man/man1/${pkgname}.1
+}

README.md

@@ -20,21 +20,19 @@ The script uses rsync to actually run the backup, so you will have to install it
 sudo pacman -Syu rsync
 ```
 
-It's also required to have python-dotenv
+Optional dependencies are systemd-python to enable using systemd journal for logging, dbus-python for desktop notifications, and paramiko for remote backup.
-
-Optional dependencies are systemd-python to enable using systemd journal for logging, and dbus-python for desktop notifications.
 
 ## Install
 To install the program, first clone the repository:
 
 ```bash
-git clone https://github.com/Fuxino/simple_backup.git
+git clone https://git.shouldnt.work/fuxino/simple_backup.git
 ```
 
 Then install the tools required to build the package:
 
 ```bash
-pip install --upgrade build wheel
+pip install --upgrade build
 ```
 
 Finally, run:
@@ -49,11 +47,16 @@ For Arch Linux and Arch-based distros, two packages are available in the AUR (au
 - **simple_backup** for the release version
 - **simple_backup-git** for the git version
 
+## Old backups
+The number of old backups to keep can be set with the --keep (or -k) argument (or in the configuration file).
+Old backups are only removed if rsync completes successfully, so that they are not deleted when the new backup may be incomplete.
+The only rsync error that is ignored is return code 24 (source files vanished during the transfer), which is common when backing up a live system.
+
 ## Remote backup
 > **Warning**
 > This feature is experimental
 
-It's possible to use a remote server as destination for the backup. Just use the --username (or -u) and --host arguments (or set them in the configuration file).
+It's possible to use a remote server as destination for the backup. Just use the --ssh-user and --ssh-host arguments (or set them in the configuration file).
 For this to work, rsync must be installed on the server too.
 
 ### Server authentication
@@ -68,4 +71,4 @@ sudo --preserve-env=SSH_AUTH_SOCK -s simple_backup [options]
 
 or by editing the sudoers file.
 If SSH key authentication is not available, password authentication will be used instead.
-
+Check the man page for more details.

man/simple_backup.1

@@ -1,13 +1,13 @@
-.TH SIMPLE_BACKUP 1 2023-06-15 SIMPLE_BACKUP 3.2.6
+.TH SIMPLE_BACKUP 1 2026-10-08 SIMPLE_BACKUP 4.2.0
 .SH NAME
 simple_backup \- Backup files and folders using rsync
 .SH SYNOPSIS
-.BR simple_backup
+.B simple_backup
 \-h, \-\-help
 .PD 0
 .P
 .PD
-.BR simple_backup
+.B simple_backup
 [\-c, \-\-config FILE]
 [\-i, \-\-input INPUT [INPUT...]]
 [\-o, \-\-output DIR]
@@ -16,8 +16,8 @@ simple_backup \- Backup files and folders using rsync
 .PD
 .RS 14 [\-e, \-\-exclude FILE|DIR|PATTERN [FILE|...]]
 [\-k, \-\-keep N]
-[\-\-host HOSTNAME]
+[\-\-ssh\-host HOSTNAME]
-[\-u, \-\-username USERNAME]
+[\-\-ssh\-user USERNAME]
 [\-\-keyfile FILE]
 .PD 0
 .P
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ simple_backup \- Backup files and folders using rsync
 [\-\-remove\-before\-backup]
 .RE
 .SH DESCRIPTION
-.BR simple_backup
+.B simple_backup
 is a python script for performing backup of files and folders.
 .P
 It uses rsync to copy the files to the specified location. Parameters for the backup such as
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ Parameters specified on the command line will override those in the configuratio
 .SH OPTIONS
 .TP
 .B \-h, \-\-help
-Print a short help message and exit
+Print a short help message and exit.
 .TP
 .B \-c, \-\-config FILE
 Specify the configuration file, useful to specify a different one from the default.
@@ -52,21 +52,36 @@ or to use single or double quotes around them.
 .B \-o, \-\-output DIR
 Specify the directory where the files will be copied. The program will automatically
 create a subdirectory called \(aqsimple_backup\(aq (if it does not already exist) and
-inside this directory the actual backup directory (using the current date and time)
+inside this directory the actual backup directory (using the current date and time, for example
+\(aq2026\-10\-08_17\-34\-47\(aq).
+.RS
+.P
+Backups are best stored on a Linux filesystem (e.g. ext4 or btrfs). FAT and exFAT filesystems
+are supported, but they don\(aqt support hard links, so each backup will be a full copy instead
+of only storing files that changed since the previous one. File ownership and permissions are
+not preserved either.
+.RE
 .TP
 .B \-e, \-\-exclude FILE|DIR|PATTERN [FILE|...]]
 Specify files, directories or patterns to exclude from the backup. Matching files and directories
-will not be copied. Multiple elements can be specified, in the same way as for the \-\-input option
+will not be copied. Multiple elements can be specified, in the same way as for the \-\-input option.
 .TP
 .B \-k, \-\-keep N
 Specify how many old backups (so excluding the current one) will be kept. The default behavior
-is to keep them all (same as N=\-1)
+is to keep them all (same as N=\-1).
+Old backups are only removed if rsync completes successfully, to avoid deleting them when the
+new backup may be incomplete. rsync return code 24 (source files vanished during the transfer)
+is treated as success, while any other error (including return code 23, partial transfer due to error)
+will prevent old backups from being removed. This does not apply when using \-\-remove\-before\-backup.
 .TP
-.B \-\-host HOSTNAME
+.B \-u, \-\-user USERNAME
-Hostname of the server where to copy the files in case of remote backup through SSH
+Explicitly specify the user running the backup (in case it is needed for home directory expansion).
 .TP
-.B \-u, \-\-username USERNAME
+.B \-\-ssh\-host HOSTNAME
-Username for connecting to the server in case of remote backup
+Hostname of the server where to copy the files in case of remote backup through SSH.
+.TP
+.B \-\-ssh\-user USERNAME
+Username for connecting to the server in case of remote backup.
 .TP
 .B \-\-keyfile FILE
 Location of the SSH key for server authentication. 
@@ -83,47 +98,54 @@ if saving bandwith is needed.
 Remove old backups (if necessary) before creating the new backup. Useful to free some space
 before performing the backup.
 Default behavior is to remove old backups after successfully completing the backup.
+Note that if the backup fails after old backups have been removed, only the backups kept
+according to \-\-keep will be left, and the new backup may be incomplete. In particular, with
+\-\-keep 0 there will be no complete backup available until the next successful one.
 .TP
 .B \-\-no\-syslog
-Don't use systemd journal for logging
+Don't use systemd journal for logging.
 .TP
 .B \-\-rsync\-options OPTIONS [OPTION...]
 By default, the following rsync options are used:
 .RS
-.PP
+.P
     \-a \-r \-v \-h \-s \-H \-X
-.PP
+.P
 Using \-\-rsync\-options it is possible to manually select which options to use. Supported values are the following:
-.PP
+.P
     \-a, \-l, \-p, \-t, \-g, \-o, \-c, \-h, \-D, \-H, \-X, \-s
-.PP
+.P
-Options \-r and \-v are used in any case. Not that options must be specified without dash (\-), for example:
+Options \-r, \-v, \-\-ignore\-missing\-args and \-\-mkpath are used in any case. Note that options must be specified without dash (\-), for example:
-.PP
+.P
 .EX
     simple_backup \-\-rsync\-options a l p
 .EE
-.TP
+.P
 Check
-.B rsync (1)
+.BR rsync (1)
 for details about the options.
 .RE
 .TP
 .B \-\-remote\-sudo
 Run rsync on the remote server with sudo. This is needed if you want to preserve the owner of the files/folders to be copied (rsync \-\-owner option). For this to work the user used to login to the server obviously need to be allowed to use sudo. In addition, the user need to be able to run rsync with sudo without a password. To do this, /etc/sudoers on the server need to be edited adding a line like this one:
 .RS
-.PP
+.P
     <username> ALL=NOPASSWD:<path/to/rsync>
+.P
+To be able to remove old backups generated with \-\-remote\-sudo (see \-\-keep option), also
+.BR rm (1)
+needs to be allowed to run without password in the same way.
 .RE
 .TP
 .B \-\-numeric\-ids
-Use rsync \-\-numeric\-ids option. This causes rsync to use numeric uid/gid instead of trying to map uid/gid names from the local machine to the server
+Use rsync \-\-numeric\-ids option. This causes rsync to use numeric uid/gid instead of trying to map uid/gid names from the local machine to the server.
 .SH CONFIGURATION
 An example configuration file is provided at \(aq/usr/share/doc/simple_backup/simple_backup.conf\(aq.
 Copy it to the default location ($HOME/.config/simple_backup) and edit it as needed.
 .SH REMOTE BACKUP
 It is possible to choose a directory on a remote server as destination for the backup. The files
 are copied by rsync through SSH. Server hostname and username must be specified, either in the
-configuration file, or on the command line (\(aq\-\-host\(aq and \(aq\-\-username\(aq options).
+configuration file, or on the command line (\(aq\-\-ssh\-host\(aq and \(aq\-\-ssh\-user\(aq options).
 .SS AUTHENTICATION
 For authentication, it is possible to use SSH key or password.
 .P
@@ -136,7 +158,7 @@ When running
 .B simple_backup
 with
 .B sudo,
-in order to connect to the user\(aq s SSH agent it is necessary to preserve the \(aq SSH_AUTH_SOCK\(aq environment variable, for example:
+in order to connect to the user\(aqs SSH agent it is necessary to preserve the \(aqSSH_AUTH_SOCK\(aq environment variable, for example:
 .P
 .EX
     sudo --preserve-env=SSH_AUTH_SOCK -s simple_backup [options]
@@ -145,8 +167,7 @@ in order to connect to the user\(aq s SSH agent it is necessary to preserve the
 It is also possible to make this permanent by editing the
 .B sudoers
 file (see
-.B sudoers (5)
+.BR sudoers (5))
-)
 .P
 If SSH key authentication is not available, password authentication will be used instead.
 Note that in this case
@@ -154,33 +175,33 @@ Note that in this case
 (if available) will be used to send the password to rsync, to avoid prompting the user for
 the password multiple
 times. This can pose some security risks, see
-.B sshpass (1)
+.BR sshpass (1)
 for details. For this reason, use SSH key authentication if possible.
 .SH EXIT STATUS
 .TP
 .B 0
-The backup was completed without errors
+The backup was completed without errors.
 .TP
 .B 1
-No valid inputs selected for backup
+No valid inputs selected for backup.
 .TP
 .B 2
-Backup failed because output directory for storing the backup does not exist
+Backup failed because output directory for storing the backup does not exist.
 .TP
 .B 3
-Permission denied to access the output directory
+Permission denied to access the output directory.
 .TP
 .B 4
-rsync error (rsync returned a non-zero value)
+rsync error (rsync returned a non-zero value).
 .TP
 .B 5
-SSH connection failed
+SSH connection failed.
 .TP
 .B 6
-Bad configuration file
+Bad configuration file.
 .SH SEE ALSO
 .BR rsync (1)
 .SH AUTHORS
-.MT https://github.com/Fuxino
+.MT https://git.shouldnt.work/fuxino
 Daniele Fucini
 .ME

pyproject.toml

@@ -1,3 +1,48 @@
 [build-system]
-requires = ['setuptools']
+requires = ['setuptools>=77']
 build-backend = 'setuptools.build_meta'
+
+[project]
+name = "simple_backup"
+dynamic = ["version"]
+description = "Simple backup script that uses rsync to copy files"
+readme = "README.md"
+requires-python = ">=3.10"
+license = "GPL-3.0-or-later"
+license-files = ["LICENSE"]
+authors = [
+  { name = "Daniele Fucini", email = "dfucini@gmail.com" }
+]
+maintainers = [
+  { name = "Daniele Fucini", email = "dfucini@gmail.com" }
+]
+classifiers = [
+  "Development Status :: 4 - Beta",
+  "Environment :: Console",
+  "Natural Language :: English",
+  "Operating System :: POSIX :: Linux",
+  "Programming Language :: Python :: 3",
+  "Programming Language :: Python :: 3.10",
+  "Programming Language :: Python :: 3.11",
+  "Programming Language :: Python :: 3.12",
+  "Programming Language :: Python :: 3.13",
+  "Programming Language :: Python :: 3.14",
+  "Topic :: System :: Archiving :: Backup",
+]
+
+[project.optional-dependencies]
+JOURNAL = ["systemd-python"]
+NOTIFICATIONS = ["dbus-python"]
+REMOTE = ["paramiko"]
+
+[project.urls]
+Homepage = "https://git.shouldnt.work/fuxino/simple_backup"
+
+[project.scripts]
+simple_backup = "simple_backup.simple_backup:simple_backup"
+
+[tool.setuptools]
+packages = ["simple_backup"]
+
+[tool.setuptools.dynamic]
+version = { attr = "simple_backup.__version__" }

setup.cfg

@@ -1,40 +0,0 @@
-[metadata]
-name = simple_backup
-version = attr: simple_backup.__version__
-description = Simple backup script using rsync
-long_description = file: README.md
-author = Daniele Fucini
-author_email = dfucini@gmail.com
-license = GPL3
-url = https://github.com/Fuxino/simple_backup
-classifiers =
-   Development Status :: 4 - Beta
-   Environment :: Console
-   License :: OSI Approved :: GNU General Public License v3 (GPLv3)
-   Natural Language :: English
-   Operating System :: POSIX :: Linux
-   Programming Language :: Python :: 3.7
-   Programming Language :: Python :: 3.8
-   Programming Language :: Python :: 3.9
-   Programming Language :: Python :: 3.10
-   Programming Language :: Python :: 3.11
-   Topic :: System :: Archiving :: Backup
-
-[options]
-packages = simple_backup
-python_requires = >=3.7
-install_requires =
-   python-dotenv
-
-[options.extras_require]
-JOURNAL =
-    systemd-python
-NOTIFICATIONS =
-    dbus-python
-REMOTE =
-    paramiko
-
-[options.entry_points]
-console_scripts =
-   simple_backup = simple_backup.simple_backup:simple_backup
-

simple_backup/__init__.py

@@ -1,3 +1,3 @@
 """Init."""
 
-__version__ = '4.0.0'
+__version__ = '4.2.0'

simple_backup/simple_backup.conf

@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 
 [backup]
 # Files and directories to backup. Multiple items can be separated using a comma (','). It is possible to use wildcards (i.e. '*' to match multiple characters and '~' for the user's home directory).
-inputs=/home/my_home,/etc
+inputs=/home/user
 
 # Output directory.
 backup_dir=/media/Backup
@@ -15,8 +15,8 @@ keep=-1
 
 # Uncomment the following section to enable backup to remote server through ssh
 # [server]
-# host=
+# ssh_host=
-# username=
+# ssh_user=
 # ssh_keyfile=
 # remote_sudo=
 # numeric_ids=

simple_backup/simple_backup.py

@@ -10,9 +10,15 @@ Classes:
     MyFormatter
     Backup
 """
+
+# Avoid evaluating annotations at definition time, as they reference optional modules (paramiko)
+from __future__ import annotations
+
 # Import libraries
 import sys
 import os
+import pwd
+from typing import Callable, List, Optional, ParamSpec, TypeVar, Union
 import warnings
 from functools import wraps
 from shutil import rmtree, which
@@ -25,15 +31,10 @@ from timeit import default_timer
 from subprocess import Popen, PIPE, STDOUT
 from datetime import datetime
 from tempfile import mkstemp
-from getpass import getpass
+from getpass import GetPassWarning, getpass
 from glob import glob
 
-from dotenv import load_dotenv
-
-warnings.filterwarnings('error')
-
 try:
-    raise ImportError
     import paramiko
     from paramiko import RSAKey, Ed25519Key, ECDSAKey, DSSKey
 except ImportError:
@@ -47,19 +48,9 @@ except ImportError:
 try:
     import dbus
 except ImportError:
-    pass
+    dbus = None
 
 
-load_dotenv()
-euid = os.geteuid()
-
-if euid == 0:
-    user = os.getenv('SUDO_USER')
-    homedir = os.path.expanduser(f'~{user}')
-else:
-    user = os.getenv('USER')
-    homedir = os.getenv('HOME')
-
 logging.getLogger().setLevel(logging.DEBUG)
 logger = logging.getLogger(os.path.basename(__file__))
 c_handler = StreamHandler()
@@ -76,29 +67,29 @@ if journal:
     j_handler.setFormatter(j_format)
     logger.addHandler(j_handler)
 
+P = ParamSpec('P')
+R = TypeVar('R')
 
-def timing(_logger):
+
+def timing(func: Callable[P, R]) -> Callable[P, R]:
     """Decorator to measure execution time of a function
 
         Parameters:
-            _logger: Logger object
+            func: Function to decorate
     """
-    def decorator_timing(func):
     @wraps(func)
-        def wrapper_timing(*args, **kwargs):
+    def wrapper(*args: P.args, **kwargs: P.kwargs) -> R:
         start = default_timer()
 
         value = func(*args, **kwargs)
 
         end = default_timer()
 
-            _logger.info(f'Elapsed time: {end - start:.3f} seconds')
+        logger.info('Elapsed time: %.3f seconds', end - start)
 
         return value
 
-        return wrapper_timing
+    return wrapper
-
-    return decorator_timing
 
 
 class MyFormatter(argparse.RawTextHelpFormatter, argparse.ArgumentDefaultsHelpFormatter):
@@ -119,9 +110,9 @@ class Backup:
             String representing main backup options for rsync
         keep: int
             Number of old backup to preserve
-        host: str
+        ssh_host: str
             Hostname of server (for remote backup)
-        username: str
+        ssh_user: str
             Username for server login (for remote backup)
         ssh_keyfile: str
             Location of ssh key
@@ -143,52 +134,57 @@ class Backup:
             Perform the backup
     """
 
-    def __init__(self, inputs, output, exclude, keep, options, host=None, username=None,
+    def __init__(self, inputs: List[str], output: str, exclude: List[str], keep: int, options: str,
-                 ssh_keyfile=None, remote_sudo=False, remove_before=False):
+                 ssh_host: Optional[str] = None, ssh_user: Optional[str] = None, ssh_keyfile: Optional[str] = None,
+                 remote_sudo: bool = False, remove_before: bool = False, verbose: bool = False) -> None:
         self.inputs = inputs
         self.output = output
         self.exclude = exclude
         self.options = options
         self.keep = keep
-        self.host = host
+        self.ssh_host = ssh_host
-        self.username = username
+        self.ssh_user = ssh_user
         self.ssh_keyfile = ssh_keyfile
         self.remote_sudo = remote_sudo
         self._remove_before = remove_before
+        self._verbose = verbose
         self._last_backup = ''
         self._server = ''
         self._output_dir = ''
         self._inputs_path = ''
         self._exclude_path = ''
-        self._remote = None
+        self._remote = False
-        self._err_flag = False
         self._ssh = None
         self._password_auth = False
         self._password = None
+        self._removed_count = 0
 
-    def check_params(self):
+    def check_params(self, homedir: str = '') -> int:
         """Check if parameters for the backup are valid"""
 
         if self.inputs is None or len(self.inputs) == 0:
-            logger.info('No existing files or directories specified for backup. Nothing to do')
+            logger.info(
+                'No existing files or directories specified for backup. Nothing to do')
 
             return 1
 
         if self.output is None:
-            logger.critical('No output path specified. Use -o argument or specify output path in configuration file')
+            logger.critical(
+                'No output path specified. Use -o argument or specify output path in configuration file')
 
             return 2
 
-        if self.host is not None and self.username is not None:
+        if self.ssh_host is not None and self.ssh_user is not None:
             self._remote = True
 
         if self._remote:
-            self._ssh = self._ssh_connect()
+            self._ssh = self._ssh_connect(homedir)
 
             if self._ssh is None:
-                sys.exit(5)
+                return 5
 
-            _, stdout, _ = self._ssh.exec_command(f'if [ -d "{self.output}" ]; then echo "ok"; fi')
+            _, stdout, _ = self._ssh.exec_command(
+                f'if [ -d "{self.output}" ]; then echo "ok"; fi')
 
             output = stdout.read().decode('utf-8').strip()
 
@@ -210,19 +206,24 @@ class Backup:
         return 0
 
     # Function to create the actual backup directory
-    def define_backup_dir(self):
+    def define_backup_dir(self) -> None:
         """Define the actual backup dir"""
-        now = datetime.now().strftime('%Y-%m-%d %H:%M:%S')
+        # Avoid ':', which is not allowed on FAT/exFAT filesystems.
+        # Backups created with the old format ('%Y-%m-%d %H:%M:%S') still sort correctly
+        now = datetime.now().strftime('%Y-%m-%d_%H-%M-%S')
         self._output_dir = f'{self.output}/simple_backup/{now}'
 
         if self._remote:
-            self._server = f'{self.username}@{self.host}:'
+            self._server = f'{self.ssh_user}@{self.ssh_host}:'
 
-    def remove_old_backups(self):
+    def remove_old_backups(self) -> None:
         """Remove old backups if there are more than indicated by 'keep'"""
 
         if self._remote:
-            _, stdout, _ = self._ssh.exec_command(f'ls {self.output}/simple_backup')
+            assert self._ssh is not None
+
+            _, stdout, _ = self._ssh.exec_command(
+                f'ls {self.output}/simple_backup')
 
             dirs = stdout.read().decode('utf-8').strip().split('\n')
 
@@ -238,12 +239,18 @@ class Backup:
                 dirs.sort()
 
                 for i in range(n_backup - self.keep):
-                    _, _, stderr = self._ssh.exec_command(f'rm -r "{self.output}/simple_backup/{dirs[i]}"')
+                    if self.remote_sudo:
+                        _, _, stderr = self._ssh.exec_command(
+                            f'sudo rm -r "{self.output}/simple_backup/{dirs[i]}"')
+                    else:
+                        _, _, stderr = self._ssh.exec_command(
+                            f'rm -r "{self.output}/simple_backup/{dirs[i]}"')
 
                     err = stderr.read().decode('utf-8').strip().split('\n')[0]
 
                     if err != '':
-                        logger.error('Error while removing backup %s.', {dirs[i]})
+                        logger.error(
+                            'Error while removing backup %s.', {dirs[i]})
                         logger.error(err)
                     else:
                         count += 1
@@ -269,16 +276,20 @@ class Backup:
                         rmtree(f'{self.output}/simple_backup/{dirs[i]}')
                         count += 1
                     except FileNotFoundError:
-                        logger.error('Error while removing backup %s. Directory not found', dirs[i])
+                        logger.error(
+                            'Error while removing backup %s. Directory not found', dirs[i])
                     except PermissionError:
-                        logger.error('Error while removing backup %s. Permission denied', dirs[i])
+                        logger.error(
+                            'Error while removing backup %s. Permission denied', dirs[i])
+
+        self._removed_count = count
 
         if count == 1:
             logger.info('Removed %d backup', count)
         elif count > 1:
             logger.info('Removed %d backups', count)
 
-    def find_last_backup(self):
+    def find_last_backup(self) -> None:
         """Get path of last backup (from last_backup symlink) for rsync --link-dest"""
 
         if self._remote:
@@ -286,7 +297,8 @@ class Backup:
                 logger.critical('SSH connection to server failed')
                 sys.exit(5)
 
-            _, stdout, _ = self._ssh.exec_command(f'find {self.output}/simple_backup/ -mindepth 1 -maxdepth 1 -type d | sort')
+            _, stdout, _ = self._ssh.exec_command(
+                f'find {self.output}/simple_backup/ -mindepth 1 -maxdepth 1 -type d | sort')
             output = stdout.read().decode('utf-8').strip().split('\n')
 
             if output[-1] != '':
@@ -295,18 +307,17 @@ class Backup:
                 logger.info('No previous backups available')
         else:
             try:
-                dirs = sorted([f.path for f in os.scandir(f'{self.output}/simple_backup') if f.is_dir(follow_symlinks=False)])
+                dirs = sorted([f.path for f in os.scandir(
+                    f'{self.output}/simple_backup') if f.is_dir(follow_symlinks=False)])
             except FileNotFoundError:
                 logger.info('No previous backups available')
 
                 return
             except PermissionError:
-                logger.critical('Cannot access the backup directory. Permission denied')
+                logger.critical(
+                    'Cannot access the backup directory. Permission denied')
 
-                try:
+                _notify('Backup failed (check log for details)')
-                    notify('Backup failed (check log for details)')
-                except NameError:
-                    pass
 
                 sys.exit(3)
 
@@ -315,26 +326,31 @@ class Backup:
             except IndexError:
                 logger.info('No previous backups available')
 
-    def _ssh_connect(self):
+    def _ssh_connect(self, homedir: str = '') -> Optional[paramiko.client.SSHClient]:
         try:
             ssh = paramiko.SSHClient()
         except NameError:
             logger.error('Install paramiko for ssh support')
+
             return None
 
         try:
             ssh.load_host_keys(filename=f'{homedir}/.ssh/known_hosts')
         except FileNotFoundError:
-            logger.warning(f'Cannot find file {homedir}/.ssh/known_hosts')
+            logger.warning('Cannot find file %s/.ssh/known_hosts', homedir)
 
         ssh.set_missing_host_key_policy(paramiko.WarningPolicy())
 
         try:
-            ssh.connect(self.host, username=self.username)
+            # WarningPolicy emits a UserWarning for unknown host keys
+            with warnings.catch_warnings():
+                warnings.simplefilter('error', UserWarning)
+                ssh.connect(self.ssh_host, username=self.ssh_user)
 
             return ssh
         except UserWarning:
-            k = input(f'Unknown key for host {self.host}. Continue anyway? (Y/N) ')
+            k = input(
+                f'Unknown key for host {self.ssh_host}. Continue anyway? (Y/N) ')
 
             if k[0].upper() == 'Y':
                 ssh.set_missing_host_key_policy(paramiko.AutoAddPolicy())
@@ -349,7 +365,7 @@ class Backup:
             pass
 
         try:
-            ssh.connect(self.host, username=self.username)
+            ssh.connect(self.ssh_host, username=self.ssh_user)
 
             return ssh
         except paramiko.SSHException:
@@ -357,13 +373,24 @@ class Backup:
 
         if self.ssh_keyfile is None:
             try:
-                password = getpass(f'{self.username}@{self.host}\'s password: ')
+                # Fail instead of reading the password with echo if no terminal is available
-                ssh.connect(self.host, username=self.username, password=password)
+                with warnings.catch_warnings():
+                    warnings.simplefilter('error', GetPassWarning)
+                    password = getpass(
+                        f'{self.ssh_user}@{self.ssh_host}\'s password: ')
+
+                ssh.connect(self.ssh_host, username=self.ssh_user,
+                            password=password)
 
                 self._password_auth = True
                 os.environ['SSHPASS'] = password
 
                 return ssh
+            except GetPassWarning as e:
+                logger.critical('Unable to get password')
+                logger.critical(e)
+
+                return None
             except paramiko.SSHException as e:
                 logger.critical('Can\'t connect to the server.')
                 logger.critical(e)
@@ -375,7 +402,8 @@ class Backup:
         try:
             pkey = RSAKey.from_private_key_file(self.ssh_keyfile)
         except paramiko.PasswordRequiredException:
-            password = getpass(f'Enter passwphrase for key \'{self.ssh_keyfile}\': ')
+            password = getpass(
+                f'Enter passwphrase for key \'{self.ssh_keyfile}\': ')
 
             try:
                 pkey = RSAKey.from_private_key_file(self.ssh_keyfile, password)
@@ -387,7 +415,8 @@ class Backup:
                 pkey = Ed25519Key.from_private_key_file(self.ssh_keyfile)
             except paramiko.PasswordRequiredException:
                 try:
-                    pkey = Ed25519Key.from_private_key_file(self.ssh_keyfile, password)
+                    pkey = Ed25519Key.from_private_key_file(
+                        self.ssh_keyfile, password)
                 except paramiko.SSHException:
                     pass
 
@@ -396,7 +425,8 @@ class Backup:
                 pkey = ECDSAKey.from_private_key_file(self.ssh_keyfile)
             except paramiko.PasswordRequiredException:
                 try:
-                    pkey = ECDSAKey.from_private_key_file(self.ssh_keyfile, password)
+                    pkey = ECDSAKey.from_private_key_file(
+                        self.ssh_keyfile, password)
                 except paramiko.SSHException:
                     pass
 
@@ -405,12 +435,13 @@ class Backup:
                 pkey = DSSKey.from_private_key_file(self.ssh_keyfile)
             except paramiko.PasswordRequiredException:
                 try:
-                    pkey = DSSKey.from_private_key_file(self.ssh_keyfile, password)
+                    pkey = DSSKey.from_private_key_file(
+                        self.ssh_keyfile, password)
                 except paramiko.SSHException:
                     pass
 
         try:
-            ssh.connect(self.host, username=self.username, pkey=pkey)
+            ssh.connect(self.ssh_host, username=self.ssh_user, pkey=pkey)
         except paramiko.SSHException:
             logger.critical('SSH connection to server failed')
 
@@ -418,46 +449,97 @@ class Backup:
 
         return ssh
 
+    def _returncode_log(self, returncode: int) -> None:
+        match returncode:
+            case 2:
+                logger.error(
+                    'Rsync error (return code 2) - Protocol incompatibility')
+            case 3:
+                logger.error(
+                    'Rsync error (return code 3) - Errors selecting input/output files, dirs')
+            case 4:
+                logger.error(
+                    'Rsync error (return code 4) - Requested action not supported')
+            case 5:
+                logger.error(
+                    'Rsync error (return code 5) - Error starting client-server protocol')
+            case 10:
+                logger.error(
+                    'Rsync error (return code 10) - Error in socket I/O')
+            case 11:
+                logger.error(
+                    'Rsync error (return code 11) - Error in file I/O')
+            case 12:
+                logger.error(
+                    'Rsync error (return code 12) - Error in rsync protocol data stream')
+            case 22:
+                logger.error(
+                    'Rsync error (return code 22) - Error allocating core memory buffers')
+            case 23:
+                logger.warning(
+                    'Rsync error (return code 23) - Partial transfer due to error')
+            case 24:
+                logger.warning(
+                    'Rsync error (return code 24) - Partial transfer due to vanished source files')
+            case 30:
+                logger.error(
+                    'Rsync error (return code 30) - Timeout in data send/receive')
+            case 35:
+                logger.error(
+                    'Rsync error (return code 35) - Timeout waiting for daemon connection')
+            case _:
+                logger.error(
+                    'Rsync error (return code %d) - Check rsync(1) for details', returncode)
+
     # Function to read configuration file
-    @timing(logger)
+    @timing
-    def run(self):
+    def run(self) -> int:
         """Perform the backup"""
 
-        logger.info('Starting backup...')
-
         try:
-            _notify('Starting backup...')
+            return self._run()
-        except NameError:
+        finally:
+            self._remove_temp_files()
+
+    def _remove_temp_files(self) -> None:
+        for path in [self._inputs_path, self._exclude_path]:
+            if path != '':
+                try:
+                    os.remove(path)
+                except FileNotFoundError:
                     pass
 
-        self.define_backup_dir()
+    def _run(self) -> int:
-        self.find_last_backup()
+        logger.info('Starting backup...')
 
-        _, self._inputs_path = mkstemp(prefix='tmp_inputs', text=True)
+        _notify('Starting backup...')
+
+        self.define_backup_dir()
+
+        fd, self._inputs_path = mkstemp(prefix='tmp_inputs', text=True)
         count = 0
 
-        with open(self._inputs_path, 'w', encoding='utf-8') as fp:
+        with os.fdopen(fd, 'w', encoding='utf-8') as fp:
             for i in self.inputs:
                 if not os.path.exists(i):
                     logger.warning('Input %s not found. Skipping', i)
                 else:
-                    fp.write(i)
+                    # rsync reads --files-from paths relative to the source ('/')
+                    fp.write(os.path.abspath(i))
                     fp.write('\n')
                     count += 1
 
         if count == 0:
-            logger.info('No existing files or directories specified for backup. Nothing to do')
+            logger.info(
+                'No existing files or directories specified for backup. Nothing to do')
 
-            try:
+            _notify('Backup finished. No files copied')
-                notify('Backup finished. No files copied')
-            except NameError:
-                pass
 
             return 1
 
-        _, self._exclude_path = mkstemp(prefix='tmp_exclude', text=True)
+        fd, self._exclude_path = mkstemp(prefix='tmp_exclude', text=True)
 
-        with open(self._exclude_path, 'w', encoding='utf-8') as fp:
+        with os.fdopen(fd, 'w', encoding='utf-8') as fp:
             if self.exclude is not None:
                 for e in self.exclude:
                     fp.write(e)
@@ -466,6 +548,9 @@ class Backup:
         if self.keep != -1 and self._remove_before:
             self.remove_old_backups()
 
+        # Only look for the last backup now, as it may have been removed above
+        self.find_last_backup()
+
         logger.info('Copying files. This may take a long time...')
 
         if self._last_backup == '':
@@ -475,10 +560,12 @@ class Backup:
             rsync = f'/usr/bin/rsync {self.options} --link-dest="{self._last_backup}" --exclude-from=' +\
                 f'{self._exclude_path} --files-from={self._inputs_path} / "{self._server}{self._output_dir}"'
 
+        euid = os.geteuid()
+
         if euid == 0 and self.ssh_keyfile is not None:
             rsync = f'{rsync} -e \'ssh -i {self.ssh_keyfile} -o StrictHostKeyChecking=no\''
         elif self._password_auth and which('sshpass'):
-            rsync = f'{rsync} -e \'sshpass -e ssh -l {self.username} -o StrictHostKeyChecking=no\''
+            rsync = f'{rsync} -e \'sshpass -e ssh -l {self.ssh_user} -o StrictHostKeyChecking=no\''
         else:
             rsync = f'{rsync} -e \'ssh -o StrictHostKeyChecking=no\''
 
@@ -488,6 +575,7 @@ class Backup:
         args = shlex.split(rsync)
 
         with Popen(args, stdin=PIPE, stdout=PIPE, stderr=STDOUT, shell=False) as p:
+            output: Union[bytes, List[str]]
             output, _ = p.communicate()
 
             try:
@@ -495,133 +583,188 @@ class Backup:
             except KeyError:
                 pass
 
-            if p.returncode != 0:
+            returncode = p.returncode
-                self._err_flag = True
 
         output = output.decode("utf-8").split('\n')
 
-        if self._err_flag:
+        if returncode == 0:
-            logger.error('rsync: %s', output)
+            if self._verbose:
+                logger.info('rsync: %s', output)
             else:
                 logger.info('rsync: %s', output[-3])
                 logger.info('rsync: %s', output[-2])
+        else:
+            self._returncode_log(returncode)
+
+            if self._verbose:
+                if returncode in [23, 24]:
+                    logger.warning(output)
+                else:
+                    logger.error(output)
+
+        if self._removed_count > 0 and returncode not in [0, 24]:
+            # With --remove-before-backup, old backups are already gone if the new one failed
+            if self.keep == 0:
+                message = 'All old backups were removed before the backup, and the new backup may be ' +\
+                    'incomplete. No complete backup is available'
+            else:
+                message = 'Old backups were removed before the backup, and the new backup may be incomplete'
+
+            logger.error(message)
+            _notify(message)
 
         if self.keep != -1 and not self._remove_before:
+            # Don't delete old backups if the new one may be incomplete
+            if returncode in [0, 24]:
                 self.remove_old_backups()
-
+            else:
-        os.remove(self._inputs_path)
+                logger.warning('Backup not completed successfully. Old backups will not be removed')
-        os.remove(self._exclude_path)
 
         if self._remote:
-            _, stdout, _ = self._ssh.exec_command(f'if [ -d "{self._output_dir}" ]; then echo "ok"; fi')
+            assert self._ssh is not None
+
+            _, stdout, _ = self._ssh.exec_command(
+                f'if [ -d "{self._output_dir}" ]; then echo "ok"; fi')
 
             output = stdout.read().decode('utf-8').strip()
 
             if output == 'ok':
                 logger.info('Backup completed')
 
-                try:
                 _notify('Backup completed')
-                except NameError:
-                    pass
             else:
                 logger.error('Backup failed')
 
-                try:
                 _notify('Backup failed (check log for details)')
-                except NameError:
-                    pass
 
             if self._ssh:
                 self._ssh.close()
         else:
-            if self._err_flag:
+            if returncode != 0:
-                logger.error('Some errors occurred while performing the backup')
+                logger.error(
+                    'Some errors occurred while performing the backup')
 
-                try:
+                _notify(
-                    _notify('Some errors occurred while performing the backup. Check log for details')
+                    'Some errors occurred while performing the backup. Check log for details')
-                except NameError:
-                    pass
 
                 return 4
-            else:
+
             logger.info('Backup completed')
 
-                try:
             _notify('Backup completed')
-                except NameError:
-                    pass
 
             return 0
 
 
-def _parse_arguments():
+def _detect_user() -> Optional[str]:
+    if os.geteuid() == 0:
+        return os.getenv('SUDO_USER') or os.getenv('DOAS_USER')
+
+    return os.getenv('USER')
+
+
+def _parse_arguments() -> argparse.Namespace:
     parser = argparse.ArgumentParser(prog='simple_backup',
                                      description='Simple backup script written in Python that uses rsync to copy files',
                                      epilog='See simple_backup(1) manpage for full documentation',
                                      formatter_class=MyFormatter)
 
-    parser.add_argument('-c', '--config', default=f'{homedir}/.config/simple_backup/simple_backup.conf',
+    parser.add_argument('-v', '--verbose', action='store_true',
+                        help='More verbose output')
+    parser.add_argument('-c', '--config', default='~/.config/simple_backup/simple_backup.conf',
                         help='Specify location of configuration file')
-    parser.add_argument('-i', '--inputs', nargs='+', help='Paths/files to backup')
+    parser.add_argument('-i', '--inputs', nargs='+',
-    parser.add_argument('-o', '--output', help='Output directory for the backup')
+                        help='Paths/files to backup')
-    parser.add_argument('-e', '--exclude', nargs='+', help='Files/directories/patterns to exclude from the backup')
+    parser.add_argument(
-    parser.add_argument('-k', '--keep', type=int, help='Number of old backups to keep')
+        '-o', '--output', help='Output directory for the backup')
-    parser.add_argument('--host', help='Server hostname (for remote backup)')
+    parser.add_argument('-e', '--exclude', nargs='+',
-    parser.add_argument('-u', '--username', help='Username to connect to server (for remote backup)')
+                        help='Files/directories/patterns to exclude from the backup')
-    parser.add_argument('--keyfile', help='SSH key location')
+    parser.add_argument('-k', '--keep', type=int,
+                        help='Number of old backups to keep')
+    parser.add_argument(
+        '-u', '--user', help='Explicitly specify the user running the backup')
     parser.add_argument('-s', '--checksum', action='store_true',
                         help='Use checksum rsync option to compare files')
-    parser.add_argument('-z', '--compress', action='store_true', help='Compress data during the transfer')
+    parser.add_argument(
+        '--ssh-host', help='Server hostname (for remote backup)')
+    parser.add_argument(
+        '--ssh-user', help='Username to connect to server (for remote backup)')
+    parser.add_argument('--keyfile', help='SSH key location')
+    parser.add_argument('-z', '--compress', action='store_true',
+                        help='Compress data during the transfer')
     parser.add_argument('--remove-before-backup', action='store_true',
                         help='Remove old backups before executing the backup, instead of after')
-    parser.add_argument('--no-syslog', action='store_true', help='Disable systemd journal logging')
+    parser.add_argument('--no-syslog', action='store_true',
+                        help='Disable systemd journal logging')
     parser.add_argument('--rsync-options', nargs='+',
-                        choices=['a', 'l', 'p', 't', 'g', 'o', 'c', 'h', 's', 'D', 'H', 'X'],
+                        choices=['a', 'l', 'p', 't', 'g', 'o',
+                                 'c', 'h', 's', 'D', 'H', 'X'],
                         help='Specify options for rsync')
-    parser.add_argument('--remote-sudo', action='store_true', help='Run rsync on remote server with sudo if allowed')
+    parser.add_argument('--remote-sudo', action='store_true',
+                        help='Run rsync on remote server with sudo if allowed')
     parser.add_argument('--numeric-ids', action='store_true',
-                        help='Use rsync \'--numeric-ids\' option (don\'t map uid/gid values by name')
+                        help='Use rsync \'--numeric-ids\' option (don\'t map uid/gid values by name)')
 
     args = parser.parse_args()
 
     return args
 
 
-def _expand_inputs(inputs):
+def _expand_home(path: str, user: str) -> str:
+    """Expand a leading '~' to the home directory of user (other '~' are left as they are)"""
+
+    if path == '~' or path.startswith('~/'):
+        path = f'~{user}{path[1:]}'
+
+    return os.path.expanduser(path)
+
+
+def _expand_inputs(inputs, user: Optional[str] = None):
     expanded_inputs = []
 
     for i in inputs:
         if i == '':
             continue
 
-        i_ex = glob(os.path.expanduser(i.replace('~', f'~{user}')))
+        if user is not None:
+            i_ex = glob(_expand_home(i, user))
+        else:
+            i_ex = glob(i)
+
+            if i.startswith('~'):
+                logger.warning('Cannot expand \'~\'. No user specified')
 
         if len(i_ex) == 0:
-            logger.warning('No file or directory matching input %s. Skipping...', i)
+            logger.warning(
+                'No file or directory matching input %s. Skipping...', i)
         else:
             expanded_inputs.extend(i_ex)
 
     return expanded_inputs
 
 
-def _read_config(config_file):
+def _read_config(config_file, user: Optional[str] = None):
     config_args = {'inputs': None,
                    'output': None,
                    'exclude': None,
                    'keep': -1,
-                   'host': None,
+                   'ssh_host': None,
-                   'username': None,
+                   'ssh_user': None,
                    'ssh_keyfile': None,
                    'remote_sudo': False,
                    'numeric_ids': False}
 
     if not os.path.isfile(config_file):
+        if user is not None:
             logger.warning('Config file %s does not exist', config_file)
+        else:
+            logger.warning(
+                'User not specified. Can\'t read configuration file')
 
         return config_args
 
-    config = configparser.ConfigParser()
+    # Disable interpolation, so that '%' can be used in paths and patterns
+    config = configparser.ConfigParser(interpolation=None)
     config.read(config_file)
 
     section = 'backup'
@@ -633,20 +776,24 @@ def _read_config(config_file):
         section = 'default'
         inputs = config.get(section, 'inputs')
 
-    inputs = inputs.split(',')
+    inputs = [i.strip() for i in inputs.split(',')]
-    inputs = _expand_inputs(inputs)
+    inputs = _expand_inputs(inputs, user)
     inputs = list(set(inputs))
 
     config_args['inputs'] = inputs
 
     output = config.get(section, 'backup_dir')
-    output = os.path.expanduser(output.replace('~', f'~{user}'))
+
+    if user is not None:
+        output = _expand_home(output, user)
+    elif user is None and output.startswith('~'):
+        logger.warning('Cannot expand \'~\', no user specified')
 
     config_args['output'] = output
 
     try:
         exclude = config.get(section, 'exclude')
-        exclude = exclude.split(',')
+        exclude = [e.strip() for e in exclude.split(',') if e.strip() != '']
     except configparser.NoOptionError:
         exclude = []
 
@@ -660,14 +807,14 @@ def _read_config(config_file):
     config_args['keep'] = keep
 
     try:
-        host = config.get('server', 'host')
+        ssh_host = config.get('server', 'ssh_host')
-        username = config.get('server', 'username')
+        ssh_user = config.get('server', 'ssh_user')
     except (configparser.NoSectionError, configparser.NoOptionError):
-        host = None
+        ssh_host = None
-        username = None
+        ssh_user = None
 
-    config_args['host'] = host
+    config_args['ssh_host'] = ssh_host
-    config_args['username'] = username
+    config_args['ssh_user'] = ssh_user
 
     try:
         ssh_keyfile = config.get('server', 'ssh_keyfile')
@@ -693,55 +840,122 @@ def _read_config(config_file):
     return config_args
 
 
-def _notify(text):
+def _target_uid() -> int | None:
-    _euid = os.geteuid()
+    euid = os.geteuid()
 
-    if _euid == 0:
+    if euid != 0:
-        uid = os.getenv('SUDO_UID')
+        return euid
-    else:
-        uid = os.geteuid()
 
-    os.seteuid(int(uid))
+    if (val := os.getenv('SUDO_UID')) is not None:
+        return int(val)
+
+    if (name := os.getenv('DOAS_USER')) is not None:
+        try:
+            return pwd.getpwnam(name).pw_uid
+        except KeyError:
+            return None
+
+    return None
+
+
+_notify_failed = False
+
+
+def _notify(text: str) -> None:
+    global _notify_failed
+
+    if dbus is None or _notify_failed:
+        return
+
+    euid = os.geteuid()
+    uid = _target_uid()
+
+    if uid is None:
+        logger.debug('Cannot send desktop notification: user not found')
+
+        return
+
+    os.seteuid(uid)
+
+    try:
         os.environ['DBUS_SESSION_BUS_ADDRESS'] = f'unix:path=/run/user/{uid}/bus'
 
-    obj = dbus.SessionBus().get_object('org.freedesktop.Notifications', '/org/freedesktop/Notifications')
+        obj = dbus.SessionBus().get_object('org.freedesktop.Notifications',
+                                           '/org/freedesktop/Notifications')
         obj = dbus.Interface(obj, 'org.freedesktop.Notifications')
-    obj.Notify('', 0, '', 'simple_backup', text, [], {'urgency': 1}, 10000)
+        obj.Notify('simple_backup', 0, '', 'simple_backup', text, [], {'urgency': dbus.Byte(1)}, 10000)
-
+    except Exception as e:
-    os.seteuid(int(_euid))
+        # Report the failure only once (e.g. no session bus available), then stop trying
+        _notify_failed = True
+        logger.warning('Cannot send desktop notification: %s', e)
+    finally:
+        os.seteuid(euid)
 
 
-def simple_backup():
+def simple_backup() -> int:
     """Main"""
 
     args = _parse_arguments()
 
+    if args.user:
+        user = args.user
+        homedir = os.path.expanduser(f'~{user}')
+    else:
+        euid = os.geteuid()
+
+        if euid == 0:
+            user = _detect_user()
+
+            if user is not None:
+                homedir = os.path.expanduser(f'~{user}')
+            else:
+                logger.warning(
+                    'Failed to detect user. You can use -u/--user parameter to manually specify it')
+                homedir = None
+        else:
+            user = os.getenv('USER')
+            homedir = os.getenv('HOME')
+
+    if homedir is None:
+        homedir = ''
+
     if args.no_syslog:
         try:
             logger.removeHandler(j_handler)
         except NameError:
             pass
 
+    config_file = args.config
+
+    # Expand '~' to the home of the user running the backup, not root's
+    if config_file.startswith('~/') and user is not None:
+        config_file = f'~{user}{config_file[1:]}'
+
+    config_file = os.path.expanduser(config_file)
+
     try:
-        config_args = _read_config(args.config)
+        config_args = _read_config(config_file, user)
-    except (configparser.NoSectionError, configparser.NoOptionError):
+    except (configparser.Error, ValueError) as e:
-        logger.critical('Bad configuration file')
+        # configparser.Error: missing sections/options or bad syntax, ValueError: invalid values (e.g. keep=abc)
-        sys.exit(6)
+        logger.critical('Bad configuration file: %s', e)
+
+        return 6
 
     inputs = args.inputs if args.inputs is not None else config_args['inputs']
     output = args.output if args.output is not None else config_args['output']
     exclude = args.exclude if args.exclude is not None else config_args['exclude']
     keep = args.keep if args.keep is not None else config_args['keep']
-    host = args.host if args.host is not None else config_args['host']
+    ssh_host = args.ssh_host if args.ssh_host is not None else config_args['ssh_host']
-    username = args.username if args.username is not None else config_args['username']
+    ssh_user = args.ssh_user if args.ssh_user is not None else config_args['ssh_user']
     ssh_keyfile = args.keyfile if args.keyfile is not None else config_args['ssh_keyfile']
-    remote_sudo = args.remote_sudo if args.remote_sudo is not None else config_args['remote_sudo']
+    remote_sudo = args.remote_sudo or config_args['remote_sudo']
+
+    # Options needed in any case (--mkpath creates the backup directory on the first run)
+    rsync_options = ['-r', '-v', '--ignore-missing-args', '--mkpath']
 
     if args.rsync_options is None:
-        rsync_options = ['-a', '-r', '-v', '-h', '-H', '-X', '-s', '--ignore-missing-args', '--mkpath']
+        rsync_options.extend(['-a', '-h', '-H', '-X', '-s'])
     else:
-        rsync_options = ['-r', '-v']
-
         for ro in args.rsync_options:
             rsync_options.append(f'-{ro}')
 
@@ -756,10 +970,10 @@ def simple_backup():
 
     rsync_options = ' '.join(rsync_options)
 
-    backup = Backup(inputs, output, exclude, keep, rsync_options, host, username, ssh_keyfile,
+    backup = Backup(inputs, output, exclude, keep, rsync_options, ssh_host, ssh_user, ssh_keyfile,
-                    remote_sudo, remove_before=args.remove_before_backup)
+                    remote_sudo, remove_before=args.remove_before_backup, verbose=args.verbose)
 
-    return_code = backup.check_params()
+    return_code = backup.check_params(homedir)
 
     if return_code == 0:
         return backup.run()