chore: promote changelog [Unreleased] → [01.38.05]

Expanded the help modal with:
- Absolute paths: starts with / or drive letter, used as-is
- Relative paths: ./backups, ../backups, ../../backups with table
  showing URL-style conventions and resolved examples
- Placeholder paths: detailed descriptions of each placeholder
  with current server values
- Recommended configurations table: single site, multi-site,
  date-organized, per-profile, shared hosting
- Security warnings for web-root-accessible paths
- Help button uses JS click handler with Bootstrap 5 fallback
  (fixes non-working tooltip icon)

.mokogitea/workflows/auto-bump.yml

@@ -1,66 +1,66 @@
-# Copyright (C) 2026 Moko Consulting <hello@mokoconsulting.tech>
-#
-# SPDX-License-Identifier: GPL-3.0-or-later
-#
-# FILE INFORMATION
-# DEFGROUP: Gitea.Workflow
-# INGROUP: mokocli.Release
-# REPO: https://git.mokoconsulting.tech/MokoConsulting/mokocli
-# PATH: /.mokogitea/workflows/auto-bump.yml
-# VERSION: 09.02.00
-# BRIEF: Auto patch-bump version on every push to dev (skips merge commits)
-
-name: "Universal: Auto Version Bump"
-
-on:
-  push:
-    branches:
-      - dev
-      - rc
-      - 'feature/**'
-      - 'patch/**'
-
-env:
-  FORCE_JAVASCRIPT_ACTIONS_TO_NODE24: true
-  GITEA_URL: ${{ vars.GITEA_URL || 'https://git.mokoconsulting.tech' }}
-
-permissions:
-  contents: write
-
-jobs:
-  bump:
-    name: Version Bump
-    runs-on: release
-    if: >-
-      !contains(github.event.head_commit.message, '[skip ci]') &&
-      !contains(github.event.head_commit.message, '[skip bump]') &&
-      !startsWith(github.event.head_commit.message, 'Merge pull request')
-
-    steps:
-      - name: Checkout
-        uses: actions/checkout@de0fac2e4500dabe0009e67214ff5f5447ce83dd # v6
-        with:
-          token: ${{ secrets.MOKOGITEA_TOKEN }}
-          fetch-depth: 1
-
-      - name: Setup mokocli tools
-        run: |
-          if ! command -v composer &> /dev/null; then
-            sudo apt-get update -qq && sudo apt-get install -y -qq php-cli php-mbstring php-xml php-zip php-curl composer >/dev/null 2>&1
-          fi
-          if [ -d "/opt/mokocli/cli" ]; then
-            echo "MOKO_CLI=/opt/mokocli/cli" >> "$GITHUB_ENV"
-          else
-            git clone --depth 1 --branch main --quiet \
-              "https://x-access-token:${{ secrets.MOKOGITEA_TOKEN }}@git.mokoconsulting.tech/MokoConsulting/mokocli.git" \
-              /tmp/mokocli
-            cd /tmp/mokocli && composer install --no-dev --no-interaction --quiet
-            echo "MOKO_CLI=/tmp/mokocli/cli" >> "$GITHUB_ENV"
-          fi
-
-      - name: Bump version
-        run: |
-          php ${MOKO_CLI}/version_auto_bump.php \
-            --path . --branch "${GITHUB_REF_NAME}" \
-            --token "${{ secrets.MOKOGITEA_TOKEN }}" \
-            --repo-url "https://x-access-token:${{ secrets.MOKOGITEA_TOKEN }}@git.mokoconsulting.tech/${{ github.repository }}.git"
+# Copyright (C) 2026 Moko Consulting <hello@mokoconsulting.tech>
+#
+# SPDX-License-Identifier: GPL-3.0-or-later
+#
+# FILE INFORMATION
+# DEFGROUP: Gitea.Workflow
+# INGROUP: mokocli.Release
+# REPO: https://git.mokoconsulting.tech/MokoConsulting/mokocli
+# PATH: /.mokogitea/workflows/auto-bump.yml
+# VERSION: 09.02.00
+# BRIEF: Auto patch-bump version on every push to dev (skips merge commits)
+
+name: "Universal: Auto Version Bump"
+
+on:
+  push:
+    branches:
+      - dev
+      - rc
+      - 'feature/**'
+      - 'patch/**'
+
+env:
+  FORCE_JAVASCRIPT_ACTIONS_TO_NODE24: true
+  GITEA_URL: ${{ vars.GITEA_URL || 'https://git.mokoconsulting.tech' }}
+
+permissions:
+  contents: write
+
+jobs:
+  bump:
+    name: Version Bump
+    runs-on: release
+    if: >-
+      !contains(github.event.head_commit.message, '[skip ci]') &&
+      !contains(github.event.head_commit.message, '[skip bump]') &&
+      !startsWith(github.event.head_commit.message, 'Merge pull request')
+
+    steps:
+      - name: Checkout
+        uses: actions/checkout@de0fac2e4500dabe0009e67214ff5f5447ce83dd # v6
+        with:
+          token: ${{ secrets.MOKOGITEA_TOKEN }}
+          fetch-depth: 1
+
+      - name: Setup mokocli tools
+        run: |
+          if ! command -v composer &> /dev/null; then
+            sudo apt-get update -qq && sudo apt-get install -y -qq php-cli php-mbstring php-xml php-zip php-curl composer >/dev/null 2>&1
+          fi
+          if [ -d "/opt/mokocli/cli" ]; then
+            echo "MOKO_CLI=/opt/mokocli/cli" >> "$GITHUB_ENV"
+          else
+            git clone --depth 1 --branch main --quiet \
+              "https://x-access-token:${{ secrets.MOKOGITEA_TOKEN }}@git.mokoconsulting.tech/MokoConsulting/mokocli.git" \
+              /tmp/mokocli
+            cd /tmp/mokocli && composer install --no-dev --no-interaction --quiet
+            echo "MOKO_CLI=/tmp/mokocli/cli" >> "$GITHUB_ENV"
+          fi
+
+      - name: Bump version
+        run: |
+          php ${MOKO_CLI}/version_auto_bump.php \
+            --path . --branch "${GITHUB_REF_NAME}" \
+            --token "${{ secrets.MOKOGITEA_TOKEN }}" \
+            --repo-url "https://x-access-token:${{ secrets.MOKOGITEA_TOKEN }}@git.mokoconsulting.tech/${{ github.repository }}.git"

.mokogitea/workflows/issue-branch.yml

@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
 # FILE INFORMATION
 # DEFGROUP: Gitea.Workflow
 # INGROUP: mokocli.Automation
-# VERSION: 01.37.00
+# VERSION: 01.38.05
 # BRIEF: Auto-create feature branch when an issue is opened
 
 name: "Universal: Issue Branch"

CHANGELOG.md

@@ -1,22 +1,14 @@
 # Changelog
 ## [Unreleased]
 
-## [01.37.00] --- 2026-06-23
+## [01.38.05] --- 2026-06-23
 
-## [01.37.00] --- 2026-06-23
+## [01.38.05] --- 2026-06-23
 
-### Added
-- Run Backup button on profiles list and edit views with backup count badges (#100, #101)
-- Snapshot detail view with tabbed browser for articles, categories, and modules (#104)
-- "Do not navigate away" warning in backup and restore progress modals (#108)
-- Joomla Action Logs integration for restore, snapshot, and snapshot restore events (#110)
-- 8 comprehensive testing issues created (#111-#118)
-- Manual purge feature issue (#119)
+## [01.38.04] --- 2026-06-23
 
-## [01.36.00] --- 2026-06-23
+## [01.38.04] --- 2026-06-23
 
-## [01.36.00] --- 2026-06-23
+## [01.38.03] --- 2026-06-23
 
-## [01.35.04] --- 2026-06-23
-
-## [01.35.04] --- 2026-06-23
+## [01.38.03] --- 2026-06-23

README.md

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 # MokoSuiteBackup
 
-<!-- VERSION: 01.37.00 -->
+<!-- VERSION: 01.38.05 -->
 
 Full-site backup and restore for Joomla — database, files, and configuration.
 

source/packages/com_mokosuitebackup/forms/profile.xml

@@ -75,22 +75,22 @@
 			type="PlaceholderText"
 			label="COM_MOKOJOOMBACKUP_FIELD_ARCHIVE_NAME_FORMAT"
 			description="COM_MOKOJOOMBACKUP_FIELD_ARCHIVE_NAME_FORMAT_DESC"
-			default="[host]_[datetime]_profile[profile_id]"
+			default="[HOST]_[DATETIME]_profile[PROFILE_ID]"
 			maxlength="512"
-			hint="[host]_[datetime]_profile[profile_id]"
-			placeholders="[host],[datetime],[date],[time],[year],[month],[day],[hour],[minute],[second],[profile_id],[profile_name],[site_name],[type],[random]"
+			hint="[HOST]_[DATETIME]_profile[PROFILE_ID]"
+			placeholders="[HOST],[DATETIME],[DATE],[TIME],[YEAR],[MONTH],[DAY],[HOUR],[MINUTE],[SECOND],[PROFILE_ID],[PROFILE_NAME],[SITE_NAME],[TYPE],[RANDOM]"
 			addfieldprefix="Joomla\Component\MokoSuiteBackup\Administrator\Field"
 		/>
 		<field
 			name="include_mokorestore"
-			type="radio"
+			type="list"
 			label="COM_MOKOJOOMBACKUP_FIELD_INCLUDE_MOKORESTORE"
 			description="COM_MOKOJOOMBACKUP_FIELD_INCLUDE_MOKORESTORE_DESC"
 			default="0"
-			class="btn-group"
 		>
-			<option value="1">JYES</option>
-			<option value="0">JNO</option>
+			<option value="0">COM_MOKOJOOMBACKUP_MOKORESTORE_NONE</option>
+			<option value="1">COM_MOKOJOOMBACKUP_MOKORESTORE_WRAPPED</option>
+			<option value="standalone">COM_MOKOJOOMBACKUP_MOKORESTORE_STANDALONE</option>
 		</field>
 		<field
 			name="encryption_password"

source/packages/com_mokosuitebackup/language/en-GB/com_mokosuitebackup.ini

@@ -130,11 +130,14 @@ COM_MOKOJOOMBACKUP_FIELD_ENCRYPTION_PASSWORD_DESC="Set a password to encrypt the
 COM_MOKOJOOMBACKUP_FIELD_SPLIT_SIZE="Split Size (MB)"
 COM_MOKOJOOMBACKUP_FIELD_SPLIT_SIZE_DESC="Split archive into parts of this size in MB. 0 = no splitting."
 COM_MOKOJOOMBACKUP_FIELD_BACKUP_DIR="Backup Directory"
-COM_MOKOJOOMBACKUP_FIELD_BACKUP_DIR_DESC="Directory where backup archives are stored. Supports placeholders: [HOME] (user home directory), [host], [date], [year], [month], [day], [profile_name], [site_name], [type]. Use [HOME]/backups to store outside the web root. Absolute paths (starting with /) are used as-is; relative paths resolve from the Joomla root."
+COM_MOKOJOOMBACKUP_FIELD_BACKUP_DIR_DESC="Directory where backup archives are stored. Supports placeholders: [HOME] (user home directory), [HOST], [DATE], [YEAR], [MONTH], [DAY], [PROFILE_NAME], [SITE_NAME], [TYPE]. Use [HOME]/backups to store outside the web root. Absolute paths (starting with /) are used as-is; relative paths resolve from the Joomla root."
 COM_MOKOJOOMBACKUP_FIELD_ARCHIVE_NAME_FORMAT="Archive Name Format"
-COM_MOKOJOOMBACKUP_FIELD_ARCHIVE_NAME_FORMAT_DESC="Filename template for backup archives (without extension). Placeholders: [host] hostname, [date] Ymd, [time] His, [datetime] Ymd_His, [year] [month] [day] [hour] [minute] [second], [profile_id], [profile_name], [site_name], [type], [random]."
-COM_MOKOJOOMBACKUP_FIELD_INCLUDE_MOKORESTORE="Include Restore Script"
-COM_MOKOJOOMBACKUP_FIELD_INCLUDE_MOKORESTORE_DESC="Include MokoRestore (standalone restore.php) inside the backup archive. Creates a self-contained package that can restore the site on a blank server without Joomla installed."
+COM_MOKOJOOMBACKUP_FIELD_ARCHIVE_NAME_FORMAT_DESC="Filename template for backup archives (without extension). Placeholders: [HOST] hostname, [DATE] Ymd, [TIME] His, [DATETIME] Ymd_His, [YEAR] [MONTH] [DAY] [HOUR] [MINUTE] [SECOND], [PROFILE_ID], [PROFILE_NAME], [SITE_NAME], [TYPE], [RANDOM]."
+COM_MOKOJOOMBACKUP_FIELD_INCLUDE_MOKORESTORE="MokoRestore Script"
+COM_MOKOJOOMBACKUP_FIELD_INCLUDE_MOKORESTORE_DESC="Include the MokoRestore standalone restore wizard. 'Wrapped' bundles it inside the backup ZIP. 'Standalone' generates a separate restore.php that scans for backup ZIPs in its directory — ideal for remote servers."
+COM_MOKOJOOMBACKUP_MOKORESTORE_NONE="None"
+COM_MOKOJOOMBACKUP_MOKORESTORE_WRAPPED="Wrapped (inside backup ZIP)"
+COM_MOKOJOOMBACKUP_MOKORESTORE_STANDALONE="Standalone (separate restore.php)"
 
 ; Exclusion filter fields
 COM_MOKOJOOMBACKUP_FIELD_EXCLUDE_DIRS="Exclude Directories"

source/packages/com_mokosuitebackup/mokosuitebackup.xml

@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
  -->
 <extension type="component" method="upgrade">
 	<name>MokoSuiteBackup</name>
-	<version>01.37.00</version>
+	<version>01.38.05</version>
 	<creationDate>2026-06-02</creationDate>
 	<author>Moko Consulting</author>
 	<authorEmail>hello@mokoconsulting.tech</authorEmail>

source/packages/com_mokosuitebackup/sql/install.mysql.sql

@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS `#__mokosuitebackup_profiles` (
 	`compression_level` TINYINT(1) UNSIGNED NOT NULL DEFAULT 5 COMMENT '0=none, 9=max',
 	`split_size`        INT(11) UNSIGNED NOT NULL DEFAULT 0 COMMENT '0=no split, otherwise MB per part',
 	`backup_dir`        VARCHAR(512) NOT NULL DEFAULT '[DEFAULT_DIR]',
-	`archive_name_format` VARCHAR(512) NOT NULL DEFAULT '[host]_[datetime]_profile[profile_id]' COMMENT 'Filename format with placeholders',
+	`archive_name_format` VARCHAR(512) NOT NULL DEFAULT '[HOST]_[DATETIME]_profile[PROFILE_ID]' COMMENT 'Filename format with placeholders',
 	`exclude_dirs`      TEXT NOT NULL COMMENT 'Newline-separated directory paths to exclude',
 	`exclude_files`     TEXT NOT NULL COMMENT 'Newline-separated filename patterns to exclude',
 	`exclude_tables`    TEXT NOT NULL COMMENT 'Newline-separated table names to exclude',
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS `#__mokosuitebackup_profiles` (
 	`s3_path`              VARCHAR(512) NOT NULL DEFAULT '/backups',
 	`remote_keep_local`    TINYINT(1) NOT NULL DEFAULT 1 COMMENT 'Keep local copy after upload',
 	`encryption_password`  VARCHAR(255) NOT NULL DEFAULT '' COMMENT 'AES-256 archive encryption password (blank = no encryption)',
-	`include_mokorestore`    TINYINT(1) NOT NULL DEFAULT 0 COMMENT 'Include MokoRestore standalone restore script in archive',
+	`include_mokorestore`    VARCHAR(20) NOT NULL DEFAULT '0' COMMENT 'MokoRestore mode: 0=none, 1=wrapped, standalone',
 	`notify_email`         VARCHAR(512) NOT NULL DEFAULT '' COMMENT 'Comma-separated notification emails',
 	`notify_user_groups`   VARCHAR(255) NOT NULL DEFAULT '' COMMENT 'Comma-separated Joomla user group IDs',
 	`notify_on_success`    TINYINT(1) NOT NULL DEFAULT 0,

source/packages/com_mokosuitebackup/sql/updates/mysql/01.01.02.sql

@@ -9,4 +9,4 @@ ALTER TABLE `#__mokosuitebackup_records` MODIFY `log` MEDIUMTEXT DEFAULT NULL;
 ALTER TABLE `#__mokosuitebackup_profiles` ADD COLUMN `notify_user_groups` VARCHAR(255) NOT NULL DEFAULT '' COMMENT 'Comma-separated Joomla user group IDs' AFTER `notify_email`;
 
 -- Add archive_name_format column with placeholder support
-ALTER TABLE `#__mokosuitebackup_profiles` ADD COLUMN `archive_name_format` VARCHAR(512) NOT NULL DEFAULT '[host]_[datetime]_profile[profile_id]' COMMENT 'Filename format with placeholders' AFTER `backup_dir`;
+ALTER TABLE `#__mokosuitebackup_profiles` ADD COLUMN `archive_name_format` VARCHAR(512) NOT NULL DEFAULT '[HOST]_[DATETIME]_profile[PROFILE_ID]' COMMENT 'Filename format with placeholders' AFTER `backup_dir`;

source/packages/com_mokosuitebackup/sql/updates/mysql/01.39.00.sql

@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+-- MokoSuiteBackup 01.39.00 — Change include_mokorestore from TINYINT to VARCHAR
+-- Needed to support 'standalone' value alongside 0/1
+
+ALTER TABLE `#__mokosuitebackup_profiles`
+    MODIFY COLUMN `include_mokorestore` VARCHAR(20) NOT NULL DEFAULT '0';

source/packages/com_mokosuitebackup/sql/updates/mysql/01.39.01.sql

@@ -0,0 +1,34 @@
+-- MokoSuiteBackup 01.39.01 — Uppercase all placeholders in profile data
+
+UPDATE `#__mokosuitebackup_profiles` SET
+    `archive_name_format` = REPLACE(REPLACE(REPLACE(REPLACE(REPLACE(REPLACE(REPLACE(REPLACE(REPLACE(REPLACE(REPLACE(REPLACE(REPLACE(REPLACE(REPLACE(
+        `archive_name_format`,
+        '[host]', '[HOST]'),
+        '[site_name]', '[SITE_NAME]'),
+        '[datetime]', '[DATETIME]'),
+        '[date]', '[DATE]'),
+        '[time]', '[TIME]'),
+        '[year]', '[YEAR]'),
+        '[month]', '[MONTH]'),
+        '[day]', '[DAY]'),
+        '[hour]', '[HOUR]'),
+        '[minute]', '[MINUTE]'),
+        '[second]', '[SECOND]'),
+        '[profile_id]', '[PROFILE_ID]'),
+        '[profile_name]', '[PROFILE_NAME]'),
+        '[type]', '[TYPE]'),
+        '[random]', '[RANDOM]')
+WHERE `archive_name_format` REGEXP '\\[[a-z]';
+
+UPDATE `#__mokosuitebackup_profiles` SET
+    `backup_dir` = REPLACE(REPLACE(REPLACE(REPLACE(REPLACE(REPLACE(REPLACE(REPLACE(
+        `backup_dir`,
+        '[host]', '[HOST]'),
+        '[site_name]', '[SITE_NAME]'),
+        '[date]', '[DATE]'),
+        '[year]', '[YEAR]'),
+        '[month]', '[MONTH]'),
+        '[day]', '[DAY]'),
+        '[profile_id]', '[PROFILE_ID]'),
+        '[profile_name]', '[PROFILE_NAME]')
+WHERE `backup_dir` REGEXP '\\[[a-z]';

source/packages/com_mokosuitebackup/src/Controller/AjaxController.php

@@ -15,8 +15,10 @@ namespace Joomla\Component\MokoSuiteBackup\Administrator\Controller;
 
 defined('_JEXEC') or die;
 
+use Joomla\CMS\Factory;
 use Joomla\CMS\MVC\Controller\BaseController;
 use Joomla\CMS\Session\Session;
+use Joomla\Component\MokoSuiteBackup\Administrator\Engine\PlaceholderResolver;
 use Joomla\Component\MokoSuiteBackup\Administrator\Engine\SteppedBackupEngine;
 use Joomla\Component\MokoSuiteBackup\Administrator\Engine\SteppedRestoreEngine;
 use Joomla\Component\MokoSuiteBackup\Administrator\Utility\BackupDirectory;
@@ -283,7 +285,32 @@ class AjaxController extends BaseController
 			return;
 		}
 
-		$resolved = BackupDirectory::resolve($rawPath);
+		/* Resolve all placeholders — both directory ([HOME], [DEFAULT_DIR])
+		   and name-level ([SITE_NAME], [HOST], [PROFILE_ID], etc.) */
+		$profileId = $this->input->getInt('profile_id', 0);
+
+		if ($profileId > 0) {
+			$db    = Factory::getDbo();
+			$query = $db->getQuery(true)
+				->select('*')
+				->from($db->quoteName('#__mokosuitebackup_profiles'))
+				->where($db->quoteName('id') . ' = ' . $profileId);
+			$db->setQuery($query);
+			$profile = $db->loadObject();
+		}
+
+		if (empty($profile)) {
+			/* No profile context — create a minimal dummy for PlaceholderResolver */
+			$profile = (object) [
+				'id'          => 1,
+				'title'       => 'default',
+				'backup_type' => 'full',
+			];
+		}
+
+		$resolver = new PlaceholderResolver($profile);
+		$withNamePlaceholders = $resolver->resolve($rawPath);
+		$resolved = BackupDirectory::resolve($withNamePlaceholders);
 
 		if (BackupDirectory::hasPlaceholders($resolved)) {
 			$this->sendJson([

source/packages/com_mokosuitebackup/src/Controller/BackupsController.php

@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ defined('_JEXEC') or die;
 use Joomla\CMS\Language\Text;
 use Joomla\CMS\MVC\Controller\AdminController;
 use Joomla\CMS\Router\Route;
+use Joomla\CMS\Session\Session;
 use Joomla\Component\MokoSuiteBackup\Administrator\Engine\BackupEngine;
 use Joomla\Component\MokoSuiteBackup\Administrator\Engine\RestoreEngine;
 
@@ -34,7 +35,14 @@ class BackupsController extends AdminController
 	 */
 	public function start(): void
 	{
-		$this->checkToken();
+		/* Accept token from both GET (profile Run button) and POST (backup form).
+		   Joomla's checkToken() throws on failure, so try GET first. */
+		if (!Session::checkToken('get') && !Session::checkToken('post')) {
+			$this->setMessage(Text::_('JINVALID_TOKEN_NOTICE'), 'error');
+			$this->setRedirect(Route::_('index.php?option=com_mokosuitebackup&view=backups', false));
+
+			return;
+		}
 
 		if (!$this->app->getIdentity()->authorise('mokosuitebackup.backup.run', 'com_mokosuitebackup')) {
 			$this->setMessage(Text::_('JLIB_APPLICATION_ERROR_ACCESS_FORBIDDEN'), 'error');

source/packages/com_mokosuitebackup/src/Engine/BackupEngine.php

@@ -88,7 +88,7 @@ class BackupEngine
 		$archiveName   = '';
 		$archiver      = $this->createArchiver($archiveFormat);
 		$archiveExt    = $archiver->getExtension();
-		$nameFormat    = $profile->archive_name_format ?? '[host]_[datetime]_profile[profile_id]';
+		$nameFormat    = $profile->archive_name_format ?? '[HOST]_[DATETIME]_profile[PROFILE_ID]';
 		$archiveName   = $resolver->resolve($nameFormat) . '.' . $archiveExt;
 
 		if (empty($description)) {
@@ -237,26 +237,32 @@ class BackupEngine
 			$this->verifyArchive($archivePath, $profile->backup_type);
 			$this->log('Archive integrity verified');
 
-			// Step 2.5: Wrap with MokoRestore script (if enabled)
-			$includeMokoRestore = (bool) ($profile->include_mokorestore ?? false);
+			// Step 2.5: MokoRestore script (if enabled)
+			$mokoRestoreMode = $profile->include_mokorestore ?? '0';
+			$restoreScriptPath = '';
 
-			if ($includeMokoRestore) {
+			if ($mokoRestoreMode === '1') {
+				// Wrapped mode: backup ZIP inside an outer ZIP with restore.php
 				$this->log('Wrapping with MokoRestore script...');
 				$mokoRestoreName = str_replace('.zip', '-mokorestore.zip', $archiveName);
 				$mokoRestorePath = $this->backupDir . '/' . $mokoRestoreName;
 				MokoRestore::wrap($archivePath, $mokoRestorePath);
 
-				// Replace the original archive with the wrapped one
 				if (is_file($archivePath) && !unlink($archivePath)) {
 					$this->log('WARNING: Could not remove pre-wrap archive');
 				}
 				rename($mokoRestorePath, $archivePath);
 				$totalSize = filesize($archivePath);
 				$sizeHuman = number_format($totalSize / 1048576, 2) . ' MB';
-				// Recompute checksum for the final wrapped archive
 				$checksum = hash_file('sha256', $archivePath);
 				$this->log('MokoRestore archive created: ' . $sizeHuman);
 				$this->log('SHA-256 (wrapped): ' . $checksum);
+			} elseif ($mokoRestoreMode === 'standalone') {
+				// Standalone mode: restore.php as a separate file next to the backup ZIP
+				$this->log('Generating standalone restore.php...');
+				$restoreScriptPath = $this->backupDir . '/restore.php';
+				MokoRestore::generateStandalone($restoreScriptPath);
+				$this->log('Standalone restore.php generated (' . number_format(filesize($restoreScriptPath)) . ' bytes)');
 			}
 
 			$remoteFilename = '';
@@ -277,6 +283,18 @@ class BackupEngine
 						$remoteFilename = $uploadResult['remote_path'] ?? $archiveName;
 						$this->log('Remote upload complete: ' . $uploadResult['message']);
 
+						// Upload standalone restore.php alongside the backup if in standalone mode
+						if (!empty($restoreScriptPath) && is_file($restoreScriptPath)) {
+							$this->log('Uploading standalone restore.php...');
+							$restoreUpload = $uploader->upload($restoreScriptPath, 'restore.php');
+
+							if ($restoreUpload['success']) {
+								$this->log('Standalone restore.php uploaded');
+							} else {
+								$this->log('WARNING: restore.php upload failed: ' . $restoreUpload['message']);
+							}
+						}
+
 						// Delete local copy if configured
 						if (empty($profile->remote_keep_local) && is_file($archivePath)) {
 							@unlink($archivePath);

source/packages/com_mokosuitebackup/src/Engine/MokoRestore.php

@@ -54,6 +54,191 @@ class MokoRestore
 		return $outputPath;
 	}
 
+	/**
+	 * Generate the standalone restore.php script as a separate file.
+	 *
+	 * Unlike the wrapped version, this script scans its own directory
+	 * for ZIP files and lets the user choose which one to restore from.
+	 *
+	 * @param   string  $outputPath  Where to write restore.php
+	 *
+	 * @return  string  Path to the generated script
+	 */
+	public static function generateStandalone(string $outputPath): string
+	{
+		$script = self::generateStandaloneScript();
+
+		if (file_put_contents($outputPath, $script) === false) {
+			throw new \RuntimeException('Cannot write standalone restore script: ' . $outputPath);
+		}
+
+		return $outputPath;
+	}
+
+	/**
+	 * Generate the standalone script content that scans for ZIPs.
+	 */
+	private static function generateStandaloneScript(): string
+	{
+		/* Take the normal backend but replace the hardcoded BACKUP_FILE
+		   with a directory scanner that finds ZIP files */
+		$php = self::generateBackend();
+
+		/* Replace the fixed BACKUP_FILE constant with dynamic scanner */
+		$php = str_replace(
+			"define('BACKUP_FILE', RESTORE_DIR . '/site-backup.zip');",
+			"/* BACKUP_FILE is set dynamically — see actionSelectBackup() below */\n" .
+			"define('BACKUP_FILE', ''); /* placeholder — overridden per request */",
+			$php
+		);
+
+		/* Inject the backup scanner function after the constants */
+		$scannerCode = <<<'SCANNER'
+
+/**
+ * Scan the restore directory for ZIP files that look like backups.
+ */
+function scanForBackups(): array
+{
+    $dir = RESTORE_DIR;
+    $files = [];
+
+    foreach (glob($dir . '/*.zip') as $path) {
+        $name = basename($path);
+
+        /* Skip the restore script wrapper if present */
+        if ($name === 'restore.php') {
+            continue;
+        }
+
+        $files[] = [
+            'name' => $name,
+            'path' => $path,
+            'size' => filesize($path),
+            'date' => date('Y-m-d H:i:s', filemtime($path)),
+        ];
+    }
+
+    /* Sort by modification time, newest first */
+    usort($files, fn($a, $b) => filemtime($b['path']) <=> filemtime($a['path']));
+
+    return $files;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Handle backup file selection and set the working file.
+ */
+function getSelectedBackupFile(): string
+{
+    if (!empty($_POST['backup_file'])) {
+        $selected = basename($_POST['backup_file']); /* sanitize — basename only */
+        $path = RESTORE_DIR . '/' . $selected;
+
+        if (is_file($path) && str_ends_with(strtolower($selected), '.zip')) {
+            return $path;
+        }
+    }
+
+    /* Auto-select if only one ZIP exists */
+    $backups = scanForBackups();
+
+    if (count($backups) === 1) {
+        return $backups[0]['path'];
+    }
+
+    return '';
+}
+
+SCANNER;
+
+		/* Insert scanner after the opening PHP section but before the action handlers */
+		$php = str_replace(
+			"/* ── Action Handlers",
+			$scannerCode . "\n/* ── Action Handlers",
+			$php
+		);
+
+		/* Modify actionExtract to use getSelectedBackupFile() instead of BACKUP_FILE */
+		$php = str_replace(
+			'$zip->open(BACKUP_FILE)',
+			'$zip->open(getSelectedBackupFile() ?: BACKUP_FILE)',
+			$php
+		);
+
+		/* Modify the pre-checks to use getSelectedBackupFile() */
+		$php = str_replace(
+			"file_exists(BACKUP_FILE)",
+			"(getSelectedBackupFile() !== '' || file_exists(BACKUP_FILE))",
+			$php
+		);
+
+		$html = self::generateFrontend();
+
+		/* Add backup file selector to the frontend before the extract step */
+		$selectorHtml = <<<'SELECTOR'
+<!-- Backup File Selector (standalone mode) -->
+<div id="mr-step-select" class="mr-step" style="display:none;">
+    <h2 class="mr-step-title">Select Backup File</h2>
+    <p class="mr-desc">Choose which backup archive to restore from.</p>
+    <div id="mr-backup-list"></div>
+    <input type="hidden" name="backup_file" id="mr-backup-file" value="">
+</div>
+<script>
+(function() {
+    var backups = <?php echo json_encode(scanForBackups()); ?>;
+    var list = document.getElementById('mr-backup-list');
+    var hiddenInput = document.getElementById('mr-backup-file');
+
+    if (backups.length === 0) {
+        var alert = document.createElement('div');
+        alert.className = 'mr-alert mr-alert-danger';
+        alert.textContent = 'No ZIP files found in this directory. Upload a backup archive first.';
+        list.appendChild(alert);
+    } else if (backups.length === 1) {
+        hiddenInput.value = backups[0].name;
+        var found = document.createElement('div');
+        found.className = 'mr-alert mr-alert-success';
+        var strong = document.createElement('strong');
+        strong.textContent = backups[0].name;
+        found.appendChild(document.createTextNode('Found: '));
+        found.appendChild(strong);
+        found.appendChild(document.createTextNode(' (' + (backups[0].size / 1048576).toFixed(1) + ' MB)'));
+        list.appendChild(found);
+    } else {
+        var group = document.createElement('div');
+        group.className = 'mr-field-group';
+        backups.forEach(function(b) {
+            var label = document.createElement('label');
+            label.style.cssText = 'display:block; padding:8px; margin:4px 0; border:1px solid #ddd; border-radius:4px; cursor:pointer;';
+            var radio = document.createElement('input');
+            radio.type = 'radio';
+            radio.name = 'backup_choice';
+            radio.value = b.name;
+            radio.style.marginRight = '8px';
+            radio.addEventListener('change', function() { hiddenInput.value = this.value; });
+            label.appendChild(radio);
+            var nameStrong = document.createElement('strong');
+            nameStrong.textContent = b.name;
+            label.appendChild(nameStrong);
+            label.appendChild(document.createTextNode(' \u2014 ' + (b.size / 1048576).toFixed(1) + ' MB \u2014 ' + b.date));
+            group.appendChild(label);
+        });
+        list.appendChild(group);
+    }
+})();
+</script>
+SELECTOR;
+
+		/* Insert the selector before the extract step in the HTML */
+		$html = str_replace(
+			'<!-- Step: Extract -->',
+			$selectorHtml . "\n<!-- Step: Extract -->",
+			$html
+		);
+
+		return $php . $html;
+	}
+
 	/**
 	 * Generate the standalone restore.php script.
 	 *

source/packages/com_mokosuitebackup/src/Engine/PlaceholderResolver.php

@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
  * @copyright   Copyright (C) 2026 Moko Consulting. All rights reserved.
  * @license     GNU General Public License version 3 or later; see LICENSE
  *
- * Resolves placeholders like [host], [date], [profile_name] in backup
+ * Resolves placeholders like [HOST], [DATE], [PROFILE_NAME] in backup
  * directory paths and archive filename formats.
  */
 
@@ -24,21 +24,21 @@ class PlaceholderResolver
 	 * Supported placeholders and their descriptions (for documentation).
 	 */
 	public const PLACEHOLDERS = [
-		'[host]'         => 'Server hostname',
-		'[date]'         => 'Date as Ymd (e.g. 20260604)',
-		'[time]'         => 'Time as His (e.g. 143025)',
-		'[datetime]'     => 'Date and time as Ymd_His',
-		'[year]'         => 'Four-digit year',
-		'[month]'        => 'Two-digit month',
-		'[day]'          => 'Two-digit day',
-		'[hour]'         => 'Two-digit hour (24h)',
-		'[minute]'       => 'Two-digit minute',
-		'[second]'       => 'Two-digit second',
-		'[profile_id]'   => 'Backup profile ID',
-		'[profile_name]' => 'Profile title (sanitized)',
-		'[site_name]'    => 'Joomla site name (sanitized)',
-		'[type]'         => 'Backup type (full, database, files, differential)',
-		'[random]'       => 'Random 6-character hex string',
+		'[HOST]'         => 'Server hostname',
+		'[DATE]'         => 'Date as Ymd (e.g. 20260604)',
+		'[TIME]'         => 'Time as His (e.g. 143025)',
+		'[DATETIME]'     => 'Date and time as Ymd_His',
+		'[YEAR]'         => 'Four-digit year',
+		'[MONTH]'        => 'Two-digit month',
+		'[DAY]'          => 'Two-digit day',
+		'[HOUR]'         => 'Two-digit hour (24h)',
+		'[MINUTE]'       => 'Two-digit minute',
+		'[SECOND]'       => 'Two-digit second',
+		'[PROFILE_ID]'   => 'Backup profile ID',
+		'[PROFILE_NAME]' => 'Profile title (sanitized)',
+		'[SITE_NAME]'    => 'Joomla site name (sanitized)',
+		'[TYPE]'         => 'Backup type (full, database, files, differential)',
+		'[RANDOM]'       => 'Random 6-character hex string',
 		'[DEFAULT_DIR]'  => 'Default backup directory',
 		'[HOME]'         => 'Home directory of the PHP process owner',
 	];
@@ -62,21 +62,21 @@ class PlaceholderResolver
 		}
 
 		$this->replacements = [
-			'[host]'         => $hostname,
-			'[date]'         => $now->format('Ymd'),
-			'[time]'         => $now->format('His'),
-			'[datetime]'     => $now->format('Ymd_His'),
-			'[year]'         => $now->format('Y'),
-			'[month]'        => $now->format('m'),
-			'[day]'          => $now->format('d'),
-			'[hour]'         => $now->format('H'),
-			'[minute]'       => $now->format('i'),
-			'[second]'       => $now->format('s'),
-			'[profile_id]'   => (string) ($profile->id ?? '0'),
-			'[profile_name]' => $this->sanitize($profile->title ?? 'default'),
-			'[site_name]'    => $this->sanitize($siteName ?: 'joomla'),
-			'[type]'         => $profile->backup_type ?? 'full',
-			'[random]'       => bin2hex(random_bytes(3)),
+			'[HOST]'         => $hostname,
+			'[DATE]'         => $now->format('Ymd'),
+			'[TIME]'         => $now->format('His'),
+			'[DATETIME]'     => $now->format('Ymd_His'),
+			'[YEAR]'         => $now->format('Y'),
+			'[MONTH]'        => $now->format('m'),
+			'[DAY]'          => $now->format('d'),
+			'[HOUR]'         => $now->format('H'),
+			'[MINUTE]'       => $now->format('i'),
+			'[SECOND]'       => $now->format('s'),
+			'[PROFILE_ID]'   => (string) ($profile->id ?? '0'),
+			'[PROFILE_NAME]' => $this->sanitize($profile->title ?? 'default'),
+			'[SITE_NAME]'    => $this->sanitize($siteName ?: 'joomla'),
+			'[TYPE]'         => $profile->backup_type ?? 'full',
+			'[RANDOM]'       => bin2hex(random_bytes(3)),
 			'[DEFAULT_DIR]'  => BackupDirectory::getDefaultAbsolute(),
 			'[HOME]'         => BackupDirectory::getHomeDirectory(),
 		];
@@ -103,7 +103,7 @@ class PlaceholderResolver
 	 */
 	public function getHostname(): string
 	{
-		return $this->replacements['[host]'];
+		return $this->replacements['[HOST]'];
 	}
 
 	/**
@@ -111,7 +111,7 @@ class PlaceholderResolver
 	 */
 	public function getTag(): string
 	{
-		return $this->replacements['[datetime]'];
+		return $this->replacements['[DATETIME]'];
 	}
 
 	/**

source/packages/com_mokosuitebackup/src/Engine/SteppedBackupEngine.php

@@ -83,7 +83,7 @@ class SteppedBackupEngine
 
 		$now         = date('Y-m-d H:i:s');
 		$tag         = $resolver->getTag();
-		$nameFormat  = $profile->archive_name_format ?? '[host]_[datetime]_profile[profile_id]';
+		$nameFormat  = $profile->archive_name_format ?? '[HOST]_[DATETIME]_profile[PROFILE_ID]';
 		$archiveName = $resolver->resolve($nameFormat) . '.zip';
 
 		$session->archivePath = $backupDir . '/' . $archiveName;

source/packages/com_mokosuitebackup/src/Field/FolderPickerField.php

@@ -52,15 +52,15 @@ class FolderPickerField extends FormField
 		$placeholders = [
 			'[DEFAULT_DIR]'  => BackupDirectory::getDefaultAbsolute(),
 			'[HOME]'         => BackupDirectory::getHomeDirectory(),
-			'[host]'         => $hostname,
-			'[site_name]'    => $sanitizedSiteName ?: 'joomla',
-			'[profile_id]'   => '1',
-			'[profile_name]' => 'default',
-			'[type]'         => 'full',
-			'[year]'         => date('Y'),
-			'[month]'        => date('m'),
-			'[day]'          => date('d'),
-			'[date]'         => date('Ymd'),
+			'[HOST]'         => $hostname,
+			'[SITE_NAME]'    => $sanitizedSiteName ?: 'joomla',
+			'[PROFILE_ID]'   => '1',
+			'[PROFILE_NAME]' => 'default',
+			'[TYPE]'         => 'full',
+			'[YEAR]'         => date('Y'),
+			'[MONTH]'        => date('m'),
+			'[DAY]'          => date('d'),
+			'[DATE]'         => date('Ymd'),
 		];
 
 		$placeholdersJson = json_encode($placeholders);
@@ -96,7 +96,7 @@ class FolderPickerField extends FormField
 		<span class="icon-folder-open" aria-hidden="true"></span>
 		Browse
 	</button>
-	<button type="button" class="btn btn-outline-info" data-bs-toggle="modal" data-bs-target="#{$id}_helpModal" title="Available placeholders">
+	<button type="button" class="btn btn-outline-info" id="{$id}_helpBtn" title="Help — placeholders, paths, and examples">
 		<span class="icon-question-circle" aria-hidden="true"></span>
 	</button>
 </div>
@@ -104,12 +104,12 @@ class FolderPickerField extends FormField
 	<span class="text-muted small me-1" style="line-height:24px;">Insert:</span>
 	<button type="button" class="btn btn-outline-secondary btn-sm py-0 px-1 moko-ph-insert" data-field="{$id}" data-ph="[HOME]" title="Home directory">[HOME]</button>
 	<button type="button" class="btn btn-outline-secondary btn-sm py-0 px-1 moko-ph-insert" data-field="{$id}" data-ph="[DEFAULT_DIR]" title="Default backup dir">[DEFAULT_DIR]</button>
-	<button type="button" class="btn btn-outline-secondary btn-sm py-0 px-1 moko-ph-insert" data-field="{$id}" data-ph="[host]" title="Server hostname">[host]</button>
-	<button type="button" class="btn btn-outline-secondary btn-sm py-0 px-1 moko-ph-insert" data-field="{$id}" data-ph="[site_name]" title="Joomla site name">[site_name]</button>
-	<button type="button" class="btn btn-outline-secondary btn-sm py-0 px-1 moko-ph-insert" data-field="{$id}" data-ph="[date]" title="Date (Ymd)">[date]</button>
-	<button type="button" class="btn btn-outline-secondary btn-sm py-0 px-1 moko-ph-insert" data-field="{$id}" data-ph="[profile_id]" title="Profile ID">[profile_id]</button>
-	<button type="button" class="btn btn-outline-secondary btn-sm py-0 px-1 moko-ph-insert" data-field="{$id}" data-ph="[profile_name]" title="Profile name">[profile_name]</button>
-	<button type="button" class="btn btn-outline-secondary btn-sm py-0 px-1 moko-ph-insert" data-field="{$id}" data-ph="[type]" title="Backup type">[type]</button>
+	<button type="button" class="btn btn-outline-secondary btn-sm py-0 px-1 moko-ph-insert" data-field="{$id}" data-ph="[HOST]" title="Server hostname">[HOST]</button>
+	<button type="button" class="btn btn-outline-secondary btn-sm py-0 px-1 moko-ph-insert" data-field="{$id}" data-ph="[SITE_NAME]" title="Joomla site name">[SITE_NAME]</button>
+	<button type="button" class="btn btn-outline-secondary btn-sm py-0 px-1 moko-ph-insert" data-field="{$id}" data-ph="[DATE]" title="Date (Ymd)">[DATE]</button>
+	<button type="button" class="btn btn-outline-secondary btn-sm py-0 px-1 moko-ph-insert" data-field="{$id}" data-ph="[PROFILE_ID]" title="Profile ID">[PROFILE_ID]</button>
+	<button type="button" class="btn btn-outline-secondary btn-sm py-0 px-1 moko-ph-insert" data-field="{$id}" data-ph="[PROFILE_NAME]" title="Profile name">[PROFILE_NAME]</button>
+	<button type="button" class="btn btn-outline-secondary btn-sm py-0 px-1 moko-ph-insert" data-field="{$id}" data-ph="[TYPE]" title="Backup type">[TYPE]</button>
 </div>
 <div class="mt-1" id="{$id}_status">
 	<small class="{$statusClass}">
@@ -117,41 +117,119 @@ class FolderPickerField extends FormField
 		{$statusDetail}
 	</small>
 </div>
+<div class="mt-1" id="{$id}_resolved" style="font-size:0.8rem; line-height:1.6;">
+</div>
 <div id="{$id}_defaultwarn" class="alert alert-warning alert-sm mt-1 py-1 px-2" style="display:none; font-size:0.85rem;">
 	<span class="icon-warning-circle" aria-hidden="true"></span>
 	The default backup directory is inside the web root. Backup archives may be directly downloadable if <code>.htaccess</code> is not supported. For better security, use a path outside the web root.
 </div>
 <div class="modal fade" id="{$id}_helpModal" tabindex="-1" aria-labelledby="{$id}_helpLabel" aria-hidden="true">
-	<div class="modal-dialog">
+	<div class="modal-dialog modal-lg">
 		<div class="modal-content">
 			<div class="modal-header">
-				<h5 class="modal-title" id="{$id}_helpLabel">Backup Directory Placeholders</h5>
+				<h5 class="modal-title" id="{$id}_helpLabel">Backup Directory — Help</h5>
 				<button type="button" class="btn-close" data-bs-dismiss="modal" aria-label="Close"></button>
 			</div>
 			<div class="modal-body">
-				<p>Use these placeholders in the backup directory path. They are resolved at backup time.</p>
+
+				<h6 class="text-primary">How Path Resolution Works</h6>
+				<p>The backup directory path is resolved at backup time. You can use <strong>absolute paths</strong>, <strong>relative paths</strong>, or <strong>placeholder paths</strong>.</p>
+
+				<div class="card mb-3">
+					<div class="card-header fw-bold">Absolute Paths</div>
+					<div class="card-body py-2">
+						<p class="mb-1">Start with <code>/</code> (Linux) or a drive letter (Windows). Used as-is.</p>
+						<ul class="mb-0">
+							<li><code>/home/user/backups</code> — Fixed path on the server</li>
+							<li><code>/var/backups/joomla</code> — System backup directory</li>
+						</ul>
+					</div>
+				</div>
+
+				<div class="card mb-3">
+					<div class="card-header fw-bold">Relative Paths</div>
+					<div class="card-body py-2">
+						<p class="mb-1">Paths that do <strong>not</strong> start with <code>/</code> are resolved relative to the Joomla root directory, using the same conventions as URL paths:</p>
+						<table class="table table-sm mb-2">
+							<thead><tr><th>Path</th><th>Meaning</th><th>Resolves To</th></tr></thead>
+							<tbody>
+								<tr><td><code>backups</code></td><td>Subdirectory of Joomla root</td><td><code>{$jRoot}/backups</code></td></tr>
+								<tr><td><code>./backups</code></td><td>Same as above (explicit current dir)</td><td><code>{$jRoot}/backups</code></td></tr>
+								<tr><td><code>../backups</code></td><td>One level <strong>above</strong> Joomla root</td><td>Parent of <code>{$jRoot}</code></td></tr>
+								<tr><td><code>../../backups</code></td><td>Two levels above Joomla root</td><td>Grandparent of <code>{$jRoot}</code></td></tr>
+							</tbody>
+						</table>
+						<div class="alert alert-warning py-1 px-2 mb-0" style="font-size:0.85rem;">
+							<strong>Warning:</strong> Relative paths that stay inside the web root may expose backup files to direct download if .htaccess is not supported. Use <code>../</code> or <code>[HOME]</code> to store backups outside the web root.
+						</div>
+					</div>
+				</div>
+
+				<div class="card mb-3">
+					<div class="card-header fw-bold">Placeholder Paths (Recommended)</div>
+					<div class="card-body py-2">
+						<p class="mb-1">Use <code>[PLACEHOLDER]</code> tokens that are replaced with actual values at backup time. This makes paths <strong>portable</strong> across servers.</p>
+						<ul class="mb-0">
+							<li><code>[HOME]/backups</code> — User's home directory + /backups</li>
+							<li><code>[HOME]/[HOST]/backups</code> — Per-site subdirectory under home</li>
+							<li><code>[DEFAULT_DIR]</code> — Joomla's default backup directory</li>
+						</ul>
+					</div>
+				</div>
+
+				<h6 class="text-primary mt-3">Available Placeholders</h6>
 				<table class="table table-sm table-striped">
-					<thead><tr><th>Placeholder</th><th>Description</th><th>Example</th></tr></thead>
+					<thead><tr><th>Placeholder</th><th>Description</th><th>Current Value</th></tr></thead>
 					<tbody>
-						<tr><td><code>[HOME]</code></td><td>Home directory of the server user</td><td><code>{$placeholders['[HOME]']}</code></td></tr>
-						<tr><td><code>[DEFAULT_DIR]</code></td><td>Default backup directory (inside web root)</td><td><code>{$placeholders['[DEFAULT_DIR]']}</code></td></tr>
-						<tr><td><code>[host]</code></td><td>Server hostname</td><td><code>{$placeholders['[host]']}</code></td></tr>
-						<tr><td><code>[site_name]</code></td><td>Joomla site name</td><td><code>{$placeholders['[site_name]']}</code></td></tr>
-						<tr><td><code>[date]</code></td><td>Date (Ymd)</td><td><code>{$placeholders['[date]']}</code></td></tr>
-						<tr><td><code>[year]</code></td><td>Four-digit year</td><td><code>{$placeholders['[year]']}</code></td></tr>
-						<tr><td><code>[month]</code></td><td>Two-digit month</td><td><code>{$placeholders['[month]']}</code></td></tr>
-						<tr><td><code>[day]</code></td><td>Two-digit day</td><td><code>{$placeholders['[day]']}</code></td></tr>
-						<tr><td><code>[profile_id]</code></td><td>Backup profile ID</td><td><code>1</code></td></tr>
-						<tr><td><code>[profile_name]</code></td><td>Profile title</td><td><code>default</code></td></tr>
-						<tr><td><code>[type]</code></td><td>Backup type</td><td><code>full</code></td></tr>
+						<tr><td><code>[HOME]</code></td><td>Home directory of the PHP process owner. Detected from environment, POSIX, or JPATH_ROOT.</td><td><code>{$placeholders['[HOME]']}</code></td></tr>
+						<tr><td><code>[DEFAULT_DIR]</code></td><td>Default backup directory inside the Joomla web root. Protected by .htaccess but not recommended for production.</td><td><code>{$placeholders['[DEFAULT_DIR]']}</code></td></tr>
+						<tr><td><code>[HOST]</code></td><td>Server hostname from HTTP_HOST. Sanitized to alphanumeric, dots, and hyphens.</td><td><code>{$placeholders['[HOST]']}</code></td></tr>
+						<tr><td><code>[SITE_NAME]</code></td><td>Joomla site name from Global Configuration. Spaces become hyphens, special characters stripped.</td><td><code>{$placeholders['[SITE_NAME]']}</code></td></tr>
+						<tr><td><code>[DATE]</code></td><td>Current date in Ymd format (e.g. 20260623).</td><td><code>{$placeholders['[DATE]']}</code></td></tr>
+						<tr><td><code>[YEAR]</code></td><td>Four-digit year.</td><td><code>{$placeholders['[YEAR]']}</code></td></tr>
+						<tr><td><code>[MONTH]</code></td><td>Two-digit month (01-12).</td><td><code>{$placeholders['[MONTH]']}</code></td></tr>
+						<tr><td><code>[DAY]</code></td><td>Two-digit day (01-31).</td><td><code>{$placeholders['[DAY]']}</code></td></tr>
+						<tr><td><code>[PROFILE_ID]</code></td><td>Numeric ID of the backup profile being used.</td><td><code>1</code></td></tr>
+						<tr><td><code>[PROFILE_NAME]</code></td><td>Title of the backup profile, sanitized for filesystem use.</td><td><code>default</code></td></tr>
+						<tr><td><code>[TYPE]</code></td><td>Backup type: full, database, files, or differential.</td><td><code>full</code></td></tr>
 					</tbody>
 				</table>
-				<h6>Recommended Paths</h6>
-				<ul class="list-unstyled">
-					<li><code>[HOME]/backups</code> — Outside web root (recommended)</li>
-					<li><code>[HOME]/backups/[host]</code> — Per-site subdirectory</li>
-					<li><code>[DEFAULT_DIR]</code> — Inside web root (protected by .htaccess)</li>
-				</ul>
+
+				<h6 class="text-primary mt-3">Recommended Configurations</h6>
+				<table class="table table-sm">
+					<thead><tr><th>Use Case</th><th>Path</th><th>Notes</th></tr></thead>
+					<tbody>
+						<tr>
+							<td><strong>Single site, secure</strong></td>
+							<td><code>[HOME]/backups</code></td>
+							<td>Outside web root. Best for most sites.</td>
+						</tr>
+						<tr>
+							<td><strong>Multiple sites on one server</strong></td>
+							<td><code>[HOME]/backups/[HOST]</code></td>
+							<td>Each site gets its own subdirectory.</td>
+						</tr>
+						<tr>
+							<td><strong>Date-organized</strong></td>
+							<td><code>[HOME]/backups/[YEAR]/[MONTH]</code></td>
+							<td>Backups sorted by year and month.</td>
+						</tr>
+						<tr>
+							<td><strong>Per-profile</strong></td>
+							<td><code>[HOME]/backups/[PROFILE_NAME]</code></td>
+							<td>Separate directory for each backup profile.</td>
+						</tr>
+						<tr>
+							<td><strong>Shared hosting (default)</strong></td>
+							<td><code>[DEFAULT_DIR]</code></td>
+							<td>Inside web root, protected by .htaccess. Use only if you cannot write outside web root.</td>
+						</tr>
+					</tbody>
+				</table>
+
+				<div class="alert alert-info py-2 mt-3 mb-0">
+					<strong>Tip:</strong> The directory is created automatically if it doesn't exist. Placeholders are resolved fresh each time a backup runs, so date-based paths create new directories over time.
+				</div>
 			</div>
 			<div class="modal-footer">
 				<button type="button" class="btn btn-secondary" data-bs-dismiss="modal">Close</button>
@@ -186,6 +264,36 @@ class FolderPickerField extends FormField
 		});
 	});
 
+	/* Help button — open modal with Bootstrap 5 or fallback */
+	var helpBtn = document.getElementById('{$id}_helpBtn');
+	var helpModal = document.getElementById('{$id}_helpModal');
+	if (helpBtn && helpModal) {
+		helpBtn.addEventListener('click', function(e) {
+			e.preventDefault();
+			if (typeof bootstrap !== 'undefined' && bootstrap.Modal) {
+				var modal = bootstrap.Modal.getOrCreateInstance(helpModal);
+				modal.show();
+			} else {
+				helpModal.classList.add('show');
+				helpModal.style.display = 'block';
+				helpModal.setAttribute('aria-hidden', 'false');
+				document.body.classList.add('modal-open');
+				var backdrop = document.createElement('div');
+				backdrop.className = 'modal-backdrop fade show';
+				backdrop.id = '{$id}_backdrop';
+				document.body.appendChild(backdrop);
+				helpModal.querySelector('.btn-close, [data-bs-dismiss]').addEventListener('click', function() {
+					helpModal.classList.remove('show');
+					helpModal.style.display = 'none';
+					helpModal.setAttribute('aria-hidden', 'true');
+					document.body.classList.remove('modal-open');
+					var bd = document.getElementById('{$id}_backdrop');
+					if (bd) bd.remove();
+				});
+			}
+		});
+	}
+
 	var fieldId = '{$id}';
 	var btn = document.getElementById(fieldId + '_btn');
 	var browser = document.getElementById(fieldId + '_browser');
@@ -193,7 +301,7 @@ class FolderPickerField extends FormField
 	var input = document.getElementById(fieldId);
 	var placeholders = {$placeholdersJson};
 
-	// Resolve placeholders in a path (forward: [site_name] -> actual value)
+	// Resolve placeholders in a path (forward: [SITE_NAME] -> actual value)
 	function resolve(path) {
 		for (var key in placeholders) {
 			path = path.split(key).join(placeholders[key]);
@@ -284,8 +392,54 @@ class FolderPickerField extends FormField
 		});
 	}
 
+	/* Show which placeholders are in use and their resolved values */
+	var resolvedDiv = document.getElementById(fieldId + '_resolved');
+
+	function updateResolvedDisplay() {
+		while (resolvedDiv.firstChild) resolvedDiv.removeChild(resolvedDiv.firstChild);
+		var val = input.value || '';
+		var found = false;
+
+		for (var key in placeholders) {
+			if (val.indexOf(key) !== -1 && placeholders[key]) {
+				found = true;
+				var badge = document.createElement('span');
+				badge.className = 'badge bg-light text-dark border me-1 mb-1';
+				badge.style.fontSize = '0.75rem';
+				badge.style.fontFamily = 'monospace';
+
+				var keySpan = document.createElement('strong');
+				keySpan.textContent = key;
+				badge.appendChild(keySpan);
+
+				badge.appendChild(document.createTextNode(' = '));
+
+				var valSpan = document.createElement('span');
+				valSpan.className = 'text-primary';
+				valSpan.textContent = placeholders[key];
+				badge.appendChild(valSpan);
+
+				resolvedDiv.appendChild(badge);
+			}
+		}
+
+		if (found) {
+			var fullResolved = document.createElement('div');
+			fullResolved.className = 'mt-1';
+			var arrow = document.createElement('span');
+			arrow.className = 'text-muted';
+			arrow.textContent = 'EXAMPLE: ';
+			fullResolved.appendChild(arrow);
+			var code = document.createElement('code');
+			code.textContent = resolve(val);
+			fullResolved.appendChild(code);
+			resolvedDiv.appendChild(fullResolved);
+		}
+	}
+
 	input.addEventListener('input', function() {
 		clearTimeout(checkTimer);
+		updateResolvedDisplay();
 		checkTimer = setTimeout(checkDirPermissions, 400);
 	});
 
@@ -399,6 +553,7 @@ class FolderPickerField extends FormField
 
 	// Run initial check on page load
 	setDefaultDirWarning();
+	updateResolvedDisplay();
 	checkDirPermissions();
 })();
 </script>

source/packages/com_mokosuitebackup/src/Field/PlaceholderTextField.php

@@ -33,8 +33,8 @@ class PlaceholderTextField extends FormField
 		$placeholders = array_filter(array_map('trim', explode(',', $placeholderAttr)));
 
 		if (empty($placeholders)) {
-			$placeholders = ['[host]', '[date]', '[datetime]', '[time]', '[year]', '[month]', '[day]',
-				'[hour]', '[minute]', '[second]', '[profile_id]', '[profile_name]', '[site_name]', '[type]', '[random]'];
+			$placeholders = ['[HOST]', '[DATE]', '[DATETIME]', '[TIME]', '[YEAR]', '[MONTH]', '[DAY]',
+				'[HOUR]', '[MINUTE]', '[SECOND]', '[PROFILE_ID]', '[PROFILE_NAME]', '[SITE_NAME]', '[TYPE]', '[RANDOM]'];
 		}
 
 		$html = '<input type="text" name="' . $name . '" id="' . $id . '" value="' . $value . '"'

source/packages/com_mokosuitebackup/src/View/Profile/HtmlView.php

@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ class HtmlView extends BaseHtmlView
 			}
 
 			// "View Backups" link button
-			$backupsUrl = Route::_('index.php?option=com_mokosuitebackup&view=backups&filter[profile_id]=' . $profileId);
+			$backupsUrl = Route::_('index.php?option=com_mokosuitebackup&view=backups&filter[PROFILE_ID]=' . $profileId);
 			$toolbar->linkButton('view-backups', 'COM_MOKOJOOMBACKUP_VIEW_BACKUPS')
 				->url($backupsUrl)
 				->icon('icon-database')

source/packages/com_mokosuitebackup/tmpl/profiles/default.php

@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ $listDirn  = $this->escape($this->state->get('list.direction'));
 									<?php echo $this->escape($item->backup_type); ?>
 								</td>
 								<td class="text-center">
-									<a href="<?php echo Route::_('index.php?option=com_mokosuitebackup&view=backups&filter[profile_id]=' . $item->id); ?>">
+									<a href="<?php echo Route::_('index.php?option=com_mokosuitebackup&view=backups&filter[PROFILE_ID]=' . $item->id); ?>">
 										<span class="badge bg-<?php echo ($item->backup_count > 0) ? 'info' : 'secondary'; ?>">
 											<?php echo (int) $item->backup_count; ?>
 										</span>

source/packages/com_mokosuitebackup/tmpl/snapshots/default.php

@@ -403,7 +403,7 @@ $listDirn  = $this->escape($this->state->get('list.direction'));
 			var label = document.createElement('label');
 			label.className = 'form-check-label';
 			label.setAttribute('for', 'mb-rtype-' + type);
-			label.textContent = typeLabels[type] || type;
+			label.textContent = typeLabels[TYPE] || type;
 
 			div.appendChild(input);
 			div.appendChild(label);

source/packages/plg_actionlog_mokosuitebackup/mokosuitebackup.xml

@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
  -->
 <extension type="plugin" group="actionlog" method="upgrade">
 	<name>Action Log - MokoSuiteBackup</name>
-	<version>01.37.00</version>
+	<version>01.38.05</version>
 	<creationDate>2026-06-04</creationDate>
 	<author>Moko Consulting</author>
 	<authorEmail>hello@mokoconsulting.tech</authorEmail>

source/packages/plg_console_mokosuitebackup/mokosuitebackup.xml

@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
  -->
 <extension type="plugin" group="console" method="upgrade">
 	<name>Console - MokoSuiteBackup</name>
-	<version>01.37.00</version>
+	<version>01.38.05</version>
 	<creationDate>2026-06-04</creationDate>
 	<author>Moko Consulting</author>
 	<authorEmail>hello@mokoconsulting.tech</authorEmail>

source/packages/plg_content_mokosuitebackup/mokosuitebackup.xml

@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
  -->
 <extension type="plugin" group="content" method="upgrade">
 	<name>Content - MokoSuiteBackup</name>
-	<version>01.37.00</version>
+	<version>01.38.05</version>
 	<creationDate>2026-06-04</creationDate>
 	<author>Moko Consulting</author>
 	<authorEmail>hello@mokoconsulting.tech</authorEmail>

source/packages/plg_quickicon_mokosuitebackup/mokosuitebackup.xml

@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
 <extension type="plugin" group="quickicon" method="upgrade">
 	<name>Quick Icon - MokoSuiteBackup</name>
-	<version>01.37.00</version>
+	<version>01.38.05</version>
 	<creationDate>2026-06-02</creationDate>
 	<author>Moko Consulting</author>
 	<authorEmail>hello@mokoconsulting.tech</authorEmail>

source/packages/plg_system_mokosuitebackup/mokosuitebackup.xml

@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
  -->
 <extension type="plugin" group="system" method="upgrade">
 	<name>System - MokoSuiteBackup</name>
-	<version>01.37.00</version>
+	<version>01.38.05</version>
 	<creationDate>2026-06-02</creationDate>
 	<author>Moko Consulting</author>
 	<authorEmail>hello@mokoconsulting.tech</authorEmail>

source/packages/plg_task_mokosuitebackup/mokosuitebackup.xml

@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
  -->
 <extension type="plugin" group="task" method="upgrade">
 	<name>Task - MokoSuiteBackup</name>
-	<version>01.37.00</version>
+	<version>01.38.05</version>
 	<creationDate>2026-06-02</creationDate>
 	<author>Moko Consulting</author>
 	<authorEmail>hello@mokoconsulting.tech</authorEmail>

source/packages/plg_webservices_mokosuitebackup/mokosuitebackup.xml

@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
  -->
 <extension type="plugin" group="webservices" method="upgrade">
 	<name>Web Services - MokoSuiteBackup</name>
-	<version>01.37.00</version>
+	<version>01.38.05</version>
 	<creationDate>2026-06-02</creationDate>
 	<author>Moko Consulting</author>
 	<authorEmail>hello@mokoconsulting.tech</authorEmail>

source/pkg_mokosuitebackup.xml

@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@
 <extension type="package" method="upgrade">
 	<name>Package - MokoSuiteBackup</name>
 	<packagename>mokosuitebackup</packagename>
-	<version>01.37.00</version>
+	<version>01.38.05</version>
 	<creationDate>2026-06-02</creationDate>
 	<author>Moko Consulting</author>
 	<authorEmail>hello@mokoconsulting.tech</authorEmail>