Backup Douyin Chat

Backup Douyin Chat

Operate the hardened local tool through the bundled wrappers. Keep account state and chat data local.

Locate the tool

Use scripts/tool.sh for CLI operations. It resolves DOUYIN_CHAT_EXPORTER_HOME first, then a containing repository or the current repository directory. Never copy the browser profile or database into the Skill directory.

Run a read-only environment check first:

/scripts/tool.sh doctor

If the installation is missing, report the expected path and stop. Do not silently recreate or download a different extractor.

Choose the workflow

• For a first backup: run init, then login --accept-internal-api-risk, wait for the user to scan the QR code, and run list --accept-internal-api-risk.
• If no exact conversation name is known: list conversations and ask the user to select one. Do not guess between similar names.
• For the first archive of a conversation: run backup --conversation --accept-internal-api-risk.
• For later updates: add --incremental.
• For a data export: run export --conversation --format json or jsonl.
• For a readable local chat page: run export --conversation --format html.
• After backup/export: run scripts/verify_backup.py --conversation and report aggregate results without printing message bodies.

Pass arguments as separate shell arguments and quote conversation names. Expect QR login and long backups to remain running; poll them while keeping the user updated.

Interpret results correctly

Read references/interpretation.md before reporting completeness, message totals, or media coverage.

Require all of the following before calling a full backup complete:

1. The backup command exits successfully.
2. The manifest status is complete.
3. The terminal reason is server_has_more_false.
4. Exported message IDs are unique.

Distinguish stored protocol records from effective chat messages. Internal audit/sync events are preserved in SQLite for traceability but filtered from JSON exports.

Handle media

Do not describe CDN URLs as locally backed-up media. For image files:

1. Run media-backfill --conversation --dry-run to count candidates without network writes.
2. Install optional dependencies with /setup_im.sh --media when needed.
3. Run media-backfill --conversation --accept-media-download-risk to download from the existing SQLite metadata without rereading chat history.
4. Regenerate the HTML export after media backfill so local images appear in bubbles.
5. Verify media_local_path and local files before claiming media backup success.

Warn that CDN URLs can expire. Never print signed media URLs or decryption keys.

Safety boundaries

• Work only with conversations visible to the user's own logged-in account.
• Use the dedicated browser profile. Never request, paste, print, export, or transmit cookies.
• Treat conversation names, messages, media, user IDs, SQLite files, and exports as sensitive.
• Keep generated files under the tool's private/im-data directory with owner-only permissions.
• Never upload chat data or send it to a model/service unless the user explicitly requests that separate action.
• State that the extractor uses an undocumented Douyin endpoint that can change or trigger platform risk controls.

Report the outcome

Lead with success, incomplete status, or the exact blocker. Include:

• exact conversation name;
• full or incremental mode;
• effective message count and time range;
• completeness status and terminal reason;
• media downloaded versus metadata-only;
• clickable absolute paths to JSON/HTML exports and the manifest.