wayback-machine-downloader
Download an entire website from the Internet Archive Wayback Machine with this Ruby command-line tool.
About wayback-machine-downloader
wayback-machine-downloader is a Ruby command-line tool that downloads an entire website from the Internet Archive Wayback Machine. It is installed as a Ruby gem and run from the terminal using the base URL of the site to retrieve, such as wayback_machine_downloader http://example.com.
By default it downloads the last archived version of each file to ./websites/ followed by the domain name. It recreates the directory structure and creates index.html files for use with Apache and Nginx. Downloaded files are the original archived files rather than Wayback Machine rewritten versions, so URLs and link structure remain the same.
It also supports options to set a custom output directory, download all timestamps, limit by from and to timestamps, download a single URL, filter by include or exclude patterns, adjust concurrency, and list URLs with timestamps in JSON without downloading. It suits developers and others comfortable installing Ruby and working in the command line.
Key features
- Downloads last archived version of every file for a domain
- Recreates directory structure with index.html files
- Saves original files without Wayback Machine rewrites
- Filters downloads by from and to timestamps
- Restricts downloads with include, exclude, or exact-URL filters
- Lists archived URLs and timestamps in JSON without downloading
Best for: It suits developers and site owners comfortable with Ruby command-line tools who need to retrieve archived websites.
Good for
- Preserves original URLs and link structure
- Supports date, filter, and concurrency options
- Creates folder structure for Apache and Nginx
Watch out for
- Requires Ruby (>= 1.9.2) and terminal use
- Command-line only with no graphical interface
wayback-machine-downloader at a glance
- Category
- Development › Developer Tools
- Type
- Open-source project
- Pricing
- Not confirmed. Check the site
- Open source
- Not stated
- Language
- English
- Last checked
- Oct 5, 2026 · Online when checked
- Listed
- Oct 5, 2026
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wayback-machine-downloader FAQ
What is wayback-machine-downloader?
It is a Ruby command-line tool that downloads a website from the Internet Archive Wayback Machine.
How do I install wayback-machine-downloader?
Install Ruby (>= 1.9.2), then run `gem install wayback_machine_downloader`.
Where are downloaded files saved?
By default files go to `./websites/` followed by the domain name, or to a path set with the `--directory` option.
Can I download only part of a site or a specific time?
Yes, it supports exact URLs, include/exclude filters, and from/to timestamps to limit what is downloaded.
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