[prsmith777]

Problem and behavior

Users moving an existing Docker ALPR installation to native Windows could back up the new, empty native database instead of the old Docker database. Setup now offers a Docker exporter before installation, with explicit application/database selection, source-schema recognition and a visible plate-read count.

The exporter supports Docker Desktop on Windows and Docker on Linux. Linux users run ./alpr-community migrate export-docker, then copy the completed portable backup folder to Windows Setup. PostgreSQL 13/17 sources are exported logically using read-only PostgreSQL 17 clients. The selected application returns to its original running/stopped state. Original ports and volumes are retained.

Users pause Blue Iris ingestion and other writers through export, import and verification. Export validates the dump, settings, authentication and images, rechecks the source before sealing the backup, and rejects backup locations overlapping source storage. Import requires an empty target and does not merge histories. Instructions explain preserving records already collected by a new native installation.

Release validation also exposed a systemd user-bus startup permission race. Helper setup now retries that transient condition within its existing readiness bound; permanent denial retains the manual recovery path.

Windows/Linux installation and migration guides, User Guide 3.24, changelog and roadmap are updated for v0.1.56.

Validation

• Final source CI: unit/platform tests, types, lint, build, sanitation, database fixtures, distro bootstrap checks and real unattended Linux helper startup pass.
• Dependency-security gate passes for source 0b90303191e63da7644c15279d637f4135fe69b9.
• Real Docker matrix passes for Original ALPR PostgreSQL 13/17 and Community PostgreSQL 17, named volumes and bind mounts, source attestation, row/image checks and source recovery.
• Exact-tag stable Windows package: all CPU models, compiled installer lifecycle, 45 application/Settings routes (28 Settings pages), authentication, ingestion/images, direction persistence and a real Linux Docker backup restored into native Windows PostgreSQL pass.
• Helper regression checks prove transient permission recovery, bounded permanent denial and propagation of unrelated filesystem failures.

Actual Docker Desktop GUI export on a Windows source computer remains a disclosed field-test limitation. No live ALPR database or ingestion configuration was modified by these tests.