diff --git a/.dockerignore b/.dockerignore
index c09fb4d2a..e91e3fe3e 100644
--- a/.dockerignore
+++ b/.dockerignore
@@ -3,4 +3,5 @@ node_modules
 npm-debug.log
 readme*
 Start.bat
-/dist
\ No newline at end of file
+/dist
+/backups/
diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index adbad52f1..8f73d2edd 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -20,3 +20,4 @@ whitelist.txt
 secrets.json
 /dist
 poe_device.json
+/backups/
diff --git a/.npmignore b/.npmignore
index 225d3c058..896c9b028 100644
--- a/.npmignore
+++ b/.npmignore
@@ -5,3 +5,4 @@ node_modules/
 secrets.json
 /dist
 poe_device.json
+/backups/
diff --git a/server.js b/server.js
index ee1f0ff41..dcf6f8dcd 100644
--- a/server.js
+++ b/server.js
@@ -256,6 +256,7 @@ const directories = {
     extensions: 'public/scripts/extensions',
     instruct: 'public/instruct',
     context: 'public/context',
+    backups: 'backups/',
 };
 
 // CSRF Protection //
@@ -3335,6 +3336,7 @@ const setupTasks = async function () {
 
     console.log(`SillyTavern ${version.pkgVersion}` + (version.gitBranch ? ` '${version.gitBranch}' (${version.gitRevision})` : ''));
 
+    backupSettings();
     migrateSecrets();
     ensurePublicDirectoriesExist();
     await ensureThumbnailCache();
@@ -3426,6 +3428,41 @@ async function convertWebp() {
     }
 }
 
+function backupSettings() {
+    const MAX_BACKUPS = 25;
+
+    function generateTimestamp() {
+        const now = new Date();
+        const year = now.getFullYear();
+        const month = String(now.getMonth() + 1).padStart(2, '0');
+        const day = String(now.getDate()).padStart(2, '0');
+        const hours = String(now.getHours()).padStart(2, '0');
+        const minutes = String(now.getMinutes()).padStart(2, '0');
+        const seconds = String(now.getSeconds()).padStart(2, '0');
+
+        return `${year}${month}${day}-${hours}${minutes}${seconds}`;
+    }
+
+    try {
+        if (!fs.existsSync(directories.backups)) {
+            fs.mkdirSync(directories.backups);
+        }
+
+        const backupFile = path.join(directories.backups, `settings_${generateTimestamp()}.json`);
+        fs.copyFileSync(SETTINGS_FILE, backupFile);
+
+        let files = fs.readdirSync(directories.backups);
+        if (files.length > MAX_BACKUPS) {
+            files = files.map(f => path.join(directories.backups, f));
+            files.sort((a, b) => fs.statSync(a).mtimeMs - fs.statSync(b).mtimeMs);
+
+            fs.rmSync(files[0]);
+        }
+    } catch (err) {
+        console.log('Could not backup settings file', err);
+    }
+}
+
 function ensurePublicDirectoriesExist() {
     for (const dir of Object.values(directories)) {
         if (!fs.existsSync(dir)) {