diff --git a/Dockerfile b/Dockerfile
index 2b6f261..07ebd53 100644
--- a/Dockerfile
+++ b/Dockerfile
@@ -1,8 +1,10 @@
 FROM alpine:3.22
 
-RUN apk add --no-cache restic docker-cli docker-cli-compose curl
+RUN apk add --no-cache restic docker-cli docker-cli-compose curl zstd bash
 
 COPY backup.sh /backup.sh
+COPY backup_local.sh /backup_local.sh
+COPY backup_restic.sh /backup_restic.sh
 RUN chmod +x /backup.sh
 
 ENTRYPOINT [ "/backup.sh" ]
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 23e7403..3c135b7 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -1,34 +1,55 @@
 # Database Backup Container
 
-A lightweight Alpine-based Docker container for backing up MariaDB and PostgreSQL databases using Restic.
+A lightweight Alpine-based Docker container for backing up MariaDB and PostgreSQL databases with support for both local snapshots and Restic backups.
 
 ## Overview
 
-This container automatically detects the database type (MariaDB or PostgreSQL) in a target container and creates backups using Restic. It supports backing up databases from other Docker containers by executing dump commands inside them.
+This container automatically detects the database type (MariaDB or PostgreSQL) in a target container and creates backups using either local file storage with compression or Restic repositories. It supports backing up databases from other Docker containers by executing dump commands inside them.
 
 ## Features
 
 - **Multi-database support**: Automatically detects and backs up MariaDB or PostgreSQL databases
+- **Dual backup methods**: Choose between local compressed files or Restic repositories
+- **Local snapshots**: Create compressed (zstd) local backup files with timestamps
 - **Restic integration**: Uses Restic for efficient, encrypted, and deduplicated backups
 - **Docker-in-Docker**: Can access and backup databases from other containers
+- **Notification support**: Optional webhook notifications when backups complete
 - **Lightweight**: Based on Alpine Linux for minimal footprint
 
 ## Prerequisites
 
 - Docker with socket access (`/var/run/docker.sock`)
 - Target container with either MariaDB or PostgreSQL client tools
-- Restic repository (local, S3, B2, etc.)
+- For Restic backups: Restic repository (local, S3, B2, etc.)
+- For local backups: Mounted volume for backup storage
 
 ## Environment Variables
 
-### Required
+### Required (All Methods)
 
 | Variable | Description |
 |----------|-------------|
 | `CONTAINER` | Name of the Docker container where the database is running |
+
+### For Restic Backups
+
+| Variable | Description |
+|----------|-------------|
 | `RESTIC_PASSWORD` | Password for the Restic repository |
 | `RESTIC_REPOSITORY` | Restic repository URL (e.g., `s3:s3.amazonaws.com/bucket`, `/data/backups`) |
 
+### For Local Backups
+
+| Variable | Description |
+|----------|-------------|
+| `TARGET_DIR` | Directory where backup files will be stored |
+
+### Optional
+
+| Variable | Description |
+|----------|-------------|
+| `NOTIFY_URL` | Optional webhook URL to call when backup completes |
+
 ### Database-specific
 
 #### For MariaDB containers:
@@ -45,7 +66,14 @@ This container automatically detects the database type (MariaDB or PostgreSQL) i
 
 ## Usage
 
-### Basic Usage
+### Backup Methods
+
+The container supports two backup methods:
+
+1. **`restic`** - Backup to Restic repositories (cloud storage, remote servers)
+2. **`local`** - Create compressed local backup files
+
+### Restic Backups
 
 ```bash
 docker run --rm \
@@ -54,11 +82,25 @@ docker run --rm \
   -e RESTIC_PASSWORD=my-secret-password \
   -e RESTIC_REPOSITORY=s3:s3.amazonaws.com/my-backup-bucket \
   -e MARIADB_ROOT_PASSWORD=db-password \
-  gitea.ceperka.net/rosti/db-backup:latest
+  gitea.ceperka.net/rosti/db-backup:latest restic
+```
+
+### Local Backups
+
+```bash
+docker run --rm \
+  -v /var/run/docker.sock:/var/run/docker.sock \
+  -v /host/backup/path:/backups \
+  -e CONTAINER=my-mariadb-container \
+  -e TARGET_DIR=/backups \
+  -e MARIADB_ROOT_PASSWORD=db-password \
+  gitea.ceperka.net/rosti/db-backup:latest local
 ```
 
 ### With Docker Compose
 
+#### Restic Backup Setup
+
 ```yaml
 version: '3.8'
 
@@ -71,18 +113,51 @@ services:
     volumes:
       - db_data:/var/lib/mysql
 
-  backup:
+  backup-restic:
     image: gitea.ceperka.net/rosti/db-backup:latest
     depends_on:
       - database
     environment:
       CONTAINER: database
       RESTIC_PASSWORD: my-backup-password
-      RESTIC_REPOSITORY: /backups
+      RESTIC_REPOSITORY: s3:s3.amazonaws.com/my-backup-bucket
       MARIADB_ROOT_PASSWORD: secretpassword
+      NOTIFY_URL: https://hc-ping.com/your-healthcheck-uuid
+    volumes:
+      - /var/run/docker.sock:/var/run/docker.sock
+    command: ["restic"]
+
+volumes:
+  db_data:
+```
+
+#### Local Backup Setup
+
+```yaml
+version: '3.8'
+
+services:
+  database:
+    image: mariadb:latest
+    environment:
+      MARIADB_ROOT_PASSWORD: secretpassword
+      MARIADB_DATABASE: myapp
+    volumes:
+      - db_data:/var/lib/mysql
+
+  backup-local:
+    image: gitea.ceperka.net/rosti/db-backup:latest
+    depends_on:
+      - database
+    environment:
+      CONTAINER: database
+      TARGET_DIR: /backups
+      MARIADB_ROOT_PASSWORD: secretpassword
+      NOTIFY_URL: https://hc-ping.com/your-healthcheck-uuid
     volumes:
       - /var/run/docker.sock:/var/run/docker.sock
       - ./backups:/backups
+    command: ["local"]
 
 volumes:
   db_data:
@@ -92,18 +167,27 @@ volumes:
 
 To run backups on a schedule, you can use cron or a container orchestrator:
 
+#### Restic Backups
 ```bash
-# Add to crontab for daily backups at 2 AM
-0 2 * * * docker run --rm -v /var/run/docker.sock:/var/run/docker.sock -e CONTAINER=my-db -e RESTIC_PASSWORD=pass -e RESTIC_REPOSITORY=/backups -e MARIADB_ROOT_PASSWORD=dbpass gitea.ceperka.net/rosti/db-backup:latest
+# Add to crontab for daily Restic backups at 2 AM
+0 2 * * * docker run --rm -v /var/run/docker.sock:/var/run/docker.sock -e CONTAINER=my-db -e RESTIC_PASSWORD=pass -e RESTIC_REPOSITORY=s3:s3.amazonaws.com/bucket -e MARIADB_ROOT_PASSWORD=dbpass gitea.ceperka.net/rosti/db-backup:latest restic
+```
+
+#### Local Backups
+```bash
+# Add to crontab for daily local backups at 3 AM
+0 3 * * * docker run --rm -v /var/run/docker.sock:/var/run/docker.sock -v /host/backups:/backups -e CONTAINER=my-db -e TARGET_DIR=/backups -e MARIADB_ROOT_PASSWORD=dbpass gitea.ceperka.net/rosti/db-backup:latest local
 ```
 
 ### Kubernetes CronJob
 
+#### Restic Backup CronJob
+
 ```yaml
 apiVersion: batch/v1
 kind: CronJob
 metadata:
-  name: database-backup
+  name: database-backup-restic
 spec:
   schedule: "0 2 * * *"  # Daily at 2 AM
   jobTemplate:
@@ -113,6 +197,7 @@ spec:
           containers:
           - name: backup
             image: gitea.ceperka.net/rosti/db-backup:latest
+            args: ["restic"]
             env:
             - name: CONTAINER
               value: "my-database-pod"
@@ -138,12 +223,87 @@ spec:
           restartPolicy: OnFailure
 ```
 
+#### Local Backup CronJob
+
+```yaml
+apiVersion: batch/v1
+kind: CronJob
+metadata:
+  name: database-backup-local
+spec:
+  schedule: "0 3 * * *"  # Daily at 3 AM
+  jobTemplate:
+    spec:
+      template:
+        spec:
+          containers:
+          - name: backup
+            image: gitea.ceperka.net/rosti/db-backup:latest
+            args: ["local"]
+            env:
+            - name: CONTAINER
+              value: "my-database-pod"
+            - name: TARGET_DIR
+              value: "/backups"
+            - name: MARIADB_ROOT_PASSWORD
+              valueFrom:
+                secretKeyRef:
+                  name: db-secrets
+                  key: root-password
+            volumeMounts:
+            - name: docker-sock
+              mountPath: /var/run/docker.sock
+            - name: backup-storage
+              mountPath: /backups
+          volumes:
+          - name: docker-sock
+            hostPath:
+              path: /var/run/docker.sock
+          - name: backup-storage
+            persistentVolumeClaim:
+              claimName: backup-pvc
+          restartPolicy: OnFailure
+```
+
 ## Backup File Naming
 
+### Restic Backups
 Backups are stored with the following naming convention:
 - MariaDB: `mariadb_[CONTAINER]_[DB_NAME].sql`
 - PostgreSQL: `pgsql_[CONTAINER]_[DB_NAME].sql`
 
+### Local Backups
+Local backup files include timestamps and are compressed:
+- MariaDB: `YYYYMMDD_HHMMSS_mariadb_[CONTAINER]_[DB_NAME].sql.zst`
+- PostgreSQL: `YYYYMMDD_HHMMSS_pgsql_[CONTAINER]_[DB_NAME].sql.zst`
+
+Local backups use zstd compression for efficient storage and include atomic file operations (temporary files are renamed when complete).
+
+## MariaDB Backup Features
+
+The container includes comprehensive MariaDB backup options:
+
+- **`--add-drop-trigger`** - Add DROP TRIGGER statements
+- **`--add-drop-table`** - Add DROP TABLE statements  
+- **`--add-drop-database`** - Add DROP DATABASE statements
+- **`--hex-blob`** - Use hexadecimal notation for binary data
+- **`--compress`** - Compress data in backup
+- **`--events`** - Include events in backup
+- **`--routines`** - Include stored procedures and functions
+- **`--single-transaction`** - Consistent backup for InnoDB tables
+- **`--triggers`** - Include triggers in backup
+
+## Notification Support
+
+Both backup methods support optional webhook notifications:
+
+```bash
+# Set NOTIFY_URL to receive notifications when backups complete
+-e NOTIFY_URL=https://hc-ping.com/your-healthcheck-uuid
+```
+
+The container will make a GET request to the URL after successful backup completion.
+
 ## Supported Restic Repositories
 
 This container supports all Restic repository types:
@@ -191,14 +351,31 @@ docker build -t gitea.ceperka.net/rosti/db-backup:dev .
    - Verify database credentials are correct
    - Ensure environment variables are properly set
 
+4. **"TARGET_DIR does not exist"** (Local backups)
+   - Ensure the target directory is mounted as a volume
+   - Check directory permissions
+
+5. **"Unknown backup method"**
+   - Ensure you specify either `local` or `restic` as the command argument
+
 ### Debug Mode
 
 To debug issues, you can run the container interactively:
 
+#### Restic Debug
 ```bash
 docker run -it --rm \
   -v /var/run/docker.sock:/var/run/docker.sock \
-  --entrypoint /bin/sh \
+  --entrypoint /bin/bash \
+  gitea.ceperka.net/rosti/db-backup:latest
+```
+
+#### Local Debug
+```bash
+docker run -it --rm \
+  -v /var/run/docker.sock:/var/run/docker.sock \
+  -v /host/backup/path:/backups \
+  --entrypoint /bin/bash \
   gitea.ceperka.net/rosti/db-backup:latest
 ```
 
@@ -209,6 +386,3 @@ docker run -it --rm \
 - Regularly rotate Restic repository passwords
 - Consider using encrypted storage for backup repositories
 
-## License
-
-This project is licensed under the MIT License.
diff --git a/Taskfile.yml b/Taskfile.yml
index 0bd3bc1..c50331e 100644
--- a/Taskfile.yml
+++ b/Taskfile.yml
@@ -19,3 +19,6 @@ tasks:
   testdb:
     cmds:
     - docker run -d --name testmariadb --env MARIADB_USER=maria --env MARIADB_PASSWORD=maria --env MARIADB_DATABASE=maria --env MARIADB_ROOT_PASSWORD=maria mariadb:latest
+  test:
+    cmds:
+    - docker run --name testmariadb-snapshot --rm -e CONTAINER=testmariadb -e TARGET_DIR=/backup -v ./tmp:/backup {{ .IMAGE }}:{{ .TAG }} local
diff --git a/backup.sh b/backup.sh
index daeebee..5eacf7b 100644
--- a/backup.sh
+++ b/backup.sh
@@ -1,61 +1,9 @@
 #!/bin/bash
 
-# Environment variables
-#
-# CONTAINER - name of the container where the database is running
-# RESTIC_PASSWORD
-# RESTIC_REPOSITORY
-# NOTIFY_URL - optional, URL to send notification to
-
-if [ -z "$CONTAINER" ]; then
-    echo "CONTAINER environment variable is not set."
-    exit 1
-fi
-
-if [ -z "$RESTIC_PASSWORD" ]; then
-    echo "RESTIC_PASSWORD environment variable is not set."
-    exit 1
-fi
-
-if [ -z "$RESTIC_REPOSITORY" ]; then
-    echo "RESTIC_REPOSITORY environment variable is not set."
-    exit 1
-fi
-
-if [ ! `docker info` ]; then
-    echo "Docker is not available."
-    exit 1
-fi
-
-echo "Starting backup for container: $CONTAINER"
-if [ `docker exec -i $CONTAINER test -e /usr/bin/mariadb-dump && echo "yes" || echo "no"` = "yes" ]; then
-    DBTYPE="mariadb"
-    docker exec -i $CONTAINER mariadb-dump \
-        --user=root \
-        --password=$MARIADB_ROOT_PASSWORD \
-        --add-drop-trigger \
-        --add-drop-table \
-        --add-drop-database \
-        --hex-blob \
-        --compress \
-        --events \
-        --routines \
-        --single-transaction \
-        --triggers | restic backup --stdin --stdin-filename=$DBTYPE_$CONTAINER_$DB_NAME.sql
-elif [ `docker exec -i $CONTAINER test -e /usr/bin/pg_dump && echo "yes" || echo "no"` = "yes" ]; then
-    DBTYPE="pgsql"
-    docker exec -i $CONTAINER pg_dump --username=$DB_USER --password=$PGPASSWORD $DB_NAME | restic backup --stdin --stdin-filename=$DBTYPE_$CONTAINER_$DB_NAME.sql
+if [ "$1" = "local" ]; then
+    source /backup_local.sh
+elif [ "$1" = "restic" ]; then
+    source /backup_restic.sh
 else
-    echo "Unsupported database type or database client not found in the container."
-    exit 1
-fi
-
-echo "Backup completed successfully."
-
-echo "Running restic forget and prune..."
-
-restic forget --prune --keep-daily 7 --keep-weekly 4
-
-if [ -n "$NOTIFY_URL" ]; then
-    curl $NOTIFY_URL
+    echo "Unknown backup method. Use 'local' or 'restic'."
 fi
diff --git a/backup_local.sh b/backup_local.sh
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..eaca647
--- /dev/null
+++ b/backup_local.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,61 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+
+# Environment variables
+#
+# CONTAINER - name of the container where the database is running
+# NOTIFY_URL - optional, URL to send notification to
+# TARGET_DIR - directory where to store the backup
+
+if [ -z "$CONTAINER" ]; then
+    echo "CONTAINER environment variable is not set."
+    exit 1
+fi
+
+if [ -z "$TARGET_DIR" ]; then
+    echo "TARGET_DIR environment variable is not set."
+    exit 1
+fi
+
+if [ ! `docker info` ]; then
+    echo "Docker is not available."
+    exit 1
+fi
+
+if [ ! -d "$TARGET_DIR" ]; then
+    echo "TARGET_DIR does not exist. Creating it..."
+    exit 2
+fi
+
+
+echo "Starting backup for container: $CONTAINER"
+if [ `docker exec -i $CONTAINER test -e /usr/bin/mariadb-dump && echo "yes" || echo "no"` = "yes" ]; then
+    DBTYPE="mariadb"
+    FILENAME=`date +"%Y%m%d_%H%M%S"`_$DBTYPE_$CONTAINER_$DB_NAME.sql.zst.tmp
+    docker exec -i $CONTAINER mariadb-dump \
+        --user=root \
+        --password=$MARIADB_ROOT_PASSWORD \
+        --add-drop-trigger \
+        --add-drop-table \
+        --add-drop-database \
+        --hex-blob \
+        --compress \
+        --events \
+        --routines \
+        --single-transaction \
+        --triggers | zstd -1 > $TARGET_DIR/
+        mv $TARGET_DIR/$DBTYPE_$CONTAINER_$DB_NAME.sql.zst.tmp $TARGET_DIR/$DBTYPE_$CONTAINER_$DB_NAME.sql.zst
+elif [ `docker exec -i $CONTAINER test -e /usr/bin/pg_dump && echo "yes" || echo "no"` = "yes" ]; then
+    DBTYPE="pgsql"
+    FILENAME=`date +"%Y%m%d_%H%M%S"`_$DBTYPE_$CONTAINER_$DB_NAME.sql.zst
+    docker exec -i $CONTAINER pg_dump --username=$DB_USER --password=$PGPASSWORD $DB_NAME | zstd -1 > $TARGET_DIR/$FILENAME.tmp
+    mv $TARGET_DIR/$FILENAME.tmp $TARGET_DIR/$FILENAME
+else
+    echo "Unsupported database type or database client not found in the container."
+    exit 1
+fi
+
+echo "Backup completed successfully."
+
+if [ -n "$NOTIFY_URL" ]; then
+    curl $NOTIFY_URL
+fi
diff --git a/backup_restic.sh b/backup_restic.sh
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..daeebee
--- /dev/null
+++ b/backup_restic.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,61 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+
+# Environment variables
+#
+# CONTAINER - name of the container where the database is running
+# RESTIC_PASSWORD
+# RESTIC_REPOSITORY
+# NOTIFY_URL - optional, URL to send notification to
+
+if [ -z "$CONTAINER" ]; then
+    echo "CONTAINER environment variable is not set."
+    exit 1
+fi
+
+if [ -z "$RESTIC_PASSWORD" ]; then
+    echo "RESTIC_PASSWORD environment variable is not set."
+    exit 1
+fi
+
+if [ -z "$RESTIC_REPOSITORY" ]; then
+    echo "RESTIC_REPOSITORY environment variable is not set."
+    exit 1
+fi
+
+if [ ! `docker info` ]; then
+    echo "Docker is not available."
+    exit 1
+fi
+
+echo "Starting backup for container: $CONTAINER"
+if [ `docker exec -i $CONTAINER test -e /usr/bin/mariadb-dump && echo "yes" || echo "no"` = "yes" ]; then
+    DBTYPE="mariadb"
+    docker exec -i $CONTAINER mariadb-dump \
+        --user=root \
+        --password=$MARIADB_ROOT_PASSWORD \
+        --add-drop-trigger \
+        --add-drop-table \
+        --add-drop-database \
+        --hex-blob \
+        --compress \
+        --events \
+        --routines \
+        --single-transaction \
+        --triggers | restic backup --stdin --stdin-filename=$DBTYPE_$CONTAINER_$DB_NAME.sql
+elif [ `docker exec -i $CONTAINER test -e /usr/bin/pg_dump && echo "yes" || echo "no"` = "yes" ]; then
+    DBTYPE="pgsql"
+    docker exec -i $CONTAINER pg_dump --username=$DB_USER --password=$PGPASSWORD $DB_NAME | restic backup --stdin --stdin-filename=$DBTYPE_$CONTAINER_$DB_NAME.sql
+else
+    echo "Unsupported database type or database client not found in the container."
+    exit 1
+fi
+
+echo "Backup completed successfully."
+
+echo "Running restic forget and prune..."
+
+restic forget --prune --keep-daily 7 --keep-weekly 4
+
+if [ -n "$NOTIFY_URL" ]; then
+    curl $NOTIFY_URL
+fi