The present technology is directed to providing a backup service utilizing a bi-directional synchronization architecture. In order to support both a backup service and a bi-directional synchronization service, the present technology can utilize a special object called an anchor that only permits unidirectional synchronization. Additionally, the present technology separates the backup service from the bi-directional synchronization service. This separation includes utilizing a separate backup directory and bi-directional synchronization directory on a client device, which in turn benefits from the use of a separate instance of the synchronization service on the client device. Further, at the content management system various steps are taken to separate the backup directory from the bi-directional synchronization directory to ensure no objects from the backup directory appear in a user interface related to bi-directional synchronization, and vice versa.