Is it safe to do live work locally and back up automatic to a folder in iCloud? My backups are compressed zip files. I am using both Mac and Windows versions.
That is totally ok. As with anything cloud, ensure all completed before sleeping/shutting down system.
In addition to @RuffPub’s comments, given your concern it would be prudent to test restores every so often to check that you know how to do it and that the backup zip files (which I presume are those backups created automatically by Scrivener) are not corrupted for whatever reason.
This works fine. My novels are stored in DropBox (sync between iOS where I do most drafting, and macOS, where I do most editing). My Scrivener backups are set to an iCloud folder.
For an extra safety net, I also use BackBlaze on the desktop. It archives all files on the Mac (including everything that is already in iCloud, the DropBox folders and the backup ZIPs Scrivener creates) to another cloud, and keeps file changes for a year. It provides unlimited space, but it is a backup service rather than “active files”, if that makes sense. It’s a pay-for, but it’s great peace of mind knowing that everything is also archived as a whole somewhere else too.
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Second the recommendation for BackBlaze. Having a true backup, not just a synchronization-service-with-backup-features, is an extremely good idea.
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And don’t forget Time Machine! Free with MacOS and one of the most robust local backup apps.
Lost count of the number of calls I evaluated where an advisor helped a cx drill down to get a specific file from a specific day to rescue work.
Of course doubly great that AppleCare advisors add to the power of the app by handholding to recovery. For anyone facing data disaster with a Mac, don’t forget those additional free resources (app and AppleCare).
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Thank you for your recommendations!