Keep vs drop

When you run sanitize --keep-cluster c-xxxxx, rancher-polymorph classifies every tar member:

Disposition	Meaning
KEEP	Retained in output tarball
DROP	Removed
STRIP	Local cluster — always removed on sanitize
PRESENT	In backup inventory (inspect-only mode)

Always stripped

• Local cluster management CR and related objects
• Fleet-local namespace artifacts
• Node/project RBAC under local/

Kept for selected cluster

• Global Rancher settings and auth configs (except local-specific)
• Management CR, nodes, secrets for kept cluster ID
• Fleet mappings for kept cluster

Dropped

• All other downstream cluster definitions and objects
• Fleet bundles for removed clusters
• Orphan ghost paths (when auto-orphans enabled)

Preview before running

rancher-polymorph inspect -i full.tar.gz --tree --keep-cluster c-xxxxx

Or use the TUI tree preview (before/after tabs).