How can I restore /opt/local from time machine backup drive?

[Dave Horsfall]

On Sat, 29 Apr 2023, Tao Zhang wrote:

> I want to follow the following procedure to restore /opt/local to 
> previous date from time machine external drive,
> 
> but I get “Time Machine” can’t be modified or deleted because it’s 
> required by macOS." error message after I click "restore" button.
> 
>  Do you know how to fix it?

That would make sense because Time Machine is active at the time; the only 
way that I've been able to restore files outside my home directory is by 
logging off then on again as "root" (you may need to enable "root" or 
something) then bringing up Time Machine.

Of course, I wasn't trying to restore TM at the time...  I'd be interested 
in the answer from more knowledgeable people than me.

-- Dave