Synchronizing directories

Synchronization compares a local directory with a remote one and transfers only what differs. Use it to publish a site, to back up a server directory, or to bring two copies back in line after working on both.

Start a synchronization

1. Open the local directory in the local panel and the remote directory in the remote panel.
2. Choose Commands › Synchronize… or press Ctrl+S.
3. Check the two paths under Directories. You can type other paths or pick a local one with Browse….
4. Pick the direction, the mode and the options (described below).
5. Click OK.

linscp first scans both trees. A small window shows the local and remote directory being compared and lets you cancel or minimize. When nothing differs, linscp tells you and stops.

Direction

The Direction/Target directory group says which side gets changed:

• Remote uploads, so the server ends up like your computer.
• Local downloads, so your computer ends up like the server.
• Both copies newer files each way. Only the modification time decides, so file size, mirror mode and deleting are not available.

Unless you saved your options, linscp proposes the side opposite to the active panel: with the local panel focused, the target is Remote.

Mode

• Synchronize files copies files that are new or newer on the source side.
• Mirror files copies every file that differs, even when the target copy is newer. Use it when the source is the reference and must win.
• Synchronize timestamps transfers nothing. It sets the target files’ modification times to the source’s, for files that exist on both sides. It is offered only when the protocol can set times on the server.

Options and criteria

Under Synchronize options:

• Delete files removes files on the target that the source does not have.
• Selected files only limits the run to the files and folders you selected in the panels before opening the dialog.
• Existing files only updates files already on the target and never adds new ones.
• Preview changes shows the checklist (below) before anything is copied.

Under Comparison criteria, choose what makes two files differ: Modification time, File size, Checksum (only for protocols that can compute one on the server) and Case sensitive name matching.

The transfer settings box at the bottom works as in the copy dialog; see transfer settings. Check Use same options next time to keep your choices.

Caution

Delete files together with the wrong direction removes data. Turn on Preview changes until you trust a setup.

Review the checklist

With Preview changes on, the Synchronization checklist lists every planned action: upload new, download new, upload update, download update, delete remote, delete local. For each file you see name, sizes and dates on both sides.

• Clear a row’s check box to skip that action. Check All and Uncheck All act on the whole list.
• Reverse turns the selected actions around, for example an upload into a download.
• The right-click menu can also check or uncheck everything in one directory, open the local directory, and copy either directory’s path.
• Tools has Calculate and Calculate All for folder sizes, plus Move and Find Move Candidate to turn a delete and an upload of the same file into a single remote move.
• Start runs the actions now. Start in Background hands them to the queue so you can keep working.

The status line under the list counts the checked actions of each kind.

From a script

linscp-cli has the same feature as the synchronize script command, with the same directions and criteria. See script commands for the switches.

For a quick look at what differs, without copying anything, use Compare Directories. To push changes as they happen, use Keep Remote Directory up to Date.