File synchronization compares and synchronizes files and directories between your local computer and the remote server, making sure both locations contain the same files and directories.
sync [options] <local path> <remote path>
local path and remote path you can use either an absolute path or a relative path.
Options
--direction, -d: synchronization type:
localtoremote, l: one-way synchronization replicating local files noton the server, removing files on the server that don’t exist on the local
directory.
remotetolocal, r: one-way synchronization replicating remote files
on the local directory, removing files on the local directory that don’t
exist on the server.
bidirectional, b: two-way synchronization replicating local files
not on the server and replicating remote files on the local directory,
no files are deleted.
--exists, -e: allow to specify how to handle files that exist on both sides:
ignore, i: just ignore the files.
newer, n: upload or download if the source is newer than the target.
size, s: upload or download if file sizes are different. Ignored in the
bidirectional type.
sizeornewer, w: upload or download if source is newer or file sizes are dif-
ferent. Ignored in the bidirectional type.
--recursive, -r: synchronize recursively files and subdirectories.
--preview, -p: allows to see the expected result of synchronization without actually executing it. No changes take place.
--exclude: exclusion condition. Files matching the condition are ignored. See Filter Files and Directories.
--match: exclusion condition match type. See Filter Files and Directories.
--rootonly, -t: apply exclusion condition only to entries in synchronization root. Requires --exclude and --recursive options.
Note: The path parameters are always local first and remote second, regardless of the direction option.
Examples
Copy new and updated local files to server:
sync --direction localtoremote --recursive --exists newer /Files/website/
public_html /public_html
Backup remote files to local:
sync --direction remotetolocal --recursive --exists newer /Documents/backup /
files/documents