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What is .sync directory

The .sync is a hidden folder in the root of the Job folder. It contains service files required to perform a given Job. The .sync folder is created on all Agents participating in Synchronization, Hybrid Work, File Caching and Run Script Jobs and on destination Agents in Distribution and Consolidation Jobs.

Agents use this directory to identify the Job folder. Deleting the .sync folder for an active Job renders error message for the Agent.

The .sync folder is not created in virtual Transparent Selective Sync folders on macOS Agents. It's created in cloud storages, but with some peculiarities mentioned in Cloud Agent - characteristics and limitations.

.sync folder structure

Note

Not all of the listed items are present in every Job instance. Some of them are specific to certain Job types and Agent settings. The image does not illustrate all of them.

Sync Directory

  • Archive folder
    This is the folder with file version and files deleted from remote agents. Read more about Archive here. It's always created. If the Archive folder is deleted, Agent won't be able to store files here until restarted. If the Agent is removed from the Job or the Job itself is deleted, Archive remains on disk.

  • FolderType
    Contains information about Read-Write or Read-Only access and Selective Sync setting for this Agent.

  • ID file
    Identifier of directory. It is unique for each Agent in each job. Deleting or changing ID file causes "error with ID file". If the Agent is removed from the Job or the Job itself is deleted, the ID file is deleted from the file system.

  • IgnoreList
    A plain-text file which keeps rules for items that Agent will ignore. For more information, see Ignoring and whitelisting files on Agents.
    If the Agent is removed from the Job or the Job itself is deleted, IgnoreList remains on the file system.

  • root_acl_entry
    A service file that makes Agent track NTFS and POSIX permissions change for the shared folder itself. Don't touch this file. If the Agent is removed from the Job or the Job itself is deleted, the root_acl_entry is deleted from the file system.

  • Streams folder
    Agent is capable of syncing extended files attributed (xattrs) and alt streams. If the operating system does not support a synced streams format, these are stored in Streams directory so as not to break synchronization. Agent can pass these over to other Agents.

  • StreamsList
    A plain-text file that instructs Agent to synchronize files xattrs. For more information, see Alt streams and xattrs.

  • Files with .!sync extension
    These are the files that are being downloaded. The Agent stores them temporarily to the .sync folder and once they finish downloading, they are moved to their destination folder.