SimpleSync

Real-time file synchronization between VS Code, Cursor, and Windsurf instances on the same local network. No internet, no accounts, no configuration required.

Why SimpleSync?

SimpleSync is built for developers who need to mirror a workspace across two machines in real time — without cloud services or Git commits. Ideal for:

• Pair programming across two desks
• Testing on different hardware (desktop + laptop, Windows + Mac)
• Live secondary display of your code on another screen
• Teaching and demos where students follow along in real time

Installation

From Marketplace

Search for "SimpleSync" in the Extensions view (Ctrl+Shift+X) and click Install.

Install from Marketplace

Manual VSIX Installation

1. Download the latest simplesync-x.x.x.vsix from Releases.
2. In VS Code, open the Extensions view.
3. Click ... > Install from VSIX... and select the file.

Quick Start

Machine A — Broadcast

1. Open the folder you want to share.
2. Right-click the folder in the Explorer > SimpleSync: Start Broadcasting.
3. The status bar shows your session name and IP:Port. Share this with Machine B.

Machine B — Receive

1. Open any folder (received files land in a subfolder here).
2. Run SimpleSync: Connect to Session from the Command Palette.
3. Select the discovered session, or enter the IP:Port manually if discovery fails.

Live Sync

• Save a file on the broadcaster — it appears on the receiver within 1 second.
• Type on either side — live deltas sync automatically with a 1-second debounce.
• Delete a file on the broadcaster — it's removed on the receiver (with conflict check if locally modified).

Push Changes Back

On the receiver, right-click in the Explorer > SimpleSync: Push Changes Back to send all local modifications back to the broadcaster.

Commands

Sidebar Panel

The SimpleSync panel in the Activity Bar provides real-time visibility:

• Session — Broadcasting or Receiving, session name, connection address.
• Peers — IP addresses of all connected machines.
• Activity Log — Live feed of the last 50 events: files synced, conflicts, connections, errors.

Conflict Resolution

When a receiver modifies a file locally that the broadcaster then updates, SimpleSync pauses sync for that file and prompts:

• Keep Mine — Ignore the incoming change.
• Accept Incoming — Overwrite with the broadcaster's version.
• Compare — Open the VS Code Diff Editor to inspect both versions side by side.

Deletion conflicts are handled similarly — if the broadcaster deletes a file the receiver has modified, you're asked before it's removed.

Sync Rules

Custom Ignore Patterns

Create a .simplesyncignore file in your project root:

# Ignore log files
*.log

# Ignore a specific directory
tmp/

# Ignore a specific file
config/secrets.json

Requirements

• All machines must be on the same local network (Wi-Fi or Ethernet).
• Firewall must allow the TCP port shown in the status bar.
• UDP port 5353 must be open for mDNS auto-discovery (optional — manual connect works without it).

Troubleshooting

Privacy

SimpleSync operates entirely within your local network. No code, metadata, or telemetry is ever sent to external servers.

Links

• Marketplace
• GitHub
• Report an Issue