SyncFolder
Running and Monitoring Tasks
Once a task is configured, you can run it yourself at any time, or let SyncFolder run it automatically with the triggers set on the Task configuration page. This chapter explains the Tasks page, where you manage and start tasks. The other pages in this chapter cover the Status page, resolving conflicts and running tasks from the command line.
The Tasks Page
Open the Tasks page from the Home page with Select existing tasks to execute, configure or check their status. If you prefer to start on this page, switch on Show the Tasks page when the app opens on the Settings page.
Each task in the list shows:
| Element | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Icon | The task type: 1-way sync, 2-way sync, copy, cut and paste, group or import. |
| Name | The task name. |
| Schedule | When the task runs automatically: a time with D (daily), W (weekly) or M (monthly), an interval in h, On change, or Manual. Greyed out when the schedule is taken over by a group. |
| Locations | Source → destination, or A ⇄ B for a 2-way sync task. |
| Result | The result of the last run. Its color shows whether the run succeeded, needs your attention, or failed. See Error Messages. |
| Progress | While the task runs: the current phase, a progress bar, and for example Files to be copied: 120 of 450 and Now copying: … |
Task Buttons
Click a task to select it. Its buttons appear:
| Button | What it does |
|---|---|
| Show status | Opens the Status page with the result and the details of the last run. |
| Execute | Runs the task now. |
| Stop task | Replaces Execute while the task is running. Stops the task as soon as possible. |
| Simulate | Runs the task without copying or deleting anything. The result shows what would happen. |
| Configure | Opens the Task configuration page. |
| … (more) | Opens a menu with more actions (see below). |
The … menu contains:
| Menu item | What it does |
|---|---|
| Delete | Removes the task after confirmation: "Are you sure you want to permanently remove task "…"?" Files in the locations are not touched. |
| Copy to | Creates a copy of the task, including its stored credentials. Enter the Name of the new task (default: the name followed by (Copy)). |
| Add to group | Adds the task to a group. |
| Configure · Show status · Simulate · Execute | Same as the buttons above. |
| Reset | Clears the task's history and cache files. The task then behaves as if it has never run (Awaiting first run). See below. |
Selection Mode
Click the selection button in the page header (Enter selection mode) to select several tasks at once. You can then Execute all selected tasks or delete them (Delete selected tasks). Click the button again to exit selection mode.
Creating a Task
Click New task in the page header to create a new task. You can also create tasks from the Home page.
Execute, Simulate and Reset
Execute
SyncFolder runs one task at a time. If you start a task while another one is running, it waits in the queue with the status Task is waiting to start... While a task runs, its status shows the current phase:
| Status | Phase |
|---|---|
| Task is being prepared... | Opening the locations and loading the task's cache. |
| Scanning source location... / Scanning destination location... | Listing the files and folders. |
| Looking up new and modified files... | Comparing both locations. |
| Synchronizing folders... | Creating and renaming folders. |
| Copying... | Copying files. Now copying: shows the current file. |
| Deleting files... / Deleting folders... | Removing items that no longer exist at the other side. |
| Saving folders/files status | Updating the cache for the next run. |
When a task runs in the background (on a schedule or another trigger), SyncFolder notifies you only when something went wrong or needs your attention. For tasks you start yourself, you can also get a notification on success — see Notifications in App Settings.
Simulate
A simulation goes through all phases of a run but doesn't copy, move or delete anything. Afterwards the Status page says "Task execution was simulated. None of the files have been copied or deleted." and the result reads, for example, Success (simulation), to copy: 25, to delete: 3. Open Actions on the Status page to see the exact files.
Always simulate a new 1-way sync or cut-and-paste task before running it for real, especially when the destination already contains files.
Reset
A reset clears the task's cache files and puts it in a condition where it appears that the task has not been executed yet. Use it when:
- files at the destination were changed or deleted outside SyncFolder and you want SyncFolder to copy them again;
- you want a 2-way sync task to start over (on the next run, files that exist on only one side are copied to the other side; nothing is deleted).
Related topics: Task Status · Resolving Conflicts · Command Line · Error Messages