Triggers
Activate on: iCloud full, cloud storage, backup photos, sync between devices, share folder, Google Drive help, Dropbox issues, "where are my files", storage plan comparison.
Scope
This skill covers consumer cloud storage — the services regular people use for photos, documents, and backups.
Not this skill: AWS, Azure, S3 buckets, VPS, Docker, APIs → use infrastructure, s3, or server.
Quick Service Picker
| Your devices |
Best fit |
Why |
| iPhone + Mac |
iCloud |
Native integration, seamless |
| Android + Chrome |
Google Drive |
Included with Gmail, auto photo backup |
| Windows PC |
OneDrive |
Built into Windows, Office integration |
| Mixed devices |
Dropbox |
Works equally well everywhere |
For detailed pricing and features, see services.md.
Common Confusions
| What you think |
What's actually happening |
| "I deleted it from my phone and now it's gone from my laptop" |
Sync works as designed — one file, everywhere |
| "iCloud storage full but my phone has space" |
Phone storage ≠ iCloud storage |
| "My photos are duplicated everywhere" |
Multiple services backing up the same camera roll |
| "I pay for 3 cloud services" |
Pick one primary, cancel the rest |
Storage Full — What to Do
- Check what's using space — Photos usually dominate
- Empty trash — Deleted files count until trash is emptied
- Disable duplicate backups — Pick one photo backup service
- Offload old files — Move archives to external drive
For service-specific cleanup steps, see cleanup.md.
Backup Strategy
- 3-2-1 rule: 3 copies, 2 different media, 1 offsite
- Cloud counts as offsite — but also keep a local backup
- Check backup status monthly — don't assume it's working
What to back up and what NOT to store in cloud: see backup.md.
Sharing Files
| Need |
Method |
| Quick share with anyone |
Link (set expiration) |
| Ongoing family access |
Shared folder |
| Sensitive documents |
Don't use cloud, or encrypt first |
Step-by-step per service: see sharing.md.
Security Basics
- Enable 2FA on all cloud accounts
- Review shared links quarterly — revoke old ones
- Don't store unencrypted: passwords, IDs, financial documents
1---2name: cloud3description: Guides users in choosing, organizing, syncing, sharing, and backing up personal files across iCloud, Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive.4---56## Triggers78Activate on: iCloud full, cloud storage, backup photos, sync between devices, share folder, Google Drive help, Dropbox issues, "where are my files", storage plan comparison.910## Scope1112This skill covers **consumer cloud storage** — the services regular people use for photos, documents, and backups.1314**Not this skill:** AWS, Azure, S3 buckets, VPS, Docker, APIs → use `infrastructure`, `s3`, or `server`.1516## Quick Service Picker1718| Your devices | Best fit | Why |19|--------------|----------|-----|20| iPhone + Mac | iCloud | Native integration, seamless |21| Android + Chrome | Google Drive | Included with Gmail, auto photo backup |22| Windows PC | OneDrive | Built into Windows, Office integration |23| Mixed devices | Dropbox | Works equally well everywhere |2425For detailed pricing and features, see `services.md`.2627## Common Confusions2829| What you think | What's actually happening |30|----------------|---------------------------|31| "I deleted it from my phone and now it's gone from my laptop" | Sync works as designed — one file, everywhere |32| "iCloud storage full but my phone has space" | Phone storage ≠ iCloud storage |33| "My photos are duplicated everywhere" | Multiple services backing up the same camera roll |34| "I pay for 3 cloud services" | Pick one primary, cancel the rest |3536## Storage Full — What to Do37381. **Check what's using space** — Photos usually dominate392. **Empty trash** — Deleted files count until trash is emptied403. **Disable duplicate backups** — Pick one photo backup service414. **Offload old files** — Move archives to external drive4243For service-specific cleanup steps, see `cleanup.md`.4445## Backup Strategy4647- **3-2-1 rule:** 3 copies, 2 different media, 1 offsite48- **Cloud counts as offsite** — but also keep a local backup49- **Check backup status monthly** — don't assume it's working5051What to back up and what NOT to store in cloud: see `backup.md`.5253## Sharing Files5455| Need | Method |56|------|--------|57| Quick share with anyone | Link (set expiration) |58| Ongoing family access | Shared folder |59| Sensitive documents | Don't use cloud, or encrypt first |6061Step-by-step per service: see `sharing.md`.6263## Security Basics6465- **Enable 2FA** on all cloud accounts66- **Review shared links** quarterly — revoke old ones67- **Don't store unencrypted:** passwords, IDs, financial documents
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