modbender Multi-Device Sync via GitHub
Synchronize OpenClaw workspace data across multiple machines using a private GitHub repository.
Features
- Automatic push: File changes trigger immediate git commit + push (via inotifywait/fswatch)
- Periodic pull: Configurable interval (default: 5 minutes) to pull remote changes
- Conflict detection: Manual resolution required on conflicts
- Multi-device support: Each device uses distinct file prefixes for memory files
- Cross-platform: Works on Linux (inotifywait) and macOS (fswatch)
- Selective sync: Choose which files to synchronize
- Interactive setup: Guided installation with customization options
Architecture
Device A (Ubuntu) ◄────► GitHub Repo ◄────► Device B (Mac)
│ │ │
auto-push central auto-push
periodic pull hub periodic pull
Prerequisites
Linux (Ubuntu/Debian)
sudo apt-get install -y git inotify-tools
macOS
brew install git fswatch
Quick Start
Interactive Installation (Recommended)
curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/RegulusZ/multi-device-sync-github/main/install.sh | bash
The installer will guide you through:
- Choose: First device (upload) or Add to existing sync (download)
- Enter your GitHub sync repo URL
- Name your device
- Select files to sync
- Configure sync interval
Manual Installation
# 1. Clone skill
git clone https://github.com/RegulusZ/multi-device-sync-github.git ~/openclaw-skills/multi-device-sync-github
# 2. Clone/create sync repo
git clone git@github.com:YOURNAME/openclaw_sync.git ~/openclaw-sync
# 3. Initialize
cd ~/openclaw-sync
~/openclaw-skills/multi-device-sync-github/scripts/sync-init.sh \
--device-name mydevice \
--repo-url "git@github.com:YOURNAME/openclaw_sync.git"
# 4. Start daemon
~/openclaw-skills/multi-device-sync-github/scripts/sync-daemon.sh start
How It Works
Symlink Architecture
The skill creates symlinks from your workspace to the sync repo:
~/.openclaw/workspace/
├── USER.md → ~/openclaw-sync/USER.md (symlink)
├── MEMORY.md → ~/openclaw-sync/MEMORY.md (symlink)
├── SOUL.md → ~/openclaw-sync/SOUL.md (symlink)
├── skills/ → ~/openclaw-sync/skills/ (symlink)
└── memory/ → ~/openclaw-sync/memory/ (symlink)
When you edit a file in workspace, you're actually editing the sync repo file.
Auto-Push Flow
File changed in workspace
↓ (symlink)
File changed in sync repo
↓ (inotifywait/fswatch)
Wait 2 seconds (debounce)
↓
git add -A && git commit && git push
Periodic Pull
Every N minutes (configurable), the daemon pulls remote changes.
Configuration
Edit ~/.config/openclaw/sync-config.yaml:
repo_url: "git@github.com:YOURNAME/openclaw_sync.git"
sync_interval_minutes: 5
device_name: "ubuntu"
conflict_strategy: "notify"
auto_pull_on_start: true
auto_push_enabled: true
paths:
sync:
- "USER.md"
- "MEMORY.md"
- "SOUL.md"
- "skills/"
- "memory/"
ignore:
- "logs/"
- "temp/"
- "*.log"
Syncable Files
| File | Description | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
USER.md |
User profile (name, timezone, background) | ✅ Yes |
MEMORY.md |
Long-term memory and important context | ✅ Yes |
SOUL.md |
AI behavior rules and guidelines | ✅ Yes |
skills/ |
Installed skills and capabilities | ✅ Yes |
memory/ |
Daily logs and session records | ✅ Yes |
TOOLS.md |
Local tool notes and configurations | Optional |
IDENTITY.md |
AI identity (name, vibe, emoji) | Optional (different per device) |
File Naming Convention
Memory files use device prefix to avoid conflicts:
memory/
├── ubuntu-2026-03-01.md # Ubuntu device
├── macmini-2026-03-01.md # Mac Mini device
└── laptop-2026-03-01.md # Laptop device
Shared files (no prefix):
USER.mdMEMORY.mdSOUL.md
Commands
| Command | Description |
|---|---|
sync-init |
Initialize git repo and config |
sync-status |
Check sync status |
sync-now |
Immediate pull + push |
sync-pull |
Manual pull |
sync-push |
Manual push |
sync-resolve |
Interactive conflict resolution |
sync-daemon.sh start/stop/restart/status |
Manage background sync |
Conflict Resolution
When conflicts detected:
- Sync paused automatically
- Run
sync-resolveto:- View conflicting files
- Choose: keep-local / keep-remote / merge-manual / view-diff
- Resume sync after resolution
Adding New Device
Option A: Interactive
curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/RegulusZ/multi-device-sync-github/main/install.sh | bash
# Select "Add to existing sync"
Option B: Manual
git clone git@github.com:YOURNAME/openclaw_sync.git ~/openclaw-sync
cd ~/openclaw-sync
~/openclaw-skills/multi-device-sync-github/scripts/sync-init.sh \
--device-name NEWNAME \
--repo-url "git@github.com:YOURNAME/openclaw_sync.git"
~/openclaw-skills/multi-device-sync-github/scripts/sync-daemon.sh start
Troubleshooting
See references/troubleshooting.md for common issues.
Security Note
Use a private GitHub repository to protect your personal data.
The following files may contain sensitive information:
MEMORY.md- May include IP addresses, service URLsmemory/- Daily logs with potentially sensitive details
Files in This Skill
multi-device-sync-github/
├── SKILL.md # This file
├── README.md # GitHub README
├── LICENSE # MIT License
├── install.sh # Interactive installer
├── _meta.json # ClawHub metadata
├── scripts/
│ ├── sync-init.sh # Initialize sync repo
│ ├── sync-daemon.sh # Background sync (pull + push watcher)
│ ├── sync-push.sh # Push changes to remote
│ ├── sync-pull.sh # Pull changes from remote
│ ├── sync-status.sh # Show sync status
│ ├── sync-now.sh # Immediate sync
│ ├── sync-resolve.sh # Conflict resolution
│ └── sync-notify # Notification helper
└── references/
└── troubleshooting.md # Common issues
License
MIT License - See LICENSE for details.
Security & Safety
Default Settings (Safe by Default)
- Auto-push disabled:
auto_push_enabled: falseby default - Confirmation prompts: Destructive operations require user confirmation
- Selective git operations: Only configured files are committed
Installation Safety
Recommended (Safest):
git clone https://github.com/RegulusZ/multi-device-sync-github.git
cd multi-device-sync-github
./install.sh
Convenience (Review First):
# Download and review before executing
curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/RegulusZ/multi-device-sync-github/main/install.sh -o install.sh
cat install.sh # Review the code
./install.sh
Data Protection
- Automatic backups: Files are backed up before replacement
- No external endpoints: Notifications are local-only
- User control: All operations can be reviewed before execution
Permissions
The skill requires:
- Read/write access to
~/.openclaw/workspace/ - Git push access to your sync repository
- No network access beyond GitHub
Enabling Auto-Push
After reviewing the behavior, enable auto-push:
# Edit config
nano ~/.config/openclaw/sync-config.yaml
# Change:
auto_push_enabled: true
Security & Safety
Default Settings (Safe by Default)
- Auto-push disabled:
auto_push_enabled: falseby default - Confirmation prompts: Destructive operations require user confirmation
- Selective git operations: Only configured files are committed
Installation Safety
Recommended (Safest):
git clone https://github.com/RegulusZ/multi-device-sync-github.git
cd multi-device-sync-github
./install.sh
Convenience (Review First):
curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/RegulusZ/multi-device-sync-github/main/install.sh -o install.sh
cat install.sh # Review before executing
./install.sh
Data Protection
- Automatic backups: Files backed up before replacement
- No external endpoints: Notifications are local-only
- User control: All operations can be reviewed before execution
Enabling Auto-Push
After reviewing behavior, enable in config:
auto_push_enabled: true