Question:

In the event of file version conflicts, could you elucidate on Syncthing’s resolution protocol?

Answer:

: When two devices modify the same file before syncing, Syncthing identifies a conflict. It compares file contents, not just modification times, to detect differences.

Conflict File Creation

: The older version of the file is renamed with a conflict tag, which includes `.sync-conflict-`, a timestamp, and the device ID. For instance, `document.txt` becomes `document.txt.sync-conflict-20240322-053619-DEVICEID.txt`.

User Intervention

: The renamed conflict file is synced across all devices, alerting users to the issue. Users can then manually resolve the conflict by choosing which version to keep or merging changes.

Manual Resolution

: Users can compare the conflicting files and decide on the resolution. They may merge changes manually or use tools like `git merge-file` for a three-way merge.

Avoiding Conflicts

: To minimize conflicts, users should sync devices regularly and avoid simultaneous edits on multiple devices.

Versioning

: Syncthing offers a versioning feature that keeps older file versions when changes are made, providing a backup for conflict resolution.

While Syncthing automates conflict detection and tagging, the actual resolution process requires user intervention. This ensures that users maintain control over their files and can make informed decisions about how to handle conflicts. For those seeking automated conflict resolution, third-party scripts or tools can be integrated with Syncthing to facilitate this process.