rsync Command Builder
Build correct rsync commands from a visual UI — local, push, and pull direction, trailing-slash visualizer (src/ copies contents vs src copies the dir), archive -a, verbose -v, compress -z, human -h, progress --progress, --delete (guarded with dry-run nudge), --delete-excluded, --exclude / --exclude-from, --partial, --bwlimit, --checksum, --numeric-ids, SSH transport (-e 'ssh -i key -p port'), preserve-detail breakdown of -a as -rlptgoD. Per-flag plain-English explanation, recipe library, history (max 20), shareable URL. 100% client-side — commands are generated, never executed.
About rsync Command Builder
Build correct rsync commands from a visual UI — local, push, and pull direction, trailing-slash visualizer (src/ copies contents vs src copies the dir), archive -a, verbose -v, compress -z, human -h, progress --progress, --delete (guarded with dry-run nudge), --delete-excluded, --exclude / --exclude-from, --partial, --bwlimit, --checksum, --numeric-ids, SSH transport (-e 'ssh -i key -p port'), preserve-detail breakdown of -a as -rlptgoD. Per-flag plain-English explanation, recipe library, history (max 20), shareable URL. 100% client-side — commands are generated, never executed. Everything runs locally in your browser — your data never leaves your device.
How to use
- Enter your input in the tool above.
- Adjust any options to your preference.
- Use the Copy or Download buttons to save the result.
- Everything happens locally — your data never leaves your browser.
FAQ
Why does the trailing slash on the source matter so much in rsync?
It is the #1 rsync footgun. `rsync -a src/ dest/` copies the CONTENTS of src/ into dest/ (so dest/file.txt). `rsync -a src dest/` (no trailing slash) copies the src DIRECTORY itself into dest/ (so dest/src/file.txt). The trailing slash on the DESTINATION is generally irrelevant. This builder visualizes exactly what lands where for both source variants so you can verify before you run.
How does this builder handle the dangerous --delete flag?
rsync --delete removes files in the destination that no longer exist in the source — it is genuinely dangerous and a frequent cause of data loss. The builder always recommends --dry-run alongside --delete (a red badge + nudge), warns when --delete is enabled without --dry-run, and shows a tip about --delete-excluded (which also deletes excluded files in dest, even more dangerous). The default archive mode (-a) preserves perms, times, ownership, symlinks, devices; --delete only adds removal of missing files.
How do I sync over SSH with a custom key and port?
Use -e 'ssh -i ~/.ssh/key -p 2222' (single-quoted so the inner flags are passed to ssh verbatim). For a push: `rsync -avz -e 'ssh -i ~/.ssh/key -p 2222' ./local/ user@host:/remote/path/`. For a pull, swap source and destination: `rsync -avz -e 'ssh -i ~/.ssh/key -p 2222' user@host:/remote/path/ ./local/`. The builder builds the -e string for you from the SSH key, port, and extra ssh options fields.
What does -a (archive mode) actually do?
-a is shorthand for -rlptgoD: r=recursive, l=symlinks (copy as symlinks), p=permissions, t=times (mtime), g=group, o=owner (needs root), D=devices+specials (needs root). It does NOT include -H (hard links), -A (ACLs), -X (xattrs), or -z (compression). The builder's explanation panel breaks down each sub-flag so you know exactly what -a buys you and what you might want to add.
What extra features does this tool have?
(1) Direction selector — local, push (local→remote), pull (remote→local). (2) Trailing-slash visualizer showing what lands where. (3) 9 toggle flags — archive, verbose, compress, human-readable, progress, partial, checksum, numeric-ids, dry-run. (4) --delete and --delete-excluded (guarded, with dry-run nudge). (5) Excludes list + --exclude-from file. (6) Bandwidth limit (--bwlimit KB/s). (7) SSH transport builder — key, port, extra ssh options. (8) Preserve-detail breakdown of -a as -rlptgoD. (9) Per-flag plain-English explanation. (10) Recipe library (10 common one-liners). (11) Shell-quoting of paths and SSH strings. (12) Copy command + download. (13) localStorage history (max 20). (14) Shareable URL with embedded config. 100% client-side — commands are generated, never executed.
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