rclone-sync

SKILL.md

---
name: rclone-sync
description: "Sync files between local directories and Google Drive using rclone. Provides bidirectional sync, copy, move, and backup operations. Use for transferring files between local and cloud, syncing directories, or managing cloud storage. Keywords: rclone, sync, backup, Google Drive, cloud storage, transfer files, gdrive, copy to drive."
metadata:
  polly:
    auth:
      - env: RCLONE_DRIVE_TOKEN
        type: oauth2
        integration_id: google-drive
        description: Google Drive access for rclone
    primaryEnv: RCLONE_DRIVE_TOKEN
---

# Rclone Sync Skill

Manage file transfers between local directories and Google Drive using rclone.

## Authentication Setup

This skill requires Google Drive OAuth. Run:

```bash
manage_auth(action="connect", integration_id="google-drive")
```

Once connected, the `RCLONE_DRIVE_TOKEN` environment variable will be populated with OAuth credentials.

## Quick Start

The `rclone-gdrive.sh` wrapper automatically configures rclone using the OAuth token.

```bash
# Set up alias
alias gdrive='~/skills/user/rclone-sync/scripts/rclone-gdrive.sh'

# List Drive contents
gdrive ls gdrive:

# Copy file to Drive
gdrive copy ./file.txt "gdrive:/folder/"

# Sync local folder TO Drive
gdrive sync ./folder "gdrive:/backup/"
```

## Core Operations

### List Files
```bash
# List files in folder
gdrive ls "gdrive:/My Folder/"

# List directories only
gdrive lsd gdrive:
```

### Copy Files
```bash
# Upload single file
gdrive copy ./report.pdf "gdrive:/Documents/"

# Upload directory (recursive)
gdrive copy ./photos "gdrive:/Photos/" --recursive --progress

# Download file
gdrive copy "gdrive:/Documents/report.pdf" ./
```

### Sync (Important: Read First!)

**Sync makes the destination MATCH the source.** Files in destination not in source will be DELETED.

```bash
# Dry run first
gdrive sync ./folder "gdrive:/backup/" --dry-run

# Then actually sync
gdrive sync ./folder "gdrive:/backup/"
```

### Move and Stream
```bash
# Move file to Drive (removes local)
gdrive move ./file.txt "gdrive:/folder/"

# Upload from stdin
cat file.html | gdrive rcat "gdrive:/polly/file.html"

# View file contents
gdrive cat "gdrive:/document.txt"
```

### Storage Management
```bash
# Check storage usage
gdrive size gdrive:

# Find duplicates
gdrive dedupe "gdrive:/Photos" --dedupe-mode oldest

# Empty trash
gdrive cleanup gdrive:
```

## Filters and Options

```bash
# Exclude specific files
gdrive sync ./folder "gdrive:/backup/" --exclude ".git/**" --exclude "node_modules/**"

# Bandwidth limit
gdrive sync ./folder "gdrive:/backup/" --bwlimit 1M

# Show progress
gdrive copy ./large-file.zip "gdrive:/" --progress
```

## Reference Files

- [references/commands.md](references/commands.md) - Full command reference