> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.workshop.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Web ↔ Desktop Sync

> Sync project files between Workshop Cloud and Workshop Desktop so you can work on the same project from either environment.

Workshop Cloud and Workshop Desktop can sync project files directly, without a separate GitHub repository. This lets you start a project on the web, continue on desktop, and push changes back — or the other way around.

<Info>
  Web ↔ Desktop Sync is separate from [GitHub Integration](/workshop-desktop/github-integration). GitHub sync connects your project to your own repository for version control and collaboration. Web ↔ Desktop Sync moves files between Workshop's two environments — no GitHub account required.
</Info>

## How It Works

Push and pull to move your project files between Workshop Cloud and Workshop Desktop:

| Action                | What happens                                                             |
| --------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| **Push from Desktop** | Sends your local project files to Workshop Cloud                         |
| **Pull to Desktop**   | Downloads the latest files from Workshop Cloud into your local project   |
| **Push from Cloud**   | Sends your cloud project files to Workshop Desktop                       |
| **Pull to Cloud**     | Downloads the latest files from Workshop Desktop into your cloud project |

Syncing is manual — you decide when to push and pull. Nothing happens automatically.

## Getting Started

### Starting from Workshop Cloud

<Steps>
  <Step title="Create and build a project in Workshop Cloud">
    Build your project on the web as usual. Your files are stored in the cloud workspace.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Push to sync">
    Open the project settings and click **Push** in the **Web ↔ Desktop Sync** section. This sends your project files so Desktop can download them.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Download on Desktop">
    In Workshop Desktop, go to the **Projects** page. Cloud projects that haven't been downloaded yet appear at the top. Click the **download** button to pull the project files to your machine.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Continue building">
    Your project is now on Desktop with all its files. Push and pull as needed to keep both sides up to date.
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Starting from Workshop Desktop

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the project settings on Desktop">
    Navigate to your project and open the settings panel. The **Web ↔ Desktop Sync** section appears under **Integrations**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Push to sync">
    Click the **Push to web** button (up arrow). This sends your local project files so Workshop Cloud can access them.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open in Workshop Cloud">
    Sign in to Workshop Cloud with the same account. Your project appears in the project list. Open it and pull the latest changes.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Using the Sync Controls

The **Web ↔ Desktop Sync** section appears in the project settings panel under **Integrations**. It shows:

* The last push and pull timestamps
* Sync status (when refreshed)
* Three action buttons:

| Button         | Action                                     |
| -------------- | ------------------------------------------ |
| **Up arrow**   | Push your changes to the other environment |
| **Down arrow** | Pull changes from the other environment    |
| **Refresh**    | Check the current sync status              |

### Sync Status

After clicking **Refresh**, the status indicator shows:

| Status           | Meaning                                       |
| ---------------- | --------------------------------------------- |
| **In sync**      | Both sides have the same files                |
| **Local ahead**  | You have unpushed local changes               |
| **Remote ahead** | The other side has changes you haven't pulled |
| **Diverged**     | Both sides have independent changes           |

## Handling Conflicts

If both Workshop Cloud and Desktop have made independent changes to the same project, a pull may result in a merge conflict. Workshop detects this and prompts you:

* **Force pull** overwrites your local files with the other side's version. Workshop asks for confirmation before proceeding.

<Warning>
  Force pull is a destructive operation. The overwritten local changes cannot be recovered. Make sure you know which version you want to keep before confirming.
</Warning>

## Web ↔ Desktop Sync vs GitHub Integration

Both features sync project files, but they serve different purposes:

|                             | Web ↔ Desktop Sync                              | GitHub Integration                        |
| --------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------- |
| **Purpose**                 | Move files between Workshop Cloud and Desktop   | Version control with your own GitHub repo |
| **GitHub account required** | No                                              | Yes                                       |
| **Collaboration**           | Between your own Cloud and Desktop environments | With anyone who has access to the repo    |
| **Use together**            | Yes — both can be active on the same project    | Yes                                       |