Mind Sync
onemind Mind Sync delivers a team's approved instructions to each AI tool's working folder on your Mac. Set a Mind to Manual to apply only when you choose, or to Automatic to apply approved updates without additional steps.
- Select an approved Mind and choose Sync.
- Check its Project, AI tool, and device. Bind the Project folder on that Mac if the panel asks for it.
- Choose Manual to apply only with Sync now, or Automatic to apply approved updates. Wait for the mode save to finish.
- Choose Sync now and wait for the confirmed result. Sync requested or pending means the device still needs to apply and report the result.
- Start a fresh task in that AI tool from the bound folder. Ask it to identify the applicable onemind guidance and exercise one relevant rule in a real task.
Native Project sync maintains a small, stable user-wide bootstrap and writes the approved content into the exact Project folder. For Codex these are ~/.codex/AGENTS.md and <project>/AGENTS.md. The bootstrap points to the Project's instructions and approved file receipt; it does not copy Project content into your global instructions. Other tools use their registered native paths. onemind preserves content outside its managed sections and requires backup and check evidence before applying changes.
Sync targets
The Sync panel lists every AI tool that is connected and has a bound Project folder on the current Mac. Each row shows the tool name, device, and current sync mode. Choose Automatic to apply approved updates whenever the Mind is updated, or Manual to apply only when you choose Sync now. In Manumatic or Automatic automation mode, a newly bound folder, a newly connected AI tool, and a newly created Mind start as Automatic; a row you set to Manual stays manual.
When a Mind has multiple connected AI tools for the same Project, choosing Sync now applies to all eligible bindings in one batch. After all tools have been attempted, the panel shows a summary such as "Sync results: 2 synced · 1 queued · 0 failed · 0 unavailable."
A Mind that includes Project content can only be synced to that Project's bound folder. Attempting to sync it to a different folder will fail with a Project-target error.
CLI users can run onemind sync and onemind status after activating their Project target. The CLI supports three sync modes: auto (applies every approved update in the background), manual (syncs only when you run onemind sync), and disabled (skips background reconciliation; explicit analysis still runs independently). Fresh-session cryptographic proof requires an explicit authenticated host adapter; onemind does not bundle one for every vendor.
The per-Mind Manual and Automatic toggle governs when a specific Mind's approved updates reach your Mac. A separate account-level Automation mode in Settings > Preferences controls whether onemind initiates tool connections and whether approved Minds reach newly bound folders without a per-Mind choice; only administrators can choose Automatic. See Notifications and settings for the three options.
Sync setup
Before a Mind can sync to a new AI tool binding, the sync setup must be completed. Open the Sync panel and choose Finish Sync Setup when prompted. Setup writes the bootstrap files and establishes the binding.
If setup cannot complete safely, the panel shows: "Mind Sync Setup could not be completed safely. Review AI tool Sync Setup and try again." If another conflicting setup already exists for this target, the panel shows: "This target has a conflicting Sync Setup. Review AI tool Sync Setup before using this Mind." Resolve the conflict by reviewing the AI tool's Sync Setup on that Mac before using the Mind.
If a Project folder needs reconnecting after a macOS app update, use Settings > Storage to recover folder links while keeping credentials, drafts, bindings, backups, and Project files intact.
When a sync fails
After a failed sync, read the error notice in the Sync panel and follow the steps for that error:
| What you see | What to do |
|---|---|
| Offline | Open onemind on that Mac, sign in if needed, and reconnect the tool. |
| No bound Project folder | Bind the exact folder in the macOS app. |
| Pending / Sync requested | Keep the Mac available and use Refresh status; this reloads evidence without replaying the write. |
| Setup or file conflict — setup could not complete | Review AI tool Sync Setup on that Mac and retry. |
| Setup or file conflict — conflicting setup exists | Review Sync Setup and resolve the conflict before using this Mind. |
| File conflict with another setup | The destination has an AI tool file managed by a different setup. Resolve that file conflict on the Mac before syncing again. |
| CLAUDE.md import conflict | Creating CLAUDE.md could change which shared instructions Claude loads. Configure this Project's CLAUDE.md and its intended imports on that Mac, then sync again. |
| Local write failed | onemind could not safely finish writing the AI tool files. Check the bound folder and local files before trying again. |
| Backup failed | onemind could not create the backup that protects this sync, so nothing was changed. Check Backup and try again. |
| Request rejected | The sync service declined this request because its authorization changed. Try Sync again. |
| Project-target mismatch | This Mind includes Project content and can only be synced to that Project's bound folder. |
| Device busy | Another sync is still writing to this AI tool. Wait a moment and try again. |
| Reconnect required | This AI tool's connection or Sync Setup on that Mac is out of date. Reconnect the AI tool, then try again. |
| Synced | Delivery was confirmed. Verify the guidance in a fresh AI task; delivery alone does not prove the tool used it correctly. |
For team-wide sync history and status across all devices, open the Sync section in the side drawer. See Sync activity for details.