Add folder sync connection (folder located on computer somewhere else, outside of opencloud)

[tr1plus]

In Nextcloud, the windows client has the option to select any folder from the filesystem and have it synced as part of it's syncing mechanism. This is especially useful for syncing directories of programs/tools where you are unable to choose their install/appdata location.

Is this possible in opencloud, or is there any feature request open for this that I may have missed?

Thanks!

[micbar]

@dragotin @TheOneRing

[TheOneRing]

Hi @tr1plus we don't support that, and we don't plan to change that.
A workaround can be found here https://docs.opencloud.eu/docs/user/common-issues#solution

[sansbyte]

Hi @tr1plus we don't support that, and we don't plan to change that.

Bummer. I setup the server fully intending to switch away from Seafile and only discovered this limitation after installing the desktop and Android apps. The suggested workaround is not a viable solution for my use case. Anyways, nice project. I hope you reconsider this decision someday.

[micbar]

@sansbyte we tried using symlinks in the past, it does not work reliably.

[sansbyte]

@micbar I'm confused by your response. The suggested official workaround is to use symlinks, but you say it does not work reliably. If I'm misunderstanding you, please let me know. What I would like, and I think @tr1plus too, is the ability to select any folder on the client (via the desktop app) to sync, not just what's in the sync root.

[micbar]

@TheOneRing @dragotin ?

[TheOneRing]

No

[tr1plus]

Indeed - that is my hope. It's not super critical for me, but would give me some more freesom

…

On Tue, 14 Oct 2025, 15:07 sansbyte, ***@***.***> wrote: @micbar <https://github.com/micbar> I'm confused by your response. The suggested official workaround is to use symlinks, but you say it does not work reliably. If I'm misunderstanding you, please let me know. What I would like, and I think @tr1plus <https://github.com/tr1plus> too, is the ability to select any folder on the client (via the desktop app) to sync, not just what's in the sync root. — Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub <#1426 (reply in thread)>, or unsubscribe <https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/ABVX54UR4UM4PSNFON7LAMD3XTYSVAVCNFSM6AAAAACFIJI37CVHI2DSMVQWIX3LMV43URDJONRXK43TNFXW4Q3PNVWWK3TUHMYTINRXGYYTANQ> . You are receiving this because you were mentioned.Message ID: ***@***.*** com>

[dragotin]

Remember that we have a different concept than NC. We do not have the sync connections, but the Spaces.

Our experience has shown that users often get lost with randomly spread sync connections all over the desktop machine. That was our motivation to concentrate all space syncs in one directory which btw can be freely placed.

[Vlayke]

That is fair.

But there could be some middle ground? Default setup, which would probably work for most users and would be as it is now, or advanced one, which would give you more flexibility.

Because what OneDrive is currently saying is: "everything should fit into our structure and users should change all their habits (including how they install apps sometimes) to be able to use the product". That is extremely limiting.

I tremendously respect what you're doing. I tried out your solution, hoping it will be a lightweight self-hosted replacement for MS OneDrive or for NextCloud. But this stops me in my track, since I can't use it for things that already exist in my different environments.

I'll keep an eye on you and hope this decision changes over time.

[mynameiscfed]

The blatant disregard here for supporting real world use cases is just ridiculous.

[Vlayke]

It's their product and their rules. They're doing it in the way they envisioned and providing it to us for free. So, I don't think that being that upset with them is a valid reaction (but I'm also not trying to say how you should be feeling :-)). That's why other projects exist and that's the beauty of the FOSS scene. But at the same time constructive criticism is important so that developers can have it in mind if they decide to get closer to a wider user-base.
I wish them all the luck and will keep looking for something that's better suited for me.

[Wanni48]

Symlinks work only from other directories to opencloud folder, not the other way around - if I correctly understand it. So means other apps need to be able to work with symlinks to access the files in opencloud folder - while opencloud is not able to do so.

So yes, would be perfect to be able to select any folder to sync. I'm coming from seafile and this is one of the key features I like - and makes live easier for temporary sharing.