What does the trailing slash on the source change?

For directory sources, a trailing slash copies the contents into the destination. Without it, the named source directory is copied under the destination. This builder controls that slash explicitly and always gives the destination a trailing slash so it is treated as a directory.

Does dry-run avoid connecting to the remote server?

No. When you run it, a dry-run can connect and authenticate over SSH and read file metadata to calculate changes. It does not perform the normal file transfer or destination deletions. The website itself does not connect or run anything.

What does --delete remove?

It removes destination-only entries in directories being synchronized. Excluded entries are normally protected because this builder does not generate --delete-excluded. A wrong source, destination, or missing mount can still cause unintended deletion. Review itemized dry-run output first.

What are the SSH-mode requirements?

rsync 3.0 or later must be available on both sides, along with working SSH access. The generated -s option protects remote arguments from shell reinterpretation. This builder accepts hostnames or IPv4, absolute remote paths, and a restricted local identity-file path; not IPv6 hosts, daemon mode, or remote-to-remote transfers.

Are the directory paths or SSH details stored?

The tool generates commands locally without saving or uploading its inputs. It does not inspect the filesystem, validate credentials, or read an SSH key file. Enter only the identity file path, never its private-key contents.

rsync Command Builder

Runs locally; inputs are not uploaded or saved. Builds directory-transfer commands for rsync on a POSIX shell. It does not connect to SSH, inspect files, or transfer anything.

Transfer direction

Local source directory Local destination directory

Copy directory contents (add a trailing / to the source)

rsync exclude patterns (optional, one per line) Bandwidth limit in KiB/s (optional)

Dry-run: show changes without transferring Compress transferred data Compare checksums (extra disk I/O) Delete destination-only entries (--delete)

Use /absolute or ./relative directory paths, without .. segments, wildcards, or tilde expansion. Source and destination are separate fields; do not paste user@host:path into either. The destination is always treated as a directory. Nothing here checks symlinks, overlapping trees, or missing mounts.

Command

Generated rsync command

Dry-run first

Preview command (always includes --dry-run)

A dry-run still reads local paths and may connect and authenticate over SSH when you run it. Inspect its itemized output, including any *deleting entries. A later real run can differ if the filesystem changes.

Learn

rsync Command Builder Guide

About this tool

Generate local, SSH upload, and SSH download commands for directory transfers. Dry-run is enabled initially. The builder explains source trailing slashes, exclude patterns, archive mode, compression, checksums, bandwidth limits, and destination deletion. Real –delete commands require an acknowledgement that is reset whenever settings change.

Questions

What does the trailing slash on the source change?: For directory sources, a trailing slash copies the contents into the destination. Without it, the named source directory is copied under the destination. This builder controls that slash explicitly and always gives the destination a trailing slash so it is treated as a directory.
Does dry-run avoid connecting to the remote server?: No. When you run it, a dry-run can connect and authenticate over SSH and read file metadata to calculate changes. It does not perform the normal file transfer or destination deletions. The website itself does not connect or run anything.
What does --delete remove?: It removes destination-only entries in directories being synchronized. Excluded entries are normally protected because this builder does not generate –delete-excluded. A wrong source, destination, or missing mount can still cause unintended deletion. Review itemized dry-run output first.
What are the SSH-mode requirements?: rsync 3.0 or later must be available on both sides, along with working SSH access. The generated -s option protects remote arguments from shell reinterpretation. This builder accepts hostnames or IPv4, absolute remote paths, and a restricted local identity-file path; not IPv6 hosts, daemon mode, or remote-to-remote transfers.
Are the directory paths or SSH details stored?: The tool generates commands locally without saving or uploading its inputs. It does not inspect the filesystem, validate credentials, or read an SSH key file. Enter only the identity file path, never its private-key contents.