Claude Code project context sync and backup

Shell functions for syncing Claude Code project context across machines, with local backups.

Syncing contexts between machines

cc-sync rsyncs a context directory in ~/.claude/projects from a remote machine to the local machine. It derives context directory names from the current working directory, accounting for OS home directory path differences.

For example, ~/code/catbutt will have context at

• ~/.claude/projects/-home-wesley-code-catbutt on Linux and
• ~/.claude/projects/-Users-wesley-code-catbutt on macOS.

If the relative path is the same on both machines, only the host is needed:

~/code/catbutt$ cc-sync xicamatl

A remote path is necessary when the relative directory differs:

~/code/catbutt$ cc-sync xicamatl:projects/catbutt

To retrieve the context of a renamed project:

~/code/cul-de-chat$ cc-sync localhost:code/catbutt

By default (rsync and therefore) cc-sync is additive, consolidating context across machines. Use --delete to make local match remote exactly.

A backup of the local context directory is created before syncing, except with --dry-run.

Functions

• cc-sync [rsync-options] <host[:path]>

  • Wraps rsync -av with passthrough of recognized rsync options:
    • --dry-run, -n: preview what would be transferred
    • --delete: remove local context not present on remote
    • -z, --compress: compress data during transfer
  • Context directories determined with tilde expansions of CWD relative to ~/
  • Assumes same relative path on remote unless :path is specified.

• cc-backup

  • Creates a context backup for current working directory
  • Stored in ~/.claude/backups/projects/ as {context-dir}_{timestamp}.tar.gz

• cc-restore

  • Restores the most recent backup for current working directory

• cc-pop

  • Restores the most recent backup for current working directory
  • Deletes the backup file after restoration

Requirements

• Claude Code (~/.claude/projects/ directory must exist)
• Read/write access to ~/.claude/projects/ and ~/.claude/backups/projects/

For cc-sync

• Passwordless SSH access to remote machine
• rsync installed on both machines

Setup

• Source claude-context.sh path in .zshrc or .bashrc etc.)