Getting Started with Cloud Sync

This guide will walk you through setting up cloud sync for the first time and help you understand the key configuration options.

Prerequisites

• VertiTab Premium subscription (cloud sync is a premium feature)
• Stable internet connection
• Chrome or compatible browser with VertiTab installed

Initial Setup

Step 1: Access Sync Settings

1. Open VertiTab by clicking the extension icon
2. Navigate to Settings (gear icon in the bottom navigation)
3. Look for "Sync Settings" in the settings menu
4. You'll see a banner indicating this is a premium feature

Step 2: Set Up Encryption Password

For maximum security, VertiTab encrypts all your data before it leaves your device:

1. Set Local Password: Choose a strong password (minimum 6 characters with numbers and letters)

   • This password encrypts your data locally
   • Important: This password is never sent to our servers
   • Critical: You must use the same password on all devices to sync properly
   • Remember: If you forget this password, you cannot decrypt your synced data

2. Use Default Encryption (Alternative): If you don't want to manage a password, you can use default encryption

   • Less secure but more convenient
   • Still provides basic encryption protection

Step 3: Configure Device Information

1. Device Name: Set a recognizable name for this device (e.g., "Work Laptop", "Home PC")

   • Helps identify which device is which in sync status
   • Can be changed later if needed

2. Device ID: Automatically generated unique identifier

   • Used internally for sync coordination
   • Cannot be changed

Step 4: Choose Sync Mode

Select how this device should participate in synchronization:

• Stay Synchronized (Recommended): Two-way sync keeps this device updated with all others
• Upload Only: This device only sends data to the cloud (useful for primary devices)
• Download Only: This device only receives data from the cloud (useful for secondary devices)
• Disabled: No synchronization (can be enabled later)

Step 5: Select Data Types to Sync

Choose which types of data you want to synchronize:

Essential Data (Recommended)

• Extension Settings: Theme, preferences, and all extension configurations
• Site Configurations: Custom settings for specific websites
• Quick Access: Your bookmarked and frequently accessed items

Browsing Data

• Recent Closed Tabs: History of recently closed tabs
• Window Tabs and Groups: Currently open tabs and their organization
• Tab Snapshots: Saved collections of tabs

Advanced Options (Per Data Type)

Each data type has additional configuration options:

• Sync delay: How long to wait before syncing changes (prevents excessive updates)
• Special behaviors: Data-specific options like what to do after restoring tabs

First Sync

Triggering Your First Sync

1. After completing setup, click "Sync Now" to perform your first synchronization
2. Monitor the status indicators:
   • Upload Status: Shows if your data was successfully uploaded
   • Download Status: Shows if data was successfully downloaded
   • Last Sync Time: Displays when the last sync occurred

What Happens During First Sync

1. Data Collection: VertiTab gathers all selected data types
2. Encryption: Data is encrypted using your password/default encryption
3. Upload: Encrypted data is sent to secure cloud servers
4. Confirmation: You'll see success/failure indicators for each operation

Setting Up Additional Devices

On Your Second Device

1. Install VertiTab and activate premium features
2. Follow the same setup process (Steps 1-4 above)
3. Critical: Use the exact same encryption password as your first device
4. Choose appropriate sync mode (usually "Stay Synchronized")
5. Select the same data types you want to keep in sync

First Sync on New Device

1. Click "Sync Now" to download existing data
2. Choose how to apply the downloaded data:
   • Append Mode: Add synced tabs to current window (if you have few tabs open)
   • New Window: Open synced tabs in a new window
   • Replace Mode: Close current tabs and open synced tabs
   • Create Snapshot: Save synced tabs as a new snapshot for later use

Sync Status Monitoring

Understanding Status Indicators

• Green checkmark: Operation completed successfully
• Red X: Operation failed (check your internet connection)
• Clock icon: Sync has never been performed
• Loading spinner: Sync is currently in progress

Sync Timing

Different data types sync at different intervals:

• Settings/Site Configs/Quick Access: 5 seconds after changes
• Recent Closed Tabs: 60 seconds after changes
• Window Tabs: 60 seconds after changes
• Snapshots: 30 seconds after changes

Troubleshooting Common Issues

"Sync Failed" Errors

1. Check Internet Connection: Ensure you have a stable connection
2. Verify Password: Make sure you're using the same encryption password on all devices
3. Try Manual Sync: Click "Sync Now" to retry the operation
4. Check Premium Status: Confirm your premium subscription is active

"No Data Found" on New Device

1. Verify First Device: Ensure your primary device has successfully uploaded data
2. Check Data Types: Make sure the same data types are enabled on both devices
3. Password Mismatch: Different encryption passwords will cause this issue

Sync Takes Too Long

1. Large Data Sets: Initial sync of many tabs/snapshots can take time
2. Network Speed: Slow connections will increase sync time
3. Multiple Changes: Wait for current sync to complete before making more changes

Best Practices

Password Management

• Use a memorable but strong password
• Write down your encryption password in a secure location
• Consider using a password manager

Device Management

• Use descriptive device names
• Regularly check sync status on all devices
• Remove old devices if you stop using them

Data Management

• Regularly review which data types you need to sync
• Clear old snapshots and closed tabs periodically to reduce sync time
• Use the "Skip last window close" option to preserve tabs when shutting down

Next Steps

Once you have cloud sync working:

1. Explore the Configuration section for advanced options
2. Set up additional devices as needed
3. Customize sync timing and behaviors for your workflow
4. Monitor sync status regularly to ensure everything is working properly

For detailed configuration options, see the Sync Configuration guide.