How To Install Syncthing on Manjaro

Syncthing represents a paradigm shift in file synchronization technology, offering users a decentralized, secure, and cross-platform solution for keeping files synchronized across multiple devices. Unlike traditional cloud storage services that rely on centralized servers, Syncthing operates on a peer-to-peer architecture that puts users in complete control of their data.

For Manjaro users, this powerful synchronization tool offers unique advantages. Manjaro’s Arch-based foundation provides access to cutting-edge software repositories, ensuring you receive the latest Syncthing updates through the rolling release model. The combination of Manjaro’s user-friendly approach and Syncthing’s robust architecture creates an ideal environment for both beginners and advanced Linux users seeking reliable file synchronization.

This comprehensive guide walks you through every aspect of installing Syncthing on Manjaro, from initial system preparation to advanced configuration techniques. Whether you’re synchronizing documents between your laptop and desktop or maintaining backups across multiple locations, mastering Syncthing installation on Manjaro will enhance your productivity and data security.

Understanding Syncthing Architecture

Core Components and Functionality

Syncthing operates through several interconnected components that work seamlessly together. The syncthing daemon serves as the core engine, running continuously in the background to monitor file changes and coordinate synchronization activities. This daemon communicates with other Syncthing instances through encrypted connections, ensuring data integrity and security.

The web interface provides an intuitive graphical frontend for managing synchronization settings, monitoring transfer progress, and configuring device relationships. Accessible through any modern web browser, this interface simplifies complex synchronization scenarios while maintaining access to advanced features.

Device IDs form the foundation of Syncthing’s security model. Each Syncthing installation generates a unique cryptographic identifier based on the device’s TLS certificate. These 52-character identifiers ensure that only authorized devices can participate in synchronization relationships, eliminating the risk of unauthorized access.

Syncthing Advantages on Manjaro

Manjaro’s Arch-based architecture provides significant advantages for Syncthing deployment. The official Arch repositories maintain current Syncthing packages, ensuring access to the latest features and security updates. This rolling release approach means your Syncthing installation stays current without manual intervention.

The Manjaro community offers extensive support resources, including comprehensive documentation, active forums, and community-contributed solutions. This collaborative environment accelerates troubleshooting and provides valuable insights for optimization and customization.

Pre-Installation Requirements and System Preparation

System Prerequisites

Before installing Syncthing on Manjaro, verify your system meets the necessary requirements. Manjaro 21.0 or newer versions provide optimal compatibility, though older versions may work with manual dependency resolution. Your system should have at least 512 MB RAM available for basic operation, with additional memory recommended for large file synchronization tasks.

Network configuration plays a crucial role in Syncthing functionality. The default configuration uses port 8384 for the web interface and port 22000 for device communication. Ensure these ports remain accessible through your firewall configuration, or prepare to configure alternative ports during setup.

Updating Your Manjaro System

System updates prevent compatibility issues and ensure optimal performance. Execute the following command to update your Manjaro installation:

sudo pacman -Syu

This command synchronizes package databases and upgrades all installed packages to their latest versions. Allow sufficient time for this process to complete, particularly on systems with numerous installed packages or slower internet connections.

Verify the update completion by checking for any error messages or failed package installations. Address any issues before proceeding with Syncthing installation to avoid complications later in the process.

Installation Methods Comparison

Available Installation Options

Manjaro offers multiple pathways for Syncthing installation, each with distinct advantages and considerations. The official repository method using pacman provides the most straightforward approach, leveraging Manjaro’s package management system for installation, updates, and removal.

Snap packages offer an alternative installation method with universal compatibility across Linux distributions. While snap packages provide isolation and dependency management benefits, they may consume additional disk space and memory compared to native packages.

AUR alternatives expand installation options through community-maintained packages, though these require additional setup steps and may involve compilation from source code.

Recommended Approach Analysis

The pacman installation method receives recommendation for most users due to its simplicity, integration with system package management, and optimal resource utilization. Native packages integrate seamlessly with Manjaro’s systemd services and follow established Linux filesystem hierarchy standards.

Snap installations suit users requiring specific version control or working in mixed-distribution environments. However, the additional overhead and complexity rarely justify this approach for standard Manjaro installations.

Method 1: Installing Syncthing via Pacman (Official Repository)

Package Installation Process

Installing Syncthing through pacman requires a single command that handles dependency resolution and package configuration automatically:

sudo pacman -S syncthing

This command downloads approximately 15-20 MB of package data, depending on your current system state and required dependencies. The installation process typically completes within 2-3 minutes on modern systems with broadband internet connections.

Monitor the installation output for any error messages or warnings. Successful installations display a completion message without error codes or failed dependency notifications.

Post-Installation Verification

Verify your Syncthing installation by checking the binary location and version information:

which syncthing
syncthing --version

The which command should return /usr/bin/syncthing, confirming proper installation in the standard binary directory. The version command displays detailed build information, including version number, build date, and compilation details.

Test basic functionality by executing syncthing with the help flag:

syncthing --help

This command displays comprehensive usage information, confirming that the installation completed successfully and the binary functions correctly.

Initial Configuration Setup

Syncthing requires initial configuration to establish device identity and prepare the working environment. Create the necessary configuration directory structure:

mkdir -p ~/.config/syncthing

The tilde notation (~) represents your home directory, ensuring configuration files remain associated with your user account. This approach maintains security isolation and prevents permission conflicts with system-wide services.

Launch Syncthing for initial configuration:

syncthing

The first execution generates cryptographic certificates, creates device identifiers, and initializes the configuration database. This process may take 30-60 seconds depending on system performance and entropy availability.

Method 2: Installing Syncthing via Snap (Alternative Method)

Snap Installation Prerequisites

Snap support requires snapd installation and service activation on Manjaro systems. Install snapd using pacman:

sudo pacman -S snapd

Enable and start the snapd service to support snap package management:

sudo systemctl enable --now snapd.socket

Create the necessary symbolic link for classic snap support:

sudo ln -s /var/lib/snapd/snap /snap

This symbolic link ensures proper snap package discovery and execution within the Manjaro environment.

Syncthing Snap Installation

Install Syncthing using the snap package manager:

sudo snap install syncthing-gael

The syncthing-gael package provides a community-maintained Syncthing distribution with additional features and optimizations. Installation downloads approximately 25-30 MB and establishes the necessary runtime environment.

Snap packages install to /snap/bin/ and integrate with the system PATH automatically. Verify installation success:

snap list syncthing-gael

Service Configuration and Management

User Service Setup (Recommended)

User-level services provide the recommended deployment method for Syncthing on desktop systems. This approach ensures Syncthing operates within your user session while maintaining proper security isolation.

Enable the user service for your account:

sudo systemctl enable syncthing@$USER.service

The $USER variable automatically substitutes your username, ensuring the service configuration targets your specific user account. This approach maintains configuration isolation and prevents permission conflicts.

Start the Syncthing service:

sudo systemctl start syncthing@$USER.service

Verify service status to confirm successful startup:

systemctl status syncthing@$USER.service

Successful service startup displays “active (running)” status with recent log entries showing normal operation.

System Service Setup (Advanced)

System-wide services suit multi-user environments or headless server deployments. This configuration requires additional security considerations and umask settings to ensure proper file permissions.

Create a dedicated syncthing user for system service operation:

sudo useradd -r -s /usr/bin/nologin syncthing

Configure the system service with appropriate user context:

sudo systemctl enable syncthing@syncthing.service
sudo systemctl start syncthing@syncthing.service

Service Troubleshooting

Common service startup issues typically involve permission problems or configuration conflicts. Examine service logs for diagnostic information:

journalctl -u syncthing@$USER.service -f

The -f flag provides real-time log monitoring, allowing observation of service behavior and error identification. Look for certificate generation errors, port binding failures, or configuration file corruption messages.

Database corruption occasionally affects service startup. Reset the configuration database:

syncthing -reset-database

This command rebuilds the internal database while preserving configuration files and device relationships.

Web Interface Setup and Initial Configuration

Accessing the Web GUI

Syncthing’s web interface provides comprehensive management capabilities through any modern web browser. Access the interface using the default URL:

http://localhost:8384/

The interface loads within 5-10 seconds on properly configured systems. Modern browsers including Firefox, Chrome, Safari, and Edge provide full compatibility with all interface features.

Cookie support enables session persistence and preference storage. Ensure your browser allows cookies for localhost connections to maintain optimal functionality.

Initial Setup Wizard

The first interface access triggers the initial setup wizard that guides you through essential configuration steps. The wizard displays your unique device ID, a 52-character identifier essential for device relationships.

Copy your device ID to a secure location for future reference. This identifier serves as your device’s cryptographic signature and enables other devices to establish synchronization relationships.

Create your first synchronized folder by clicking “Add Folder” and specifying:

• Folder Label: Descriptive name for identification
• Folder Path: Local directory for synchronization
• Folder ID: Unique identifier for this folder

Security Configuration

Default security settings prioritize functionality over strict security. Enhance security by configuring authentication for the web interface:

syncthing -gui-user=admin -gui-password=securepassword

Replace “securepassword” with a strong password containing uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. Authentication prevents unauthorized access to your Syncthing configuration.

Consider binding restrictions for enhanced security:

syncthing -gui-address=127.0.0.1:8384

This configuration restricts interface access to localhost connections only, preventing remote access attempts.

Adding Devices and Folders

Device Discovery and Connection

Device relationships form the foundation of Syncthing’s synchronization capabilities. Add remote devices by obtaining their device IDs through secure communication channels such as encrypted messaging or in-person exchange.

Navigate to “Add Remote Device” in the web interface and enter:

• Device ID: 52-character cryptographic identifier
• Device Name: Descriptive label for identification
• Address: Optional direct connection address

Device verification ensures authenticity through cryptographic certificate validation. Syncthing displays fingerprint information for manual verification when establishing new device relationships.

Folder Configuration

Folder types determine synchronization behavior and data flow direction:

• Send & Receive: Bidirectional synchronization
• Send Only: One-way transmission from this device
• Receive Only: One-way reception to this device

Configure folder sharing by selecting target devices and setting appropriate permissions. Folder permissions control which devices can access specific synchronized directories.

Advanced options include:

• Folder Master: Designates authoritative source for conflict resolution
• Ignore Permissions: Skips file permission synchronization
• Sparse Files: Optimizes handling of large files with empty sections

Advanced Synchronization Options

Ignore patterns prevent specific files or directories from synchronization. Common patterns include:

*.tmp
*.log
node_modules/
.git/

These patterns exclude temporary files, log files, development dependencies, and version control directories from synchronization activities.

Versioning strategies provide data protection through automatic backup creation:

• Simple Versioning: Maintains specified number of old versions
• Staggered Versioning: Implements time-based retention policies
• External Versioning: Delegates version management to custom scripts

Bandwidth limiting prevents Syncthing from overwhelming network connections:

syncthing -max-recv-kbps=1000 -max-send-kbps=1000

These settings limit transfer rates to 1 MB/s for both upload and download activities.

Security Best Practices and Considerations

Network Security

Firewall configuration protects Syncthing communications while maintaining necessary connectivity. Configure iptables rules for Syncthing traffic:

sudo iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 22000 -j ACCEPT
sudo iptables -A INPUT -p udp --dport 21027 -j ACCEPT

These rules permit incoming connections on Syncthing’s default communication ports while maintaining protection against unauthorized access attempts.

TLS encryption secures all device communications using industry-standard cryptographic protocols. Syncthing implements TLS 1.2 or newer with strong cipher suites that resist modern cryptographic attacks.

Data Protection Strategies

Device ID security requires careful management to prevent unauthorized synchronization relationships. Store device IDs securely and share them only through trusted communication channels.

Backup strategies protect against data loss through multiple redundancy layers:

• Local backups using rsync or similar tools
• Remote backups through separate Syncthing networks
• Version control integration for critical documents

Encryption considerations enhance security for sensitive data. While Syncthing encrypts data in transit, consider filesystem-level encryption using LUKS or similar technologies for data at rest protection.

Privacy and Trust Model

Syncthing’s decentralized architecture eliminates central points of failure and surveillance. No third-party services access your data, providing complete privacy and control over information flow.

The trust model relies on cryptographic certificates rather than traditional authentication systems. This approach provides mathematical verification of device identity without requiring centralized certificate authorities.

Network surveillance resistance stems from encrypted communications and distributed architecture. Traffic analysis remains possible, but content inspection becomes computationally infeasible without access to private keys.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Installation Problems

Repository access issues occasionally prevent package installation. Update package databases and retry installation:

sudo pacman -Sy
sudo pacman -S syncthing

Dependency conflicts may arise with conflicting package versions. Resolve conflicts by examining error messages and updating conflicting packages:

sudo pacman -Su

Permission errors during installation typically indicate insufficient privileges or filesystem corruption. Verify sudo access and filesystem integrity before retrying installation.

Service and Daemon Issues

Service startup failures often result from configuration errors or resource conflicts. Examine systemd logs for detailed error information:

journalctl -u syncthing@$USER.service --since "1 hour ago"

Port binding failures occur when multiple applications attempt to use the same network ports. Identify conflicting processes:

sudo netstat -tulpn | grep :8384

Terminate conflicting processes or configure alternative ports for Syncthing operation.

Configuration corruption may prevent service startup. Reset configuration while preserving device relationships:

syncthing -reset-database -home=~/.config/syncthing

Connection and Synchronization Problems

Device discovery failures typically result from network connectivity issues or firewall restrictions. Verify network connectivity between devices:

ping target-device-ip
telnet target-device-ip 22000

Database corruption affects synchronization reliability and performance. Rebuild the database using built-in tools:

syncthing -reset-database -home=~/.config/syncthing

Large file handling may cause timeouts or memory issues. Adjust configuration for improved performance:

syncthing -max-concurrent-scans=1 -max-ci-requests=16

GUI and Interface Issues

Web interface access problems may result from service configuration or browser restrictions. Verify service status and interface binding:

systemctl status syncthing@$USER.service
netstat -tulpn | grep :8384

Browser compatibility issues affect older browsers or those with strict security settings. Use modern browsers with JavaScript enabled for optimal functionality.

Port conflicts prevent interface access when other applications use port 8384. Configure alternative ports:

syncthing -gui-address=127.0.0.1:8385

Advanced Configuration and Optimization

Performance Tuning

Synchronization speed optimization involves multiple configuration parameters that balance performance against resource utilization. Adjust concurrent scan limits for improved directory monitoring:

syncthing -max-concurrent-scans=4

Resource usage management prevents Syncthing from overwhelming system resources during intensive synchronization activities. Configure CPU priority and memory limits:

nice -n 10 syncthing

Large file strategies optimize handling of multimedia files, disk images, and other substantial data objects. Enable sparse file support for improved efficiency:

"useLargeBlocks": true

Desktop Environment Integration

Syncthing-GTK provides native desktop integration with system tray support and desktop notifications. Install the GTK interface:

sudo pacman -S syncthing-gtk

Launch the GTK interface:

syncthing-gtk

Desktop notifications inform users of synchronization events, conflicts, and status changes. Configure notification preferences through the GTK interface or web GUI settings.

File manager integration enables direct access to synchronization status and conflict resolution through your preferred file manager. Most modern file managers support custom extensions and plugins for enhanced Syncthing integration.

Automation and Scripting

Automated management tasks streamline Syncthing operation through shell scripts and cron jobs. Create backup scripts for configuration preservation:

#!/bin/bash
cp -r ~/.config/syncthing ~/syncthing-backup-$(date +%Y%m%d)

Custom workflows integrate Syncthing with existing backup strategies and data management processes. Develop scripts for automated folder creation, device management, and synchronization monitoring.

Monitoring automation tracks synchronization health and alerts administrators to issues requiring attention. Implement log parsing and notification systems for proactive maintenance.

Best Practices and Recommendations

Maintenance and Updates

Regular update procedures ensure optimal security and functionality through timely package updates. Manjaro’s rolling release model automatically provides Syncthing updates through normal system update cycles:

sudo pacman -Syu

Configuration backup strategies protect against data loss and simplify disaster recovery. Regularly backup Syncthing configuration directories:

tar -czf syncthing-config-backup.tar.gz ~/.config/syncthing/

Performance monitoring identifies potential issues before they impact synchronization reliability. Monitor system resources and synchronization metrics through built-in tools and external monitoring solutions.

Usage Patterns and Workflows

Optimal folder organization improves synchronization efficiency and reduces conflict potential. Structure synchronized directories logically with clear separation between different data types and usage patterns.

Multi-device strategies coordinate synchronization across multiple systems while maintaining data consistency and avoiding synchronization loops. Implement hierarchical synchronization topologies for complex multi-device environments.

Conflict resolution procedures establish clear processes for handling synchronization conflicts and maintaining data integrity. Develop standardized approaches for conflict identification, analysis, and resolution.

Congratulations! You have successfully installed Syncthing. Thanks for using this tutorial for installing Syncthing on Manjaro Linux system. For additional help or useful information, we recommend you check the official Syncthing website.