Home Sync on your own machine

No NAS required — any machine that’s on when your devices need to sync can host Home Sync: a desktop that stays awake, a Mac mini in a closet, an old laptop.

Note

Sync happens whenever devices can reach the server, and devices catch up as soon as it’s back — so a machine that sleeps at night is fine, as long as it’s up when your other devices are.

Option 1 — Docker Desktop

Install Docker Desktop (macOS/Windows/Linux), then follow the Docker guide as-is. Your server URL is http://localhost:4437 on the machine itself, or http://<machine-ip>:4437 from other devices on the network.

Option 2 — from source

For machines without Docker. You’ll need Node.js 20.11+ (and build tools; on macOS, Xcode Command Line Tools).

git clone https://github.com/rankin-works/vetroscope-home-sync.git
cd vetroscope-home-sync
npm install
npm run dev

Check http://localhost:4437/health, then watch the terminal for the one-time setup code and connect Vetroscope exactly as in the Docker guide — the wizard steps are identical.

Data lives in the directory set by VS_DATA_DIR (all the configuration variables work the same as environment variables). To keep it running after you close the terminal, use your platform’s usual service tool (launchd, systemd, or a process manager).

Same machine as Vetroscope?

That works — the app treats localhost like any other server. Just know that a laptop hosting its own sync server only syncs your other devices while that laptop is on and reachable. For always-available sync, the NAS/Docker route or Vetroscope Cloud fit better.