maestral
Synchronize local files with Dropbox
TLDR
Start the GUI
Print current status of Maestral
Pause syncing
Resume syncing
Print sync status of a specific file or folder
SYNOPSIS
maestral [options]
PARAMETERS
--version
Show program's version number and exit.
--help
Show help message and exit.
gui
Starts the Maestral GUI if installed.
start
Starts Maestral daemon.
stop
Stops Maestral daemon.
status
Shows the current status of Maestral.
pause
Pauses syncing.
resume
Resumes syncing.
unlink
Unlinks Maestral from your Dropbox account. Clears all settings.
autostart
Configures Maestral to start automatically on login.
excluded
Lists or manages excluded folders and files.
config
Access and manage Maestral's configuration settings.
account-info
Retrieves information about the linked Dropbox account.
notify
Sends desktop notifications about sync events.
DESCRIPTION
Maestral is an open-source Dropbox client for Linux and macOS. It aims to provide a feature-rich alternative to the official Dropbox client, particularly useful on platforms where the official client support is limited or problematic.
Maestral does not rely on the official Dropbox client and instead uses the public Dropbox API. This allows for a lightweight installation with fewer dependencies and better control over syncing behavior.
Key features typically include selective sync, file sharing, command-line interface (CLI) for scripting and automation, and integration with desktop environments. It offers a more configurable and privacy-focused Dropbox experience for users. Compared to other tools, Maestral stands out for its ability to work without a graphical user interface, which makes it well-suited for headless servers. It is a useful tool for accessing Dropbox files on resource-constrained systems.
CAVEATS
Maestral relies on the Dropbox API and may be affected by changes to the API. Some advanced Dropbox features may not be fully supported. File conflict resolution behavior may differ from the official client.
TROUBLESHOOTING
If you encounter issues with Maestral, check the log files for error messages. Ensure that you have sufficient disk space and network connectivity. Verify that your Dropbox API key is valid and has the necessary permissions.
PERFORMANCE
Maestral's performance can be affected by the number of files being synced and the speed of your internet connection. Adjust the selective sync settings to exclude large or rarely used folders to improve performance.
HISTORY
Maestral was developed to address limitations of the official Dropbox client, particularly on Linux. It gained popularity for its lightweight nature and CLI capabilities. It continues to be actively maintained.
SEE ALSO
dropbox(1), rsync(1)