Sync logo

Sync

OrganizationPopular
microsoft
sync

Sync the current session branch with its upstream branch, or publish the current session branch to a remote. Use when the user asks to sync a branch, pull latest changes, rebase onto upstream, push current branch, publish branch, or set upstream.

Overview

Publishermicrosoft
Repositoryvscode
Skill namesync
Stars
192.7K
Forks
42.7K
Bundled files
Instructions only
LicenseMIT
Links
  • Markdown instructions

    A SKILL.md file the model loads on demand, so it only costs tokens when a request actually matches.

  • Works with any LLM

    AI skills are plain Markdown, not provider-specific code, so this works with GPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok, or a local model.

  • Self-contained

    Everything the model needs lives in the instructions — no extra files to sync.

  • Open source

    Published by microsoft on GitHub. Read the source before you install it.

Installation

Install the Sync AI skill in TypingMind to use it with any LLM, or drop it into another agent that reads SKILL.md.

1

Install in TypingMind

TypingMind installs a skill straight from its GitHub folder — it reads SKILL.md, bundles the resource files, and stores the result locally.

  1. Open the app and go to Plugins → Skills.
  2. Choose "Install from GitHub".
  3. Paste the skill folder URL below and confirm.
  4. Enable the skill in any chat where you want it available.
Plugins → Skills → Add skill → From GitHub URL, then paste the folder URL and press Continue.
2

Install in another agent

Any agent that reads the Agent Skills format can use this skill — copy the folder into that agent's skills directory.

Claude Code — .claude/skills
git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/microsoft/vscode.git /tmp/vscode
mkdir -p .claude/skills
cp -r /tmp/vscode/src/vs/sessions/skills/sync .claude/skills/sync
Restart Claude Code after copying so it picks up the new skill.

Use it in TypingMind

Enable Sync in any TypingMind chat and the model takes it from there. Its name and description sit in the system prompt, and the moment a request matches, the model loads the full instructions itself — you never invoke it by hand, and it costs no tokens until it is actually used.

The model loads Sync on its own as soon as a request matches it.

Works with any AI model

AI skills are plain Markdown instructions rather than provider-specific code, so Sync is not tied to the model it was written for. Install it once in TypingMind and use it with GPT-5, Claude, Gemini, Grok, DeepSeek, Mistral, Llama, or a local model you run yourself — all on your own API keys.

  • Loaded only when it is needed

    The system prompt carries just the name and description. The instructions are fetched on the first matching request, so an idle skill costs nothing.

  • Switch models mid-chat

    Because the skill is instructions rather than code, changing model does not break it — the next model reads the same SKILL.md.

Skill instructions

This is the SKILL.md content the model loads. Read it before installing — a skill is instructions your model will follow.

Sync Changes

Sync the current session branch with its upstream branch, or publish the current session branch to a remote. Use when the user asks to sync a branch, pull latest changes, rebase onto upstream, push current branch, publish branch, or set upstream.

Guidelines

  • Never force-push (--force, --force-with-lease) without explicit user approval.
  • Never skip pre-push hooks (do not use --no-verify).
  • Never rewrite or drop commits during rebase without asking the user.
  • When in doubt about conflict resolution — ask the user.

Workflow

  1. Check for uncommitted changes first. If there are uncommitted changes, use the /commit skill to commit them before continuing.
  2. Check whether the current session branch has an upstream branch.
  3. If the current session branch has an upstream branch: 3.1. Fetch the upstream remote first so tracking refs are up to date.
    git fetch <upstream-remote>
    3.2. Check ahead/behind counts. If the branch is already in sync (0 ahead, 0 behind), stop and report that no sync is needed.
    git rev-list --left-right --count HEAD...@{u}
    3.3. If behind, rebase onto the upstream tracking branch.
    git rebase @{u}
    3.4. If there are merge conflicts, resolve them by preserving the intent of both sides. Stage the resolved files and continue the rebase.
    git add <resolved-files>
    git rebase --continue
    If conflict resolution is unclear, ask the user how to proceed. If the user wants to stop the rebase, abort it:
    git rebase --abort
    3.5. If the branch has local commits (ahead > 0), push them to the remote after a successful rebase.
    git push
    If the push is rejected because the rebase rewrote history, explain the situation to the user and ask for approval before force-pushing.
  4. If the current session branch does not have an upstream branch: 4.1. Determine the remote to publish to.
    • If there is only one remote, use it.
    • If there are multiple remotes, use the #tool:vscode/askQuestions tool to ask which remote to use. 4.2. Publish the current branch and set upstream in one step.
    git push -u <remote> HEAD

Validation

After the workflow completes, validate the result with explicit checks:

  1. Verify the working tree is clean:
    git status --porcelain
  2. Verify sync state (ahead/behind counts are both 0):
    git rev-list --left-right --count HEAD...@{u}
  3. If the branch was newly published, verify the upstream branch is configured:
    git rev-parse --abbrev-ref --symbolic-full-name @{u}

Frequently asked questions

What does the Sync AI skill do?

Sync the current session branch with its upstream branch, or publish the current session branch to a remote. Use when the user asks to sync a branch, pull latest changes, rebase onto upstream, push current branch, publish branch, or set upstream.

Why use Sync on TypingMind?

Because you install it once and use it with any model. Sync is plain Markdown rather than provider-specific code, so the same skill runs on GPT-5, Claude, Gemini, Grok, or a local model — and you can switch model mid-chat without it breaking. TypingMind runs on your own API keys, so you pay providers directly instead of a per-seat subscription, and your skills and chats stay in your own storage.

How do I install Sync in TypingMind?

Open Plugins → Skills → Install from GitHub in TypingMind and paste https://github.com/microsoft/vscode/tree/main/src/vs/sessions/skills/sync. TypingMind reads its SKILL.md and installs it as a skill you can enable per chat.

Which AI models can use Sync?

Any model you connect in TypingMind. AI skills are plain Markdown instructions rather than provider-specific code, so GPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok, and local models can all load this skill when a request matches it.

How many AI models can I use with Sync?

As many as you like. As long as a model supports skills, you can use Sync with it — GPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok, DeepSeek, Mistral, Llama and more — all on TypingMind with your own API keys.

Is the Sync AI skill free?

Yes. It is published on GitHub by microsoft under the MIT license. You only pay your own AI provider for the tokens you use.

What are AI skills?

An AI skill is a reusable instruction bundle that teaches an AI model how to do one specific task. It follows the open Agent Skills format: a SKILL.md file with a name and description, plus any scripts, templates or reference files the model may need. The model reads the instructions only when your request matches the skill, so an installed skill costs nothing until it is used.

How are AI skills different from plugins or MCP servers?

A plugin or MCP server gives a model new tools to call — code that runs somewhere and returns a result. An AI skill gives the model knowledge and process instead: how to approach a task, which steps to follow, what good output looks like. Skills are plain Markdown, so they need no server, no API key and no runtime, and they work with any model.

View all

Set up your own AI workspace now

Get notified about new features and future giveaways by subscribing to our newsletter 👇