René's URL Explorer Experiment

{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"DiscussionForumPosting","headline":"Feature Discussion: File Sync for Note-Taking Apps (Logseq) via LDP","articleBody":"## Summary\n\nProposing a pattern for using JSS as a sync backend for local-first note-taking applications like Logseq, Obsidian, and similar markdown-based tools. This would leverage Solid's existing LDP capabilities for HTTP-based file synchronization.\n\n## Use Case\n\nUsers want to sync their Logseq/Obsidian graphs across multiple devices:\n- Desktop (Linux/Mac/Windows)\n- Mobile (Android/iOS via Termux or apps)\n- Web interfaces\n\nCurrently, options are:\n- Proprietary sync (Logseq Sync, Obsidian Sync) - paid, closed\n- Git - requires SSH setup, not mobile-friendly\n- rsync over SSH - requires key management\n- Cloud storage (Dropbox, iCloud) - sync conflicts, not self-hosted\n\n**Solid/JSS could provide a self-hosted, HTTP-based alternative.**\n\n## Proposed Architecture\n\n```\nDevice A (Logseq)\n    ↓ HTTP PUT\nJSS Pod (/user/logseq/)\n    ↑ HTTP GET\nDevice B (Logseq)\n```\n\n## Technical Implementation\n\n### 1. Basic Sync with LDP\n\nJSS already supports GET/PUT for files. A sync script can:\n\n```bash\n# Pull file\ncurl -H \"Authorization: Bearer $TOKEN\" https://pod.example/user/logseq/journals/2026_01_19.md\n\n# Push file  \ncurl -X PUT -H \"Authorization: Bearer $TOKEN\" \\\n  --data-binary \"@file.md\" https://pod.example/user/logseq/journals/2026_01_19.md\n```\n\n### 2. Efficient Sync with ETags\n\nJSS supports conditional requests:\n\n```bash\n# Only download if changed\ncurl -H \"If-None-Match: \\\"abc123\\\"\" \"$POD_URL/file.md\"\n# Returns 304 Not Modified if unchanged\n\n# Only upload if not modified remotely (conflict detection)\ncurl -X PUT -H \"If-Match: \\\"abc123\\\"\" --data-binary \"@file.md\" \"$POD_URL/file.md\"\n# Returns 412 Precondition Failed if remote changed\n```\n\n### 3. Real-Time Notifications\n\nFor instant sync across devices:\n\n**Option A: WebSocket Pub/Sub**\n\n```javascript\nconst ws = new WebSocket('wss://pod.example/ws');\nws.send(JSON.stringify({ subscribe: '/user/logseq/' }));\nws.onmessage = (e) =\u003e { /* pull changed file */ };\n```\n\n**Option B: Nostr Ephemeral Events**\n\nUsing Nostr (kind 21000) for decentralized sync signals - works across different servers without requiring WebSocket support:\n\n```javascript\n// After PUT, publish sync notification to Nostr relay\n// Other devices subscribe and trigger pull\n```\n\n## Potential JSS Enhancements\n\n### 1. Sync Metadata Endpoint\n\n```http\nGET /user/logseq/.sync-status\n\n{\n  \"files\": {\n    \"journals/2026_01_19.md\": { \"etag\": \"abc123\", \"modified\": \"2026-01-19T18:00:00Z\" }\n  }\n}\n```\n\n### 2. Batch Operations\n\n```http\nPOST /user/logseq/.batch\n{ \"operations\": [{ \"method\": \"PUT\", \"path\": \"file1.md\", \"body\": \"...\" }, ...] }\n```\n\n## Benefits Over Existing Solutions\n\n| Feature | Git | rsync | Solid/HTTP |\n|---------|-----|-------|------------|\n| No SSH keys | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |\n| Works through firewalls | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |\n| Mobile-friendly | ❌ | ⚠️ | ✅ |\n| Conflict detection | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ (ETags) |\n| Self-hosted | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |\n\n## Questions\n\n1. Should JSS provide a `.sync-status` endpoint for efficient change detection?\n2. Would WebSocket pub/sub be valuable for real-time sync?\n3. Interest in a reference Logseq plugin that syncs to Solid pods?\n\nHappy to implement a proof-of-concept sync client if there's interest.","author":{"url":"https://github.com/melvincarvalho","@type":"Person","name":"melvincarvalho"},"datePublished":"2026-01-19T17:37:12.000Z","interactionStatistic":{"@type":"InteractionCounter","interactionType":"https://schema.org/CommentAction","userInteractionCount":0},"url":"https://github.com/102/JavaScriptSolidServer/issues/102"}