YOUR MACHINES. ONE ENVIRONMENT.

Different machines.
Same setup.

Your shell, your packages, your familiar shortcuts. Tether keeps them in sync through a Git repo you control.

Open source · macOS · Linux beta

YOUR SYNC NETWORK Connected
Work laptopmacOS
Synced
Home desktopmacOS
Synced
Your Git repo Encrypted dotfiles
.zshrc.gitconfigpackages
Local files → Encrypt → Git → Your machines↔
YOUR TOOLS, ALREADY INCLUDED
Homebrewnpmpnpmbungemuv

LESS SETUP. MORE BUILDING.

Keep your environment
close, wherever you work.

Your repo. Your history.

Use your own Git repository. Track changes and restore earlier versions when you need them.

Explore the workflow↗

Private by default.

Tether encrypts dotfiles before they reach Git. Your passphrase unlocks them on your machines.

Read about encryption↗

More than dotfiles.

Sync global packages and project configs. Keep your tools and settings together across machines.

See what you can sync↗

THE RIGHT SETUP FOR EACH MACHINE

Connected.
Not identical.

Your work laptop and your server do different jobs. Use profiles to choose the files and packages each machine receives.

Keep your shell consistent. Leave the desktop apps on your desktop.

Explore machine profiles
ONE REPO. DIFFERENT PROFILES.
Your Git repoDotfiles + package manifests
WORK

Work laptop

  • Shell config
  • Editor settings
  • Desktop apps
SERVER

Remote server

  • Shell config
  • CLI tools
  • No desktop apps
Example profiles. You choose the files and packages.

FROM ONE MACHINE TO THE NEXT

A familiar setup.
A few simple steps.

  1. 1

    Connect your repo.

    Install Tether. Select your Git repository and set an encryption passphrase.

    Terminal
    tether init
  2. 2

    Add another machine.

    Run setup on your next machine. Select the same repo and enter your passphrase.

    Terminal
    tether init
  3. 3

    Get back to work.

    The daemon syncs every five minutes. Run a sync yourself whenever you need one.

    Terminal
    tether sync

BETTER TOGETHER

Share the setup.
Keep your own keys.

Sync team dotfiles and encrypted project secrets. Give each teammate access through their own age key.

Explore team sync

A FEW THINGS TO KNOW

Your setup.
Your decisions.

Do I need a Tether account?

No. Tether uses your existing Git repository and Git authentication. You do not need a separate Tether account.

What gets encrypted?

Tether encrypts personal dotfiles by default. Package manifests remain readable in Git. Team secrets use age public-key encryption.

Read the security model ↗
Can I choose what syncs?

Yes. Select your dotfiles and package managers. Use machine profiles and feature toggles to control each machine.

See configuration options ↗
What happens when files conflict?

Tether lets you keep the local version, use the remote version, merge the files, or skip the conflict.

Learn about conflict resolution ↗

READY WHEN YOU ARE

Your next machine.
Already yours.

Install Tether, then run tether init to connect your Git repo.

Install with Homebrew
brew tap paddo-tech/tap
brew install tether-cli
Setup guide ↗macOS · Linux beta