BrowserSync

BrowserSync is a simple macOS CLI to back up and restore your browser profile data — locally, with no cloud in between.

Supported browsers:

Browser	Engine	Key
Zen Browser	Gecko	zen
Brave Browser	Chromium	brave
Helium	Chromium	helium

Disclaimer

• BrowserSync only exports and imports browser data in your local storage.
• BrowserSync does not upload, sync, or store your data on any remote server.
• You are fully responsible for your own data backups, storage, and recovery.
• By using this tool, you accept that data responsibility is with the user, not the developer.

How it works

• Export copies your browser's profile directory into a backup zip in ~/Downloads.
• Import restores a backup zip back into that browser's profile directory (moving any existing data aside to a timestamped safety backup first).

Everything in the profile is captured: profiles, workspaces/spaces, settings, extensions, themes, bookmarks, history, tabs, preferences, and customizations.

Requirements

• Go 1.22 or higher (to build)
• macOS 10.15 or higher
• The browser you want to sync, installed

Installation

Option 1: Homebrew

brew tap uncaughterrs/tap
brew install browsersync

Option 2: Clone and Build

git clone https://github.com/uncaughterrs/browsersync.git
cd browsersync
go build -o browsersync .
sudo cp browsersync /usr/local/bin/browsersync
sudo chmod +x /usr/local/bin/browsersync

Usage

Interactive (recommended)

Just run:

browsersync

You'll be asked to pick a browser, then choose Export or Import. Export saves a zip to ~/Downloads; Import asks for the path to your backup zip.

Non-interactive (scripting)

browsersync <browser> --export
browsersync <browser> --import <zip-path>
browsersync --help

Examples:

browsersync brave --export
browsersync zen --import ~/Downloads/zen_backup_2026-07-06_10-00-00.zip
browsersync helium --export

Backup and Restore Flow

1. Export your browser data to a local zip:

   browsersync brave --export

   This creates brave_backup_*.zip in ~/Downloads.

2. Store the zip wherever you like — a folder, an external drive, or a cloud drive folder you control.

3. Import it back on any Mac:

   browsersync brave --import /path/to/brave_backup_YYYY-MM-DD_HH-MM-SS.zip

Note

• macOS only.
• Run browsersync as your normal user. Do not run with sudo.
• BrowserSync closes the target browser before exporting/importing to keep the profile consistent.

Issues and Support

If you face any issue:

• Message me on Twitter: @krishstwt
• Or create an issue in the repo: github.com/uncaughterrs/browsersync/issues