> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.adopt.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Sync settings and filters

> Control what a sync brings in and when — one-time vs scheduled, and include/exclude filters.

A sync doesn't have to pull an entire drive on a fixed schedule. You control both *what* comes in and *when*.

## One-time vs scheduled

* **One-time sync** — pulls the current files once. Good for a fixed set of documents.
* **Scheduled sync** — re-runs on a cadence, bringing in new and changed files automatically. Good for a source that keeps getting new documents (an ongoing client folder).

## Include / exclude filters

You rarely want an entire drive. Filters let you pull only what matters:

* **Include patterns** — e.g. only `*.xlsx` and `*.pdf`.
* **Exclude patterns** — e.g. skip a `/drafts` or `/archive` folder.

Wildcards are supported for both. Set these when you configure the sync.

## Re-syncing

Re-running a sync brings across anything new or changed since last time. If a client says the agent used stale data, triggering a fresh sync is usually the fix.

<Tip>
  Scope narrowly — a tighter filter means faster syncs and less irrelevant data for the agent to wade through. For ongoing engagements, schedule a sync a little before the agent's run so files are current, and exclude work-in-progress folders so the agent never cites something unfinished.
</Tip>

## Next steps

1. [Connecting a data source](/builder-guide/connecting-a-source)
2. [Connectors and sync](/core-concepts/connectors-and-sync)
3. [Sync problems](/troubleshooting/sync-problems)