AutoSync

AutoSync (Mode 1)

AutoSync extracts game ZIPs from a source folder (NAS or local drive) into a local staging folder, then registers the extracted games with TeknoParrot.

---

When to use it

Use AutoSync when your games are stored as ZIP files -- for example, on a NAS running the TeknoParrot Collection. If your games are already extracted, use Register (mode 2) instead.

---

Staging folder rules

The script enforces these rules to keep your library healthy:

• Must be on a local drive (network extraction is too slow)
• Must not be inside the TeknoParrot folder
• Must not overlap the ZIP source folder
• Must have enough free space -- the script warns if the drive has less than ~1.5x the total ZIP size and asks before continuing

Example: D:\TeknoParrotGames

---

Game selection menu

After entering your folders the script scans the staging folder and filters out games already extracted. It then shows:

347 game(s) already extracted -- not shown.
136 game(s) available to extract.

Then the selection menu:

Key	Action
A	All unextracted games -- fastest option for a full library
L	Browse A-Z paginated list, pick by number
S	Search by keyword, pick by number
D	Done -- proceed with current queue

You can switch freely between Browse (L) and Search (S) to build up a queue across multiple selections before pressing D. The header always shows how many games are queued.

Browse (L)

Shows unextracted games in alphabetical order, 20 at a time. Commands:

Key	Action
Numbers or ranges	1,3,5-7 -- add games to the queue
N	Next page
P	Previous page
B	Back to selection menu
D	Done -- start extracting

Games already queued are marked with *.

Search (S)

Type any part of a game name. Matching unextracted games are shown numbered. Type numbers or ranges to add them to the queue. Type back to return to the menu or done to finish.

---

Extraction behaviour

• Naming: Extraction folders use the raw ZIP filename, matching the collection's naming convention. If a game was previously extracted under an older naming convention (spaces vs no spaces between bracket groups), the script recognises the existing folder and does not create a duplicate.

• Metadata ZIPs: Files whose name starts with !TeknoParrot Collection (changelog, readme, game notes) are always skipped.

• Interrupted extractions: If an extraction is cut short (Ctrl+C, power loss, disk error), a .extracting sentinel file is placed next to the game folder at the start and removed only on success. If the sentinel is found on the next run, the incomplete folder is detected and re-extracted from scratch automatically.

---

After extraction

AutoSync proceeds directly into registration. See Register for everything that happens during and after registration.

---

RetroBat / Batocera naming

If RetroBat mode is enabled (set during Setup), games are extracted as GameName.teknoparrot instead of GameName. The script also recognises .parrot and .game suffixes for existing folders.

To switch an existing library to RetroBat naming:

1. Press N at the "Use these settings?" prompt so the RetroBat question appears.
2. Answer Y.
3. Delete TeknoParrot-Manager.syncstate.json from your staging folder to force re-extraction.
4. Re-run -- games are re-extracted with .teknoparrot folder names.

Old folders are never deleted automatically.