Cross-Machine Context Sync

The Problem

I work on two machines:

  • Mac - Primary development, client work
  • Z13 - AI experimentation, local LLM hosting

Switching machines meant losing context. I’d start a project on the Mac, switch to Z13, and have to remember where I left off. Manual. Friction.

The Solution

Real-time context synchronization via MCP (Model Context Protocol) server.

Architecture

Mac → shared-context-mcp → Upstash Redis ← shared-context-mcp ← Z13

Components:

  • MCP Server (Node.js) - Runs locally on each machine
  • Vercel Edge Functions - API layer for context operations
  • Upstash Redis - Free-tier cloud state storage (10k commands/day)

Operations

// Set context (from Mac)
set_context("current_focus", "Implementing MCP infrastructure")

// Get context (from Z13)
get_context("current_focus")
// Returns: "Implementing MCP infrastructure"

// List all context
list_context()

// Delete when done
delete_context("current_focus")

Simple key-value store. But the synchronization is instant.

What Makes It Useful

Zero-friction context switching: Set context on Mac before bed. Wake up, switch to Z13, context is there.

AI continuity: Claude on Mac can communicate with Claude on Z13 via shared state.

No git commits needed: Not everything needs version control. Ephemeral state (like “what I’m currently focused on”) lives here.

Optional TTL: Set expiration times on context items. Old context auto-cleans.

Use Cases

Active development:

  • Current focus/objectives
  • Blockers encountered
  • Next steps
  • Open questions

Cross-machine coordination:

  • “Mac is building Docker image, check status on Z13”
  • “Test results uploaded, review on Mac”

AI memory:

  • Pattern observations
  • Decisions made
  • Things to remember

Current Status

Operational. Tested with 6 MCP servers. Context set on Z13 is instantly retrievable. Mac setup pending (will copy template and adjust paths).

The infrastructure works. Now exploring optimal workflow patterns.

Technologies: Model Context Protocol, Node.js, Upstash Redis, Vercel Edge Functions Status: Operational on Z13, Mac setup pending Cost: $0/month (free tier)