{"id":"data-transfers.first-run-for-this-pair-option","url":"/faq/data-transfers/first-run-for-this-pair-option","category":{"id":"data-transfers","title":"Data Transfers"},"subcategory":{"id":"operations","title":"Copy, Move and Sync"},"question":"What does the “First run for this pair” option do in a two-way sync?","alt_questions":["first run for this pair checkbox","Should I tick first run for bidirectional sync?","two-way sync baseline option","bidirectional sync first time setup","resync option storage studio","why does two-way sync need a first run"],"short_answer":"It establishes the starting point for a brand-new two-way sync. Tick it only on the first run for a pair of folders; using it again can overwrite one side with the other. Scheduled runs never use it.","answer_markdown":"It sets the starting point for a new **Bidirectional sync**. A two-way sync works by comparing each side with how things looked last time; on the very first run there is no \"last time\", so this option tells it to establish one.\n\nTick it only once — the first time you sync a particular pair of folders. After that first successful run, leave it off. Ticking it again on a pair that's already set up can overwrite one side with the other.\n\nYou'll find it under **Advanced options** in **New Transfer**, and it appears only when Bidirectional sync is selected. Scheduled runs never use it, even if you ticked it on the original transfer.\n\nRelated: [What is Bidirectional sync?](/faq/data-transfers/what-is-bidirectional-sync)","answer_html":"

It sets the starting point for a new Bidirectional sync. A two-way sync works by comparing each side with how things looked last time; on the very first run there is no "last time", so this option tells it to establish one.

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Tick it only once — the first time you sync a particular pair of folders. After that first successful run, leave it off. Ticking it again on a pair that's already set up can overwrite one side with the other.

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You'll find it under Advanced options in New Transfer, and it appears only when Bidirectional sync is selected. Scheduled runs never use it, even if you ticked it on the original transfer.

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Related: What is Bidirectional sync?

","answer_text":"It sets the starting point for a new Bidirectional sync. A two-way sync works by comparing each side with how things looked last time; on the very first run there is no \"last time\", so this option tells it to establish one.\n\nTick it only once — the first time you sync a particular pair of folders. After that first successful run, leave it off. Ticking it again on a pair that's already set up can overwrite one side with the other.\n\nYou'll find it under Advanced options in New Transfer, and it appears only when Bidirectional sync is selected. Scheduled runs never use it, even if you ticked it on the original transfer.\n\nRelated: What is Bidirectional sync?","tags":["two-way sync","first run","advanced options"],"related":[{"id":"data-transfers.what-is-bidirectional-sync","question":"What is Bidirectional sync and when should I use it?","url":"/faq/data-transfers/what-is-bidirectional-sync"},{"id":"data-transfers.advanced-options-explained","question":"What are the Advanced options in New Transfer?","url":"/faq/data-transfers/advanced-options-explained"}],"applies_to":"all","last_reviewed":"2026-10-01","title":"What does the “First run for this pair” option do in a two-way sync? — Storage Studio FAQ","description":"It establishes the starting point for a brand-new two-way sync. Tick it only on the first run for a pair of folders; using it again can overwrite one side with the other. Scheduled runs never use it.","crumbs":[{"name":"Home","path":"/"},{"name":"FAQ","path":"/faq/"},{"name":"Data Transfers","path":"/faq/data-transfers/"},{"name":"What does the “First run for this pair” option do in a two-way sync?","path":"/faq/data-transfers/first-run-for-this-pair-option"}],"jsonld":{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"FAQPage","url":"https://storagestudio.us/faq/data-transfers/first-run-for-this-pair-option","inLanguage":"en","dateModified":"2026-10-01","mainEntity":[{"@type":"Question","name":"What does the “First run for this pair” option do in a two-way sync?","alternateName":["first run for this pair checkbox","Should I tick first run for bidirectional sync?","two-way sync baseline option","bidirectional sync first time setup","resync option storage studio","why does two-way sync need a first run"],"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"It sets the starting point for a new Bidirectional sync. A two-way sync works by comparing each side with how things looked last time; on the very first run there is no \"last time\", so this option tells it to establish one.\n\nTick it only once — the first time you sync a particular pair of folders. After that first successful run, leave it off. Ticking it again on a pair that's already set up can overwrite one side with the other.\n\nYou'll find it under Advanced options in New Transfer, and it appears only when Bidirectional sync is selected. Scheduled runs never use it, even if you ticked it on the original transfer.\n\nRelated: What is Bidirectional sync?","url":"https://storagestudio.us/faq/data-transfers/first-run-for-this-pair-option"}}]},"fragment":"
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Data Transfers · Copy, Move and Sync

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What does the “First run for this pair” option do in a two-way sync?

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Short answer: It establishes the starting point for a brand-new two-way sync. Tick it only on the first run for a pair of folders; using it again can overwrite one side with the other. Scheduled runs never use it.

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It sets the starting point for a new Bidirectional sync. A two-way sync works by comparing each side with how things looked last time; on the very first run there is no "last time", so this option tells it to establish one.

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Tick it only once — the first time you sync a particular pair of folders. After that first successful run, leave it off. Ticking it again on a pair that's already set up can overwrite one side with the other.

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You'll find it under Advanced options in New Transfer, and it appears only when Bidirectional sync is selected. Scheduled runs never use it, even if you ticked it on the original transfer.

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Related: What is Bidirectional sync?

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Last reviewed

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