How to Sync an Obsidian Vault Between Windows 11 and Linux (Debian LXC) Using Syncthing for n8n Automations
Why I needed a Cross-Platform Obsidian Sync Setup
Keeping an Obsidian vault synced between Windows and Linux can be tricky if you don’t want to rely on third‑party cloud services like Dropbox or Google Drive. I ran into this challenge while trying to keep my various vaults consistent across my Windows 11 desktop (where I do most of my vault work) and a Debian Linux LXC running on Proxmox, where I host my automation tools. My goal wasn’t just simple note syncing, I wanted to unlock powerful n8n workflows that process and automate my notes directly from the server.
After brainstorming a few options, I landed on Syncthing as the perfect solution. It’s lightweight, private, and runs quietly in the background without any dependency on external services. Even better, I figured out how to start Syncthing automatically on Windows 11 without the annoying terminal popup, while also configuring a persistent Syncthing systemd service inside my Debian LXC. In this post, I’ll walk you through exactly how I set it up and how it powers my Obsidian + n8n automation workflow.