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Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to common questions about The Stratus. Can't find what you're looking for? Check our Troubleshooting Guide or contact support.

General

What is The Stratus?

The Stratus is a VS Code extension that automatically syncs your files to cloud storage (AWS S3, Google Cloud, Azure, FTP/SFTP, etc.) as you save them. It's designed for developers who want instant deployment without manual uploading.

Is The Stratus free?

Yes! The Stratus has a free tier that includes AWS S3 and FTP/SFTP support with up to 3 profiles and 3 parallel uploads. Pro features (Google Cloud, Azure, DigitalOcean, unlimited profiles, 10 parallel uploads) start at $49/year.

What's the difference between Free and Pro?

Feature Free Pro
AWS S3 ✓ ✓
FTP / SFTP ✓ ✓
Google Cloud / Azure / DO - ✓
Profiles 3 Unlimited
Parallel Uploads 3 10
MD5 Comparison - ✓

Which cloud providers are supported?

  • Free: AWS S3, FTP, SFTP
  • Pro: Google Cloud Storage, Azure Blob Storage, DigitalOcean Spaces, Cloudflare R2 (coming soon), Backblaze B2 (coming soon)

Installation & Setup

How do I install The Stratus?

Three ways:

  1. VS Code Marketplace: Search "The Stratus" in Extensions panel
  2. Command Palette: ext install thestratus.thestratus
  3. VSIX File: Download from GitHub Releases

See Getting Started Guide for detailed instructions.

Does it work with Cursor?

Yes! The Stratus works perfectly with Cursor since it's built on VS Code. Install it the same way you would in VS Code.

Can I use it without a workspace?

No, The Stratus requires an open workspace/folder to function. Open a folder in VS Code before configuring.

Configuration

Where is the configuration file?

The configuration is stored in .stratus/config.json in your workspace root. You can edit it manually or use the configuration wizard (Stratus: Configure).

Should I commit .stratus/config.json to Git?

No! Add it to .gitignore because it contains sensitive credentials:

# .gitignore
.stratus/config.json

How do I switch between profiles?

Use the Command Palette: Stratus: Select Profile and choose your target (dev, staging, production, etc.).

Can I use environment variables for credentials?

Yes! Use the ${VAR_NAME} syntax:

{
  "config": {
    "accessKeyId": "${AWS_ACCESS_KEY_ID}",
    "secretAccessKey": "${AWS_SECRET_ACCESS_KEY}"
  }
}

Syncing

How does auto-sync work?

When uploadOnSave is enabled, The Stratus automatically uploads files to your cloud storage every time you save. Watch the status bar for sync progress.

Can I disable auto-sync?

Yes, in two ways:

  1. Temporarily: Stratus: Disable Auto-Sync
  2. Per profile: Set "uploadOnSave": false in config

What files are synced?

By default, all files except:

  • node_modules/
  • .git/
  • .vscode/
  • .stratus/
  • *.log

Customize with watchPatterns and ignorePatterns in your configuration.

Can I sync only specific folders?

Yes, use watchPatterns:

"watchPatterns": [
  "dist/**/*",
  "public/**/*.{html,css,js}"
]

How do I sync manually?

Use Stratus: Sync Now from Command Palette to sync all files immediately.

Performance

Does it slow down VS Code?

No, The Stratus is designed to be lightweight and runs asynchronously. Syncing happens in the background without blocking your editor.

How fast is syncing?

Sync speed depends on:

  • Your internet connection
  • File sizes
  • Cloud provider location
  • Number of parallel uploads (3 for Free, up to 10 for Pro)

Does it re-upload unchanged files?

Free tier: Uses timestamp comparison
Pro tier: Uses MD5 hash comparison to skip unchanged files, saving bandwidth and time.

Security & Privacy

Where are my credentials stored?

Credentials are stored in two places:

  1. .stratus/config.json (your workspace) - Should be in .gitignore
  2. VS Code Secret Storage (optional) - Encrypted by VS Code

Is my data encrypted?

Yes, all connections use encryption:

  • AWS S3: HTTPS/TLS
  • SFTP: SSH encryption
  • FTP: FTPS (if supported by server)
  • Cloud providers: HTTPS/TLS

Do you see or store my files?

No. The Stratus is a client-side extension. Files go directly from your computer to your cloud storage. We never see, access, or store your files.

Is it open source?

Yes! The Stratus is open source under MIT license. View the code on GitHub.

Licensing

Can I try Pro features before buying?

Yes! We offer a 14-day free trial of Pro features. No credit card required.

How do I upgrade to Pro?

Visit thestratus.co/pricing to purchase a license. After purchase, activate it with Stratus: Activate Pro License.

Can I use one license on multiple computers?

Yes! Your Pro license can be activated on all computers you personally use.

Do you offer team licenses?

Yes, we offer volume discounts for teams of 5+ developers. Contact sales@thestratus.co for custom pricing.

Do you offer educational discounts?

Yes! Students and educators get 50% off Pro licenses. Verify with a valid .edu email address.

What's your refund policy?

We offer a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you're not satisfied, email support@thestratus.co for a full refund.

Troubleshooting

Extension isn't working

Try these steps:

  1. Reload VS Code: Developer: Reload Window
  2. Check extension is enabled in Extensions panel
  3. Ensure you have a workspace/folder open
  4. Check Output panel for errors: Stratus: Show Output

See Troubleshooting Guide for more solutions.

Files aren't syncing

Check:

  1. Auto-sync is enabled: Stratus: Enable Auto-Sync
  2. File isn't in ignorePatterns
  3. Configuration is valid (no JSON errors)
  4. Cloud credentials are correct

Connection errors

Verify:

  1. Credentials are correct
  2. Network connection is working
  3. Firewall isn't blocking connection
  4. Cloud provider service is online

Use Stratus: Test Connection to diagnose issues.

Support

How do I get support?

Multiple channels available:

How do I report a bug?

Email us at support@thestratus.co with:

  • The Stratus version
  • VS Code version
  • Operating system
  • Error messages from Output panel
  • Steps to reproduce

Can I request features?

Absolutely! Send your feature requests to support@thestratus.co. We love hearing from our users!

Still have questions? Email us at support@thestratus.co - we're here to help!