Cloud Sync Guide – AO3 Advanced Marker

This guide will walk you through setting up cross-device cloud synchronization using JSONBin.io. Follow these steps to back up and sync your reading progress, statistics, and reviews across all your browsers.

Understanding the Synchronization Logic

To avoid accidental data overwrites when switching between different devices (like your phone and your laptop), synchronization in AO3 Advanced Marker is semi-automatic by design:

Automatic Backup: Pushes your local browser data to the cloud automatically every 24 hours (if enabled).
Manual Control: Allows you to explicitly pull (Download) or push (Upload) your data on demand directly from the AO3 website interface.

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Multi-Device Golden Rule

If you read on multiple devices, turn Automatic Backup ON only on your primary device (the one you use most frequently). Keep it OFF on secondary devices. When switching to a secondary device, manually click Download to load your latest progress. Before leaving that device, click Upload if you made any updates manually!

Generating Your Cloud Bins on JSONBin.io

First, you need to create a free account on JSONBin.io to host your encrypted configuration data files.

Step 2.1 — Creating a New Bin

In your JSONBin dashboard, click to create a new bin. Inside the initialization text area, you must provide a valid structural format. Type a JSON structure with an empty string key-value pair:

{"":""}

This tells the hosting server that the bin is ready. The extension will automatically overwrite this placeholder with your real reading history once you trigger your first sync.

Creating a new Bin on JSONBin.io dashboard — Figure 1 — Initializing a new bin with an empty JSON key-value pair.

Step 2.2 — Retrieving Your Bin IDs

Once saved, copy the unique alphanumeric identifier code generated for your newly created bin. You will need a Progress Bin ID, and optionally distinct Bin IDs for your reading statistics and chapter reviews.

Locating the Bin ID on JSONBin dashboard — Figure 2 — Copying the generated unique Bin ID from the dashboard.

Step 2.3 — Finding Your Master Key

Navigate to your JSONBin account API Keys tab to secure your secret Access Master Key. This token authorizes your extension to securely read and write data to your account.

Locating the Master Key in JSONBin API Keys tab — Figure 3 — Locating and copying your secret account Master Key.

Configuring the Extension Settings

Open the extension's dashboard options panel and navigate to the Cloud Settings tab on the sidebar layout.

Extension Options Dashboard showing Cloud Settings tab — Figure 4 — The Cloud Settings tab inside the AO3 Advanced Marker extension options panel.

Carefully paste your copied values into their respective input fields:

1
Master Key: Paste your secret X-Master-Key.
2
Progress Bin ID: Paste your primary reading progress tracker bin code (Required).
3
Stats Bin ID / Review Bin ID: Paste your optional secondary tracking storage codes.

Cloud credentials saved in the extension fields — Figure 5 — Cloud configurations securely saved into the extension fields.

Using Sync Features Inside AO3

Once your Master Key and Progress Bin ID are saved, navigate to any work or history list page on AO3. Look at the top bar labeled Marker Tools.

Scenario A — Manual Sync Mode

With Automatic Backup disabled, both manual action buttons are fully available on your navbar layout:

Upload Backup (API): Pushes your local browser markers up to the cloud server storage.
Download Backup (API): Pulls your cloud record down to refresh your active browser history.

Manual Upload and Download Buttons on AO3 toolbar — Figure 6 — Manual controls visible on AO3 when Automatic Backup is inactive.

Scenario B — Automatic Backup Mode

If you toggle the Automatic Backup switch ON inside your settings dashboard, the extension handles background updates automatically every 24 hours.

Automatic Backup toggle enabled in settings — Figure 7 — Turning on the background daily automatic backup cycle.

When this mode is active, the manual Upload Backup button is automatically hidden from the top bar to keep your UI clean and prevent redundant API overwrites. The Download Backup button remains accessible so you can pull states whenever needed.

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Coming Soon: Seamless Google Drive Sync!

We have fully developed an integrated Google Drive Sync protocol that completely eliminates third-party developer platforms, API keys, or manual configuration strings. You will be able to securely authorize your personal Google storage with one click. The implementation is code-complete — the update will apply automatically soon!