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P4 CLI Documentation | 2026.1

# Use the same workspace from different computers

By default, you can only use a workspace on the computer that is specified by the `Host` field. If you want to use the same workspace on multiple computers with different platforms, delete the `Host:` entry and set the `AltRoots` field in the client specification. You can specify a maximum of two alternate workspace roots. The locations must be visible from all computers that will be using them, for example through NFS or Samba mounts.

P4 Server compares the current working directory against the main `Root:` first, and then against the two `AltRoots:` if specified. The first root to match the current working directory is used. If no roots match, the main root is used.

If you are using a Windows directory in any of your workspace roots, specify the Windows directory as your main client `Root:` and specify your other workspace root directories in the `AltRoots` field.

In the example below, if user `bruno`’s current working directory is located under `/usr/bruno`, P4 Server uses the UNIX path as his workspace root, rather than `c:\bruno_ws`. This approach allows `bruno` to use the same client specification for both UNIX and Windows development.

    Client: bruno_ws
    Owner:  bruno
    Description:
            Created by bruno.
    Root:   c:\bruno_ws
    AltRoots:
            /usr/bruno/

To find out which client workspace root is in effect, issue the `p4 info` command and check the `Client root` field.

If you edit text files in the same workspace from different platforms, ensure that the editors and settings you use preserve the line endings. For details about line-endings in cross-platform settings, see Configure line-ending settings.

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