Share Models Between Systems

Learn how to share models across different ComfyUI installations.

Why Share Models?

• Save disk space
• Avoid duplicate downloads
• Centralized model management
• Easy updates

Method 1: Symbolic Link (Recommended)

Windows (mklink)

# Create folder for shared models
mkdir C:\SharedModels\StableDiffusion

# Create symbolic link in ComfyUI
mklink /D "C:\ComfyUI\models\checkpoints\Shared" "C:\SharedModels\StableDiffusion"

Linux/Mac

# Create folder
sudo mkdir -p /shared/models/stable-diffusion

# Create symbolic link
ln -s /shared/models/stable-diffusion ~/ComfyUI/models/checkpoints/shared

Method 2: Custom Node Path

Edit ComfyUI's extra_model_paths.yaml:

# For other ComfyUI installations
other_install:
  models_path: \\192.168.1.100\SharedModels\stable-diffusion

Method 3: Model Directory Configuration

Windows

Set environment variable:

setx COMFYUI_MODEL_PATH "D:\SharedModels\ComfyUI"

Linux

export COMFYUI_MODEL_PATH="/shared/models/comfyui"

Sharing with A1111 (Automatic1111)

Option 1: Use A1111 Models

Create extra_model_paths.yaml in ComfyUI:

# Path to Automatic1111
a1111:
  base_path: D:\stable-diffusion-webui\models
  checkpoints: Stable Diffusion
  vae: VAE
  loras: Lora
  controlnet: ControlNet

Option 2: Copy/Link

# Copy VAE
cp /path/to/a1111/vae/*.vae ~/ComfyUI/models/vae/

# Link checkpoints
ln -s /path/to/a1111/models/sd/* ~/ComfyUI/models/checkpoints/

Network Share (Windows)

Share Folder

1. Right-click folder → Properties
2. Sharing tab → Share
3. Add users and permissions

Access Network Share

# Map network drive
net use Z: \\192.168.1.100\SharedModels

# Or use in ComfyUI path
\\192.168.1.100\SharedModels\stable-diffusion\checkpoint.safetensors

Model Categories to Share

Category	Path
Checkpoints	models/checkpoints/
VAE	models/vae/
LoRA	models/loras/
Embeddings	models/embeddings/
ControlNet	models/controlnet/

Best Practices

1. Organize clearly: Use subfolders by model type
2. Backup: Keep original files safe
3. Version control: Track different model versions
4. Network speed: Use wired connection for faster access

Troubleshooting

Symbolic Link Failed

Run as administrator or check permissions.

Network Path Slow

Consider copying frequently used models locally.

Model Not Found

Check path spelling and ensure network is accessible.

Next Steps

• Model Install - Install models
• Prompt Basics - Use models effectively