diff --git a/cmd/cmd.go b/cmd/cmd.go
index cc485dd4f..101c7ee7b 100644
--- a/cmd/cmd.go
+++ b/cmd/cmd.go
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/rclone/rclone/fs"
 	"github.com/rclone/rclone/fs/accounting"
 	"github.com/rclone/rclone/fs/cache"
+	"github.com/rclone/rclone/fs/cluster"
 	"github.com/rclone/rclone/fs/config/configfile"
 	"github.com/rclone/rclone/fs/config/configflags"
 	"github.com/rclone/rclone/fs/config/flags"
@@ -481,6 +482,22 @@ func initConfig() {
 			}
 		})
 	}
+
+	// Run as a cluster worker if configured, otherwise ignoring
+	// the command given on the command line
+	if ci.Cluster != "" {
+		if ci.ClusterID == "" || ci.ClusterID == "0" {
+			fs.Infof(nil, "Running in cluster mode %q as controller", ci.ClusterID)
+		} else {
+			fs.Infof(nil, "Running in cluster mode %q as worker with id %q", ci.ClusterID, ci.ClusterID)
+			worker, err := cluster.NewWorker(ctx)
+			if err != nil || worker == nil {
+				fs.Fatalf(nil, "Failed to start cluster worker: %v", err)
+			}
+			// Do not continue with the main thread
+			select {}
+		}
+	}
 }
 
 func resolveExitCode(err error) {
diff --git a/fs/cluster/cluster.go b/fs/cluster/cluster.go
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..2863b49c3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/fs/cluster/cluster.go
@@ -0,0 +1,498 @@
+// Package cluster implements a machanism to distribute work over a
+// cluster of rclone instances.
+package cluster
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"errors"
+	"fmt"
+	"path"
+	"strings"
+	"sync"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/rclone/rclone/fs"
+	"github.com/rclone/rclone/fs/accounting"
+	"github.com/rclone/rclone/fs/filter"
+	"github.com/rclone/rclone/fs/operations"
+	"github.com/rclone/rclone/fs/rc"
+	"github.com/rclone/rclone/lib/atexit"
+)
+
+// ErrClusterNotConfigured is returned from creation functions.
+var ErrClusterNotConfigured = errors.New("cluster is not configured")
+
+// Cluster describes the workings of the current cluster.
+type Cluster struct {
+	jobs        *Jobs
+	id          string
+	batchFiles  int
+	batchSize   fs.SizeSuffix
+	cleanup     fs.ClusterCleanup    // how we cleanup cluster files
+	_config     rc.Params            // for rc
+	_filter     rc.Params            // for rc
+	cancel      func()               // stop bg job
+	wg          sync.WaitGroup       // bg job finished
+	quit        chan struct{}        // signal graceful stop
+	sync        chan chan<- struct{} // sync the current jobs
+	quitWorkers bool                 // if set, send workers a stop signal on Shutdown
+
+	mu           sync.Mutex
+	currentBatch Batch
+	inflight     map[string]Batch
+	shutdown     bool
+}
+
+// Batch is a collection of rc tasks to do
+type Batch struct {
+	size   int64       // size in batch
+	Path   string      `json:"_path"`
+	Inputs []rc.Params `json:"inputs"`
+	Config rc.Params   `json:"_config,omitempty"`
+	Filter rc.Params   `json:"_filter,omitempty"`
+
+	trs   []*accounting.Transfer // transfer for each Input
+	sizes []int64                // sizes for each Input
+}
+
+// BatchResult has the results of the batch as received.
+type BatchResult struct {
+	Results []rc.Params `json:"results"`
+
+	// Error returns
+	Error  string `json:"error"`
+	Status int    `json:"status"`
+	Input  string `json:"input"`
+	Path   string `json:"path"`
+}
+
+// NewCluster creates a new cluster from the config in ctx.
+//
+// It may return nil for no cluster is configured.
+func NewCluster(ctx context.Context) (*Cluster, error) {
+	ci := fs.GetConfig(ctx)
+	if ci.Cluster == "" {
+		return nil, nil
+	}
+	jobs, err := NewJobs(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	c := &Cluster{
+		jobs:        jobs,
+		id:          ci.ClusterID,
+		quitWorkers: ci.ClusterQuitWorkers,
+		batchFiles:  ci.ClusterBatchFiles,
+		batchSize:   ci.ClusterBatchSize,
+		cleanup:     ci.ClusterCleanup,
+		quit:        make(chan struct{}),
+		sync:        make(chan chan<- struct{}),
+		inflight:    make(map[string]Batch),
+	}
+
+	// Configure _config
+	configParams, err := fs.ConfigOptionsInfo.NonDefaultRC(ci)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to read global config: %w", err)
+	}
+	// Remove any global cluster config
+	for k := range configParams {
+		if strings.HasPrefix(k, "Cluster") {
+			delete(configParams, k)
+		}
+	}
+	if len(configParams) != 0 {
+		fs.Debugf(nil, "Overridden global config: %#v", configParams)
+	}
+	c._config = rc.Params(configParams)
+
+	// Configure _filter
+	fi := filter.GetConfig(ctx)
+	if !fi.InActive() {
+		filterParams, err := filter.OptionsInfo.NonDefaultRC(fi)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to read filter config: %w", err)
+		}
+		fs.Debugf(nil, "Overridden filter config: %#v", filterParams)
+		c._filter = rc.Params(filterParams)
+	}
+
+	err = c.jobs.createDirectoryStructure(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+
+	// Start the background worker
+	bgCtx, cancel := context.WithCancel(context.Background())
+	c.cancel = cancel
+	c.wg.Add(1)
+	go c.run(bgCtx)
+
+	fs.Logf(c.jobs.f, "Started cluster master")
+
+	return c, nil
+}
+
+var (
+	globalClusterMu sync.Mutex
+	globalCluster   *Cluster
+)
+
+// GetCluster starts or gets a cluster.
+//
+// If no cluster is configured or the cluster can't be started then it
+// returns nil.
+func GetCluster(ctx context.Context) *Cluster {
+	globalClusterMu.Lock()
+	defer globalClusterMu.Unlock()
+
+	if globalCluster != nil {
+		return globalCluster
+	}
+
+	cluster, err := NewCluster(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		fs.Errorf(nil, "Failed to start cluster: %v", err)
+		return nil
+	}
+	if cluster != nil {
+		atexit.Register(func() {
+			err := cluster.Shutdown(context.Background())
+			if err != nil {
+				fs.Errorf(nil, "Failed to shutdown cluster: %v", err)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+
+	globalCluster = cluster
+	return globalCluster
+}
+
+// Send the current batch for processing
+//
+// call with c.mu held
+func (c *Cluster) sendBatch(ctx context.Context) (err error) {
+	// Do nothing if the batch is empty
+	if len(c.currentBatch.Inputs) == 0 {
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	// Get and reset current batch
+	b := c.currentBatch
+	c.currentBatch = Batch{}
+
+	b.Path = "job/batch"
+	b.Config = c._config
+	b.Filter = c._filter
+
+	// write the pending job
+	name, err := c.jobs.writeJob(ctx, clusterPending, &b)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	fs.Infof(name, "written cluster batch file")
+	c.inflight[name] = b
+	return nil
+}
+
+// Add the command to the current batch
+func (c *Cluster) addToBatch(ctx context.Context, obj fs.Object, in rc.Params, size int64, tr *accounting.Transfer) (err error) {
+	c.mu.Lock()
+	defer c.mu.Unlock()
+	if c.shutdown {
+		return errors.New("internal error: can't add file to Shutdown cluster")
+	}
+
+	c.currentBatch.Inputs = append(c.currentBatch.Inputs, in)
+	c.currentBatch.size += size
+	c.currentBatch.trs = append(c.currentBatch.trs, tr)
+	c.currentBatch.sizes = append(c.currentBatch.sizes, size)
+
+	if c.currentBatch.size >= int64(c.batchSize) || len(c.currentBatch.Inputs) >= c.batchFiles {
+		err = c.sendBatch(ctx)
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+// Move does operations.Move via the cluster.
+//
+// Move src object to dst or fdst if nil.  If dst is nil then it uses
+// remote as the name of the new object.
+func (c *Cluster) Move(ctx context.Context, fdst fs.Fs, dst fs.Object, remote string, src fs.Object) (err error) {
+	tr := accounting.Stats(ctx).NewTransfer(src, fdst)
+	if operations.SkipDestructive(ctx, src, "cluster move") {
+		in := tr.Account(ctx, nil)
+		in.DryRun(src.Size())
+		tr.Done(ctx, nil)
+		return nil
+	}
+	fsrc, ok := src.Fs().(fs.Fs)
+	if !ok {
+		err = errors.New("internal error: cluster move: can't cast src.Fs() to fs.Fs")
+		tr.Done(ctx, err)
+		return err
+	}
+	in := rc.Params{
+		"_path":     "operations/movefile",
+		"dstFs":     fs.ConfigStringFull(fdst),
+		"dstRemote": remote,
+		"srcFs":     fs.ConfigStringFull(fsrc),
+		"srcRemote": src.Remote(),
+	}
+	if dst != nil {
+		in["dstRemote"] = dst.Remote()
+	}
+	return c.addToBatch(ctx, src, in, src.Size(), tr)
+}
+
+// Copy does operations.Copy via the cluster.
+//
+// Copy src object to dst or fdst if nil.  If dst is nil then it uses
+// remote as the name of the new object.
+func (c *Cluster) Copy(ctx context.Context, fdst fs.Fs, dst fs.Object, remote string, src fs.Object) (err error) {
+	tr := accounting.Stats(ctx).NewTransfer(src, fdst)
+	if operations.SkipDestructive(ctx, src, "cluster copy") {
+		in := tr.Account(ctx, nil)
+		in.DryRun(src.Size())
+		tr.Done(ctx, nil)
+		return nil
+	}
+	fsrc, ok := src.Fs().(fs.Fs)
+	if !ok {
+		err = errors.New("internal error: cluster copy: can't cast src.Fs() to fs.Fs")
+		tr.Done(ctx, err)
+		return err
+	}
+	in := rc.Params{
+		"_path":     "operations/copyfile",
+		"dstFs":     fs.ConfigStringFull(fdst),
+		"dstRemote": remote,
+		"srcFs":     fs.ConfigStringFull(fsrc),
+		"srcRemote": src.Remote(),
+	}
+	if dst != nil {
+		in["dstRemote"] = dst.Remote()
+	}
+	return c.addToBatch(ctx, src, in, src.Size(), tr)
+}
+
+// DeleteFile does operations.DeleteFile via the cluster
+//
+// If useBackupDir is set and --backup-dir is in effect then it moves
+// the file to there instead of deleting
+func (c *Cluster) DeleteFile(ctx context.Context, dst fs.Object) (err error) {
+	tr := accounting.Stats(ctx).NewCheckingTransfer(dst, "deleting")
+	err = accounting.Stats(ctx).DeleteFile(ctx, dst.Size())
+	if err != nil {
+		tr.Done(ctx, err)
+		return err
+	}
+	if operations.SkipDestructive(ctx, dst, "cluster delete") {
+		tr.Done(ctx, nil)
+		return
+	}
+	fdst, ok := dst.Fs().(fs.Fs)
+	if !ok {
+		err = errors.New("internal error: cluster delete: can't cast dst.Fs() to fs.Fs")
+		tr.Done(ctx, nil)
+		return err
+	}
+	in := rc.Params{
+		"_path":  "operations/deletefile",
+		"fs":     fs.ConfigStringFull(fdst),
+		"remote": dst.Remote(),
+	}
+	return c.addToBatch(ctx, dst, in, 0, tr)
+}
+
+// processCompletedJob loads the job and checks it off
+func (c *Cluster) processCompletedJob(ctx context.Context, obj fs.Object) error {
+	name := path.Base(obj.Remote())
+	name, _ = strings.CutSuffix(name, ".json")
+	fs.Debugf(nil, "cluster: processing completed job %q", name)
+
+	var output BatchResult
+	err := c.jobs.readJob(ctx, obj, &output)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("check jobs read: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	c.mu.Lock()
+	input, ok := c.inflight[name]
+	// FIXME delete or save job
+	if !ok {
+		for k := range c.inflight {
+			fs.Debugf(nil, "key %q", k)
+		}
+		c.mu.Unlock()
+		return fmt.Errorf("check jobs: job %q not found", name)
+	}
+	c.mu.Unlock()
+
+	// Delete the inflight entry when batch is processed
+	defer func() {
+		c.mu.Lock()
+		delete(c.inflight, name)
+		c.mu.Unlock()
+	}()
+
+	// Check job
+	if output.Error != "" {
+		return fmt.Errorf("cluster: failed to run batch job: %s (%d)", output.Error, output.Status)
+	}
+	if len(input.Inputs) != len(output.Results) {
+		return fmt.Errorf("cluster: input had %d jobs but output had %d", len(input.Inputs), len(output.Results))
+	}
+
+	// Run through the batch and mark operations as successful or not
+	for i := range input.Inputs {
+		in := input.Inputs[i]
+		tr := input.trs[i]
+		size := input.sizes[i]
+		out := output.Results[i]
+		errorString, hasError := out["error"]
+		var err error
+		if hasError && errorString != "" {
+			err = fmt.Errorf("cluster: worker error: %s (%v)", errorString, out["status"])
+		}
+		if err == nil && in["_path"] == "operations/movefile" {
+			accounting.Stats(ctx).Renames(1)
+		}
+		acc := tr.Account(ctx, nil)
+		acc.AccountReadN(size)
+		tr.Done(ctx, err)
+		remote, ok := in["dstRemote"]
+		if !ok {
+			remote = in["remote"]
+		}
+		if err == nil {
+			fs.Infof(remote, "cluster %s successful", in["_path"])
+		} else {
+			fs.Errorf(remote, "cluster %s failed: %v", in["_path"], err)
+		}
+	}
+
+	return nil
+}
+
+// checkJobs sees if there are any completed jobs
+func (c *Cluster) checkJobs(ctx context.Context) {
+	objs, err := c.jobs.listDir(ctx, clusterDone)
+	if err != nil {
+		fs.Errorf(nil, "cluster: get completed job list failed: %v", err)
+		return
+	}
+	for _, obj := range objs {
+		err := c.processCompletedJob(ctx, obj)
+		status := "output-ok"
+		ok := true
+		if err != nil {
+			status = "output-failed"
+			ok = false
+			fs.Errorf(nil, "cluster: process completed job failed: %v", err)
+		}
+		c.jobs.finish(ctx, obj, status, ok)
+	}
+}
+
+// Run the background process
+func (c *Cluster) run(ctx context.Context) {
+	defer c.wg.Done()
+	checkJobs := time.NewTicker(clusterCheckJobsInterval)
+	defer checkJobs.Stop()
+	var syncedChans []chan<- struct{}
+	for {
+		select {
+		case <-ctx.Done():
+			return
+		case <-c.quit:
+			fs.Debugf(nil, "cluster: quit request received")
+			return
+		case synced := <-c.sync:
+			syncedChans = append(syncedChans, synced)
+			fs.Debugf(nil, "cluster: sync request received")
+		case <-checkJobs.C:
+		}
+		c.checkJobs(ctx)
+		if len(syncedChans) > 0 {
+			c.mu.Lock()
+			n := len(c.inflight)
+			c.mu.Unlock()
+			if n == 0 {
+				fs.Debugf(nil, "cluster: synced")
+				for _, synced := range syncedChans {
+					synced <- struct{}{}
+				}
+				syncedChans = nil
+			}
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+// Sync the cluster.
+//
+// Call this when all job items have been added to the cluster.
+//
+// This will wait for any outstanding jobs to finish regardless of who
+// put them in
+func (c *Cluster) Sync(ctx context.Context) error {
+	// Flush any outstanding
+	c.mu.Lock()
+	err := c.sendBatch(ctx)
+	c.mu.Unlock()
+
+	// Wait for the cluster to be empty
+	done := make(chan struct{})
+	c.sync <- done
+	<-done
+
+	return err
+}
+
+// Shutdown the cluster.
+//
+// Call this when all job items have been added to the cluster.
+//
+// This will wait for any outstanding jobs to finish.
+func (c *Cluster) Shutdown(ctx context.Context) (err error) {
+	c.mu.Lock()
+	inBatch := len(c.currentBatch.Inputs)
+	inFlight := len(c.inflight)
+	shutdown := c.shutdown
+	c.shutdown = true
+	c.mu.Unlock()
+
+	if inBatch > 0 {
+		err = errors.Join(nil, fmt.Errorf("%d items batched on cluster shutdown", inBatch))
+	}
+	if inFlight > 0 {
+		err = errors.Join(nil, fmt.Errorf("%d items in flight on cluster shutdown", inFlight))
+	}
+	if shutdown {
+		fs.Debugf(nil, "cluster: already shutdown")
+		return nil
+	}
+	c.quit <- struct{}{}
+	fs.Debugf(nil, "Waiting for cluster to finish")
+	c.wg.Wait()
+
+	// Send a quit job
+	if c.quitWorkers {
+		fs.Logf(nil, "Sending quit to workers")
+		quitErr := c.jobs.writeQuitJob(ctx, clusterPending)
+		if quitErr != nil {
+			err = errors.Join(err, fmt.Errorf("shutdown quit: %w", quitErr))
+		}
+	}
+	return err
+}
+
+// Abort the cluster and any outstanding jobs.
+func (c *Cluster) Abort() {
+	c.cancel()
+	c.wg.Wait()
+}
diff --git a/fs/cluster/jobs.go b/fs/cluster/jobs.go
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..7057c88da
--- /dev/null
+++ b/fs/cluster/jobs.go
@@ -0,0 +1,293 @@
+package cluster
+
+import (
+	"bytes"
+	"cmp"
+	"context"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"errors"
+	"fmt"
+	"io"
+	"os"
+	"path"
+	"slices"
+	"strings"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/rclone/rclone/fs"
+	"github.com/rclone/rclone/fs/cache"
+	"github.com/rclone/rclone/fs/hash"
+	"github.com/rclone/rclone/fs/object"
+	"github.com/rclone/rclone/fs/operations"
+	"github.com/rclone/rclone/lib/atexit"
+	"github.com/rclone/rclone/lib/pacer"
+	"github.com/rclone/rclone/lib/random"
+)
+
+// Batches flow from queue/pending to queue/processing/
+const (
+	clusterQueue      = "queue"
+	clusterPending    = clusterQueue + "/pending"
+	clusterProcessing = clusterQueue + "/processing"
+	clusterDone       = clusterQueue + "/done"
+	clusterFinished   = clusterQueue + "/finished"
+
+	minSleep      = 10 * time.Millisecond
+	maxSleep      = 2 * time.Second
+	decayConstant = 2 // bigger for slower decay, exponential
+
+	// Read the queue this often
+	clusterCheckJobsInterval = time.Second
+
+	// Name of job which signals to the workers to quit
+	quitJob = "QUIT"
+)
+
+// Jobs is a container for sending and receiving jobs to the cluster.
+type Jobs struct {
+	remote  string            // remote for job storage
+	f       fs.Fs             // cluster remote storage
+	partial bool              // do we need to write and rename
+	hasMove bool              // set if f has server side move otherwise has server side copy
+	cleanup fs.ClusterCleanup // how we cleanup the cluster files
+	pacer   *fs.Pacer         // To pace the API calls
+}
+
+// NewJobs creates a Jobs source from the config in ctx.
+//
+// It may return nil for no cluster is configured.
+func NewJobs(ctx context.Context) (*Jobs, error) {
+	ci := fs.GetConfig(ctx)
+	if ci.Cluster == "" {
+		return nil, nil
+	}
+	f, err := cache.Get(ctx, ci.Cluster)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("cluster remote creation: %w", err)
+	}
+	features := f.Features()
+	if features.Move == nil && features.Copy == nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("cluster remote must have server side move and %q doesn't", ci.Cluster)
+	}
+	jobs := &Jobs{
+		remote:  ci.Cluster,
+		f:       f,
+		partial: features.PartialUploads,
+		hasMove: features.Move != nil,
+		pacer:   fs.NewPacer(ctx, pacer.NewDefault(pacer.MinSleep(minSleep), pacer.MaxSleep(maxSleep), pacer.DecayConstant(decayConstant))),
+		cleanup: ci.ClusterCleanup,
+	}
+	return jobs, nil
+}
+
+// Create the cluster directory structure
+func (jobs *Jobs) createDirectoryStructure(ctx context.Context) (err error) {
+	for _, dir := range []string{clusterPending, clusterProcessing, clusterDone, clusterFinished} {
+		err = jobs.f.Mkdir(ctx, dir)
+		if err != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("cluster mkdir %q: %w", dir, err)
+		}
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+// rename a file
+//
+// if this returns fs.ErrorObjectNotFound then the file has already been renamed.
+func (jobs *Jobs) rename(ctx context.Context, src fs.Object, dstRemote string) (dst fs.Object, err error) {
+	features := jobs.f.Features()
+	if jobs.hasMove {
+		dst, err = features.Move(ctx, src, dstRemote)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("cluster: failed to rename job file: %w", err)
+		}
+	} else {
+		dst, err = features.Copy(ctx, src, dstRemote)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("cluster: failed to rename (copy phase) job file: %w", err)
+		}
+		err = src.Remove(ctx)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("cluster: failed to rename (delete phase) job file: %w", err)
+		}
+	}
+	return dst, nil
+}
+
+// Finish with a jobs file
+func (jobs *Jobs) finish(ctx context.Context, obj fs.Object, status string, ok bool) {
+	var err error
+	if (ok && jobs.cleanup == fs.ClusterCleanupCompleted) || jobs.cleanup == fs.ClusterCleanupFull {
+		err = obj.Remove(ctx)
+	} else {
+		name := path.Join(clusterFinished, status, path.Base(obj.Remote()))
+		_, err = jobs.rename(ctx, obj, name)
+	}
+	if err != nil {
+		fs.Errorf(nil, "cluster: removing completed job failed: %v", err)
+	}
+}
+
+// write buf into remote
+func (jobs *Jobs) writeFile(ctx context.Context, remote string, modTime time.Time, buf []byte) error {
+	partialRemote := remote
+	if jobs.partial {
+		partialRemote = remote + ".partial"
+	}
+	// Calculate hashes
+	w, err := hash.NewMultiHasherTypes(jobs.f.Hashes())
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	_, err = w.Write(buf)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	obji := object.NewStaticObjectInfo(partialRemote, modTime, int64(len(buf)), true, w.Sums(), jobs.f)
+	var obj fs.Object
+	err = jobs.pacer.Call(func() (bool, error) {
+		in := bytes.NewBuffer(buf)
+		obj, err = jobs.f.Put(ctx, in, obji)
+		if err != nil {
+			return true, fmt.Errorf("cluster: failed to write %q: %q", remote, err)
+		}
+		return false, nil
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	if jobs.partial {
+		obj, err = jobs.rename(ctx, obj, remote)
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+// write a job to a file returning the name
+func (jobs *Jobs) writeJob(ctx context.Context, where string, job any) (name string, err error) {
+	now := time.Now().UTC()
+	name = fmt.Sprintf("%s-%s", now.Format(time.RFC3339Nano), random.String(20))
+	remote := path.Join(where, name+".json")
+	buf, err := json.MarshalIndent(job, "", "\t")
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("cluster: job json: %w", err)
+	}
+	err = jobs.writeFile(ctx, remote, now, buf)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("cluster: job write: %w", err)
+	}
+	return name, nil
+}
+
+// write a quit job to a file
+func (jobs *Jobs) writeQuitJob(ctx context.Context, where string) (err error) {
+	now := time.Now().UTC()
+	remote := path.Join(where, quitJob+".json")
+	err = jobs.writeFile(ctx, remote, now, []byte("{}"))
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("cluster: quit job write: %w", err)
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+// read buf from object
+func (jobs *Jobs) readFile(ctx context.Context, o fs.Object) (buf []byte, err error) {
+	err = jobs.pacer.Call(func() (bool, error) {
+		in, err := operations.Open(ctx, o)
+		if err != nil {
+			return true, fmt.Errorf("cluster: failed to open %q: %w", o, err)
+		}
+		buf, err = io.ReadAll(in)
+		if err != nil {
+			return true, fmt.Errorf("cluster: failed to read %q: %w", o, err)
+		}
+		err = in.Close()
+		if err != nil {
+			return true, fmt.Errorf("cluster: failed to close %q: %w", o, err)
+		}
+		return false, nil
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	return buf, nil
+}
+
+// read a job from a file
+//
+// job should be a pointer to something to be unmarshalled
+func (jobs *Jobs) readJob(ctx context.Context, obj fs.Object, job any) error {
+	buf, err := jobs.readFile(ctx, obj)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("cluster: job read: %w", err)
+	}
+	err = json.Unmarshal(buf, job)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("cluster: job read json: %w", err)
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+// lists the json files in a cluster directory
+func (jobs *Jobs) listDir(ctx context.Context, dir string) (objects []fs.Object, err error) {
+	entries, err := jobs.f.List(ctx, dir)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("cluster: failed to list %q: %w", dir, err)
+	}
+	entries.ForObject(func(o fs.Object) {
+		if strings.HasSuffix(o.Remote(), ".json") {
+			objects = append(objects, o)
+		}
+	})
+	slices.SortStableFunc(objects, func(a, b fs.Object) int {
+		return cmp.Compare(a.Remote(), b.Remote())
+	})
+	return objects, nil
+}
+
+// get a job from pending if there is one available.
+//
+// Returns a nil object if no jobs are available.
+//
+// FIXME should mark jobs as error jobs in here if they can't be read properly?
+func (jobs *Jobs) getJob(ctx context.Context, id string) (name string, obj fs.Object, err error) {
+	objs, err := jobs.listDir(ctx, clusterPending)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", nil, fmt.Errorf("get job list: %w", err)
+	}
+	quit := false
+	for len(objs) > 0 {
+		obj = objs[0]
+		objs = objs[1:]
+		name = path.Base(obj.Remote())
+		name, _ = strings.CutSuffix(name, ".json")
+
+		// See if we have been asked to quit
+		if name == quitJob {
+			quit = true
+			continue
+		}
+
+		// claim the job
+		newName := fmt.Sprintf("%s-%s.json", name, id)
+		newRemote := path.Join(clusterProcessing, newName)
+		obj, err = jobs.rename(ctx, obj, newRemote)
+		if errors.Is(err, fs.ErrorObjectNotFound) {
+			// claim failed - try again
+			continue
+		}
+		if err != nil {
+			return "", nil, fmt.Errorf("get job claim: %w", err)
+		}
+		return name, obj, nil
+	}
+	// No jobs found
+	if quit {
+		fs.Logf(nil, "Exiting cluster worker on command")
+		atexit.Run()
+		os.Exit(0)
+	}
+	return "", nil, nil
+}
diff --git a/fs/cluster/worker.go b/fs/cluster/worker.go
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..7c5a5f592
--- /dev/null
+++ b/fs/cluster/worker.go
@@ -0,0 +1,101 @@
+package cluster
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"path"
+	"sync"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/rclone/rclone/fs"
+	"github.com/rclone/rclone/fs/rc/jobs"
+	"github.com/rclone/rclone/lib/random"
+)
+
+// Worker describes a single instance of a cluster worker.
+type Worker struct {
+	jobs   *Jobs
+	cancel func()         // stop bg job
+	wg     sync.WaitGroup //  bg job finished
+	id     string         // id of this worker
+}
+
+// NewWorker creates a new cluster from the config in ctx.
+//
+// It may return nil for no cluster is configured.
+func NewWorker(ctx context.Context) (*Worker, error) {
+	ci := fs.GetConfig(ctx)
+	if ci.Cluster == "" {
+		return nil, nil
+	}
+	jobs, err := NewJobs(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	w := &Worker{
+		jobs: jobs,
+		id:   ci.ClusterID,
+	}
+	if w.id == "" {
+		w.id = random.String(10)
+	}
+
+	// Start the background worker
+	bgCtx, cancel := context.WithCancel(context.Background())
+	w.cancel = cancel
+	w.wg.Add(1)
+	go w.run(bgCtx)
+
+	fs.Logf(w.jobs.f, "Started cluster worker")
+
+	return w, nil
+}
+
+// Check to see if a job exists and run it if available
+func (w *Worker) checkJobs(ctx context.Context) {
+	name, obj, err := w.jobs.getJob(ctx, w.id)
+	if err != nil {
+		fs.Errorf(nil, "check jobs get: %v", err)
+		return
+	}
+	if obj == nil {
+		return // no jobs available
+	}
+	fs.Debugf(nil, "cluster: processing pending job %q", name)
+	inBuf, err := w.jobs.readFile(ctx, obj)
+	if err != nil {
+		fs.Errorf(nil, "check jobs read: %v", err)
+		w.jobs.finish(ctx, obj, "input-error", false)
+		return
+	}
+	w.jobs.finish(ctx, obj, "input-ok", true)
+	outBuf := jobs.NewJobFromBytes(ctx, inBuf)
+	remote := path.Join(clusterDone, name+".json")
+	err = w.jobs.writeFile(ctx, remote, time.Now(), outBuf)
+	if err != nil {
+		fs.Errorf(nil, "check jobs failed to write output: %v", err)
+		return
+	}
+	fs.Debugf(nil, "cluster: processed pending job %q", name)
+}
+
+// Run the background process
+func (w *Worker) run(ctx context.Context) {
+	defer w.wg.Done()
+	checkJobs := time.NewTicker(clusterCheckJobsInterval)
+	defer checkJobs.Stop()
+	for {
+		select {
+		case <-ctx.Done():
+			return
+		case <-checkJobs.C:
+			w.checkJobs(ctx)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+// Shutdown the worker regardless of whether it has work to process or not.
+func (w *Worker) Shutdown(ctx context.Context) error {
+	w.cancel()
+	w.wg.Wait()
+	return nil
+}
diff --git a/fs/config.go b/fs/config.go
index ce0a1df9e..d2e51cec6 100644
--- a/fs/config.go
+++ b/fs/config.go
@@ -50,6 +50,34 @@ var (
 	ConfigEdit = "config_fs_edit"
 )
 
+// ClusterCleanup describes the cluster cleanup choices.
+type ClusterCleanup = Enum[clusterCleanupChoices]
+
+// Cluster cleanup choices.
+//
+//	ClusterCleanupNone      don't remove any cluster files
+//	ClusterCleanupCompleted remove successfully completed jobs
+//	ClusterCleanupFull      remove everything on exit
+const (
+	ClusterCleanupNone ClusterCleanup = iota
+	ClusterCleanupCompleted
+	ClusterCleanupFull
+)
+
+type clusterCleanupChoices struct{}
+
+func (clusterCleanupChoices) Choices() []string {
+	return []string{
+		ClusterCleanupNone:      "none",
+		ClusterCleanupCompleted: "completed",
+		ClusterCleanupFull:      "full",
+	}
+}
+
+func (clusterCleanupChoices) Type() string {
+	return "ClusterCleanup"
+}
+
 // ConfigOptionsInfo describes the Options in use
 var ConfigOptionsInfo = Options{{
 	Name:    "modify_window",
@@ -566,6 +594,36 @@ var ConfigOptionsInfo = Options{{
 	Default: "",
 	Help:    "HTTP proxy URL.",
 	Groups:  "Networking",
+}, {
+	Name:    "cluster",
+	Default: "",
+	Help:    "Enable cluster mode with remote to use as shared storage.",
+	Groups:  "Networking",
+}, {
+	Name:    "cluster_id",
+	Default: "",
+	Help:    "Set to an ID for the cluster. An ID of 0 or empty becomes the controller.",
+	Groups:  "Networking",
+}, {
+	Name:    "cluster_quit_workers",
+	Default: false,
+	Help:    "Set to cause the controller to quit the workers when it finished.",
+	Groups:  "Networking",
+}, {
+	Name:    "cluster_batch_files",
+	Default: 1000,
+	Help:    "Max number of files for a cluster batch.",
+	Groups:  "Networking",
+}, {
+	Name:    "cluster_batch_size",
+	Default: Tebi,
+	Help:    "Max size of files for a cluster batch.",
+	Groups:  "Networking",
+}, {
+	Name:    "cluster_cleanup",
+	Default: ClusterCleanupFull,
+	Help:    "Control which cluster files get cleaned up.",
+	Groups:  "Networking",
 }}
 
 // ConfigInfo is filesystem config options
@@ -680,6 +738,12 @@ type ConfigInfo struct {
 	MaxConnections             int               `config:"max_connections"`
 	NameTransform              []string          `config:"name_transform"`
 	HTTPProxy                  string            `config:"http_proxy"`
+	Cluster                    string            `config:"cluster"`
+	ClusterID                  string            `config:"cluster_id"`
+	ClusterQuitWorkers         bool              `config:"cluster_quit_workers"`
+	ClusterBatchFiles          int               `config:"cluster_batch_files"`
+	ClusterBatchSize           SizeSuffix        `config:"cluster_batch_size"`
+	ClusterCleanup             ClusterCleanup    `config:"cluster_cleanup"`
 }
 
 func init() {