Embodiments of the present disclosure provide techniques for efficiently and accurately performing propagation of search-head specific configuration customizations across multiple individual configuration files of search heads of a cluster for a consistent user experience. The cluster of search heads may be synchronized such that the search heads operate to receive the configuration or knowledge object customizations from one or more clients from a central or lead search head. To reduce the amount of data that is transferred during propagation, the list of configuration or knowledge object customizations maintained in each search head is filtered from the list of the lead search head until a divergence point is determined. Once determined and communicated to the lead search head, the lead search head sends the configuration and knowledge object customization data that is absent from the internal list of the member search head.