Ideally, I would when I create, edit, or delete a file, I would like of this to be reflected both on the iCloud drive and my local folder. Is this possible?
Anything in iCloud is also already on your Mac unless you choose to optimize files. If you have optimization on, then some files (your least accessed ones) may offload to iCloud only if space is needed on your device.
The way iCloud Drive works... basically when you turn it on all your files in your documents and desktop upload to iCloud. You'll be able to see all your folder icons in those areas on your Mac, but they are stored in iCloud. When you click on an individual document, it loads immediately to your device and you can edit and do what you want... when you are done it loads that back to iCloud, saving space. Then is syncs back to your other devices. You can edit and change documents and it syncs those changes to all your devices that also have iCloud Drive turned on.
So basically what you are asking is how iCloud does work. Your files are (in a way) on your device, but not fully downloaded until you click on it. But it downloads immediately. You won't even notice it. You click and it's there. The icon for each document is always there.
Your Mac will automatically save files to your Desktop and Documents folders to iCloud, making these files available across all your devices.
Add your Desktop and Documents files to iCloud Drive - Apple Support
Set up iCloud Drive - Apple Support
Use iCloud Drive on iCloud.com - Apple Support
This process of course assumes you have internet access. What happens when you need to work on a file on your Mac and you are on a plane (for example)? Based on your description, you have to ensure you have the file on your computer before you lose internet access. If this is correct, it is certainly not ideal!
You can create an untitled folder in finder > iCloud Drive and save files from documents .
Click on finder > Documents > click on folder > right click over the file and click on copy .
Again in finder > iCloud Drive , right click over the empty column , again create a folder and paste the item in it .
Next in finder > under Macintosh HD > there is an untitled folder beneath it > you can copy and paste files from iCloud Drive section folder or from Documents folder , this file will be saved in local untitled folder that is not synced with iCloud Drive .
When you have no internet connection ( for example travelling in plane ) and Mac is with you , you can open the file using preview , edit it , delete the page from untitled folder under Macintosh HD Add, delete or move PDF pages in Preview on Mac - Apple Support
How can I keep a local copy of my Documents folder on my Mac when using iCloud Drive?
