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What is copyparty?

copyparty is a portable file server that turns almost any device into a powerful file sharing solution with resumable uploads and downloads using any web browser.
Built with Python (2 or 3), copyparty runs everywhere with minimal dependencies. All optional dependencies enable additional features but aren’t required for core functionality.

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Key features

Universal browser support

Works with any web browser, even ancient ones. Upload and download files from IE6 to modern Chrome.

Resumable transfers

Uploads and downloads automatically resume after interruptions. Reboot your browser or PC and continue right where you left off.

Multiple protocols

Access your files through HTTP(S), WebDAV, SFTP, FTP(S), TFTP, and SMB/CIFS protocols.

Media features

Built-in audio player with OS integration, video thumbnails, image gallery, and on-the-fly audio transcoding.

File deduplication

Content-based deduplication using symlinks. Upload the same file multiple times and it only stores one copy.

Powerful search

Search by filename, path, size, date, or even MP3 tags. Drag and drop a file to find if it exists on the server.

Write-only folders

Create drop zones where users can upload files but can’t see what others have uploaded.

No filesize limits

Upload files of any size, even through Cloudflare. The up2k uploader chunks large files intelligently.

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Why copyparty?

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Runs anywhere

copyparty is designed with maximum portability in mind:
  • Cross-platform: Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, iOS, FreeBSD, and more
  • Minimal dependencies: Python is all you need for core features
  • Works on ancient and modern systems alike
  • No build steps required - modify JavaScript and Python code directly

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Powerful upload system

copyparty’s up2k uploader is truly resumable:
  • Files are processed in chunks with checksums
  • Uploads auto-resume after network interruptions
  • Resume even after rebooting your browser or computer
  • Server detects corruption and client re-uploads affected chunks
  • Handles files of any size with no limits
It’s perfectly safe to restart or upgrade copyparty while someone is uploading. All known up2k clients will resume automatically.

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Rich media experience

The built-in media player handles almost every audio format:
  • OS integration for lockscreen controls on Windows, iOS, and Android
  • Audio waveform display in the seekbar
  • Nearly gapless playback for albums
  • FFmpeg transcoding for unsupported formats
  • Video files can be played as audio-only

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Flexible permissions

Granular per-folder, per-user permissions:
  • r (read): Browse and download files
  • w (write): Upload files
  • m (move): Move files between folders
  • d (delete): Delete files and folders
  • g (get): Download files by direct URL only, no browsing
  • a (admin): See upload times, IPs, and reload config

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Backend capabilities

  • HTTP/HTTPS: Primary web interface
  • WebDAV: Mount as network drive
  • SFTP: Secure file transfers (~700 MiB/s)
  • FTP/FTPS: Traditional file transfer
  • TFTP: Simple transfers for embedded devices
  • SMB/CIFS: Windows network shares
  • IPv6 and unix sockets support
  • Multiprocessing for true multithreading
  • Reverse-proxy support
  • Zeroconf/mDNS/SSDP announcements
  • QR code generation for quick access
  • Cloudflare tunnel integration
  • Basic multipart upload (IE6 compatible)
  • up2k: Resumable, multithreaded uploads
  • Stash: Simple PUT file dropper
  • Filename randomizer
  • Write-only folders
  • Unpost: Undo accidental uploads (default 12 hours)
  • Self-destruct: Auto-delete after specified time
  • Race the beam: Download while still uploading
  • Symlink/discard duplicates based on content
  • Single file downloads
  • Download folders as ZIP or TAR archives
  • Audio transcoding to opus/mp3 on-the-fly
  • FUSE client for mounting as filesystem
  • Resume interrupted downloads
  • Directory tree sidebar (navpane)
  • File manager with cut/paste/delete/batch-rename
  • Audio player with OS media controls
  • Image gallery with WebM player
  • CBZ manga/comics reader
  • Text file viewer with syntax highlighting and live streaming
  • Markdown viewer and editor
  • Grid view with thumbnails
  • Multilingual UI (English, Norwegian, Chinese)
  • Single Page App (browse while uploading)

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Use cases

Emergency file transfer

Quick drop-in service to transfer files between any devices, even ancient systems. No setup required.

Home media server

Stream your music collection from anywhere with transcoding support and a beautiful player interface.

Secure file drop

Create write-only folders where people can send you files without seeing what others uploaded.

Team file sharing

Per-folder, per-user permissions with accounts, volumes, and flexible access controls.

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Platform support

copyparty runs on an impressive range of platforms:
  • Windows (7 and newer)
  • Linux (all distributions)
  • macOS
  • Android (via Termux)
  • iOS (via a-Shell)
  • FreeBSD
  • Architectures: x86, x86_64, ARM32/ARM64, ppc64le, s390x, RISC-V, even SGI IRIX

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Philosophy

copyparty follows an “inverse unix philosophy” - do all the things, and do an okay job:
  • Quick drop-in service to get many features in a pinch
  • Run anywhere, support everything
  • As many web browsers and Python versions as possible
  • Minimal dependencies (optional ones add bonus features)
  • No preparation necessary - just run the SFX
  • Adaptable, malleable, hackable - no build steps needed
Built in Norway with contributions from around the world. Available under the MIT license.

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Next steps

Quickstart

Get copyparty running in under 5 minutes

Installation

Detailed installation instructions for all platforms

Build docs developers (and LLMs) love

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