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The Send library (libs/tools/send) provides secure, ephemeral sharing functionality for Bitwarden. Send allows users to transmit sensitive information (text or files) to anyone through an encrypted, self-destructing link.

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Overview

The Send library is split into two main packages:
  • @bitwarden/send-core - Core types, models, and services for Send functionality
  • @bitwarden/send-ui - Angular UI components for Send management
Send is currently used by:
  • Bitwarden Web Vault
  • Desktop Application
  • Browser Extension
  • CLI

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Architecture

The Send library follows a service-oriented architecture with clear separation between core business logic and UI presentation.

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Core Services

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SendFormService

File: libs/tools/send/send-ui/src/send-form/abstractions/send-form.service.ts Service for creating and modifying Sends, handling encryption and server communication. Methods: 
abstract class SendFormService {
  // Decrypt a send for viewing
  abstract decryptSend(send: Send): Promise<SendView>;

  // Save new or modified send to server
  abstract saveSend(
    send: SendView,
    file: File | ArrayBuffer,
    config: SendFormConfig,
  ): Promise<SendView>;
}

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SendItemsService

File: libs/tools/send/send-ui/src/services/send-items.service.ts Manages the list of user’s Sends, providing filtering, sorting, and state management.

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SendListFiltersService

File: libs/tools/send/send-ui/src/services/send-list-filters.service.ts Handles filtering logic for Send lists (by type, expiration, deletion date, etc.).

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Send Types

Sends support two content types:

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Text Send

Shares text content securely. The text is encrypted and can only be accessed through the generated link. Properties:
  • Text content (encrypted)
  • Optional hiding of text (requires manual reveal)
  • Maximum access count
  • Expiration date
  • Deletion date
  • Password protection

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File Send

Shares files securely. Files are encrypted before upload and can only be downloaded through the generated link. Properties:
  • Encrypted file (up to 1GB for premium users)
  • File name and size
  • Maximum access count
  • Expiration date
  • Deletion date
  • Password protection

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Components

Located in libs/tools/send/send-ui/src/

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SendFormComponent

File: send-form/components/send-form.component.ts Main component for creating and editing Sends. Provides a complete form interface with validation. Usage: 
import { SendFormComponent } from '@bitwarden/send-ui';

@Component({
  selector: 'app-create-send',
  template: `
    <tools-send-form
      [config]="config"
      [originalSendView]="existingSend"
      (sendSaved)="onSendSaved($event)">
    </tools-send-form>
  `
})
export class CreateSendComponent {
  config: SendFormConfig;
  existingSend?: SendView;

  onSendSaved(send: SendView) {
    // Handle saved send
  }
}

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SendDetailsComponent

File: send-form/components/send-details/send-details.component.ts Component for displaying and editing Send details (name, notes, etc.).

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SendFileDetailsComponent

File: send-form/components/send-details/send-file-details.component.ts Component specifically for file Send details, including file selection and upload.

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SendTextDetailsComponent

File: send-form/components/send-details/send-text-details.component.ts Component for text Send details, including text input and hiding options.

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SendListComponent

File: send-list/send-list.component.ts Displays a list of user’s Sends with filtering and search capabilities. Usage: 
import { SendListComponent } from '@bitwarden/send-ui';

@Component({
  selector: 'app-sends',
  template: `
    <tools-send-list
      [filter]="currentFilter"
      (sendSelected)="onSelectSend($event)">
    </tools-send-list>
  `
})
export class SendsPageComponent {
  currentFilter = { type: null };

  onSelectSend(send: SendView) {
    // Handle send selection
  }
}

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SendTableComponent

File: send-table/send-table.component.ts Table view for displaying Sends with sortable columns.

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NewSendDropdownComponent

File: new-send-dropdown/new-send-dropdown.component.ts Dropdown menu for creating new Sends (text or file).

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SendSearchComponent

File: send-search/send-search.component.ts Search interface for filtering Sends by name or notes.

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SendListFiltersComponent

File: send-list-filters/send-list-filters.component.ts UI component for Send filtering options (type, status, etc.).

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Send Configuration

The SendFormConfig interface defines how the Send form behaves: 
interface SendFormConfig {
  // Mode: create, edit, or partial edit
  mode: "add" | "edit" | "partial-edit";
  
  // Send type: text or file
  sendType: SendType;
  
  // Allow type change
  areSendsAllowed: boolean;
  
  // Individual sends enabled
  individualSendsEnabled: boolean;
}

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Send Models

Sends use the following key models from @bitwarden/common:

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SendView

Decrypted Send data for display and editing: 
class SendView {
  id: string;
  name: string;
  notes: string;
  type: SendType;  // Text or File
  text?: SendTextView;
  file?: SendFileView;
  maxAccessCount?: number;
  accessCount: number;
  revisionDate: Date;
  deletionDate: Date;
  expirationDate?: Date;
  password?: string;
  disabled: boolean;
  hideEmail: boolean;
}

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Send

Encrypted Send data for storage: 
class Send {
  id: string;
  type: SendType;
  name: EncString;
  notes: EncString;
  text?: SendText;
  file?: SendFile;
  // ... other encrypted properties
}

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Creating a Send

Example: Creating a Text Send 
import { SendFormService, SendFormConfig } from '@bitwarden/send-ui';
import { SendView } from '@bitwarden/common/tools/send/models/view/send.view';
import { SendType } from '@bitwarden/common/tools/send/types/send-type';

constructor(private sendFormService: SendFormService) {}

async createTextSend(text: string) {
  const sendView = new SendView();
  sendView.type = SendType.Text;
  sendView.name = "My Secret Message";
  sendView.text = new SendTextView();
  sendView.text.text = text;
  sendView.deletionDate = new Date(Date.now() + 7 * 24 * 60 * 60 * 1000); // 7 days
  sendView.expirationDate = new Date(Date.now() + 24 * 60 * 60 * 1000); // 1 day
  sendView.maxAccessCount = 5;
  sendView.password = "optional-password";

  const config: SendFormConfig = {
    mode: "add",
    sendType: SendType.Text,
    areSendsAllowed: true,
    individualSendsEnabled: true
  };

  const savedSend = await this.sendFormService.saveSend(sendView, null, config);
  const shareUrl = `https://send.bitwarden.com/#${savedSend.accessId}/${savedSend.urlB64Key}`;
  return shareUrl;
}
Example: Creating a File Send 
async createFileSend(file: File) {
  const sendView = new SendView();
  sendView.type = SendType.File;
  sendView.name = "Secure File Share";
  sendView.file = new SendFileView();
  sendView.file.fileName = file.name;
  sendView.file.size = file.size;
  sendView.deletionDate = new Date(Date.now() + 7 * 24 * 60 * 60 * 1000);

  const config: SendFormConfig = {
    mode: "add",
    sendType: SendType.File,
    areSendsAllowed: true,
    individualSendsEnabled: true
  };

  const savedSend = await this.sendFormService.saveSend(sendView, file, config);
  return savedSend;
}

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Send Permissions

Send functionality can be restricted by:
  1. User Account Type - Premium features for file Sends
  2. Organization Policies - Admins can disable Send for users
  3. Send Limits - File size limits, access count limits

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Security Features

  • End-to-End Encryption - All Send content is encrypted before leaving the client
  • Zero-Knowledge - Bitwarden servers cannot decrypt Send content
  • Access Controls - Maximum access counts, expiration dates, deletion dates
  • Password Protection - Optional password requirement for accessing Sends
  • Email Hiding - Option to hide sender’s email from recipients
  • Audit Trail - Access count tracking

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Integration Example

Complete Send Workflow: 
import { 
  SendFormService,
  SendItemsService,
  SendListFiltersService 
} from '@bitwarden/send-ui';

@Component({
  selector: 'app-send-manager',
  templateUrl: './send-manager.component.html'
})
export class SendManagerComponent implements OnInit {
  sends$: Observable<SendView[]>;
  
  constructor(
    private sendFormService: SendFormService,
    private sendItemsService: SendItemsService,
    private sendListFiltersService: SendListFiltersService
  ) {}

  ngOnInit() {
    // Load user's sends
    this.sends$ = this.sendItemsService.getSends();
  }

  async createSend(type: SendType) {
    const sendView = new SendView();
    sendView.type = type;
    // Configure send...
    
    const config: SendFormConfig = { mode: "add", sendType: type };
    const saved = await this.sendFormService.saveSend(sendView, null, config);
    return saved;
  }

  async deleteSend(sendId: string) {
    // Delete send logic
  }
}

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