File Browser — Self-Hosted Web File Manager

Introduction

File Browser provides a clean web interface for managing files on any server. It turns any directory into a shareable file hosting service with user accounts, permissions, and a built-in code editor — all packed into a single Go binary.

What File Browser Does

• Browse, upload, download, and manage files and directories through a web UI
• Create and edit text files directly in the browser with syntax highlighting
• Share files and folders via public or password-protected links
• Manage multiple users with individual permissions and home directories
• Execute custom shell commands on files through configurable actions

Architecture Overview

File Browser is a single Go binary with an embedded Vue.js frontend. It uses BoltDB (bbolt) as its default database for storing user accounts and configuration. The server handles HTTP requests, file system operations, and an optional built-in WebDAV server. No external dependencies like databases or caches are required.

Self-Hosting & Configuration

• Install via single binary, Docker, or system package managers
• Configure scope (root directory), port, address, and base URL via CLI flags or config file
• Set up user accounts with customizable permissions (create, rename, delete, share, execute)
• Enable HTTPS with built-in TLS support or behind a reverse proxy
• Customize branding with custom CSS, logo, and login page appearance

Key Features

• Single binary with zero dependencies — runs anywhere Go compiles
• Built-in file editor with syntax highlighting for 100+ languages
• File sharing via direct links with optional password protection and expiry
• Multi-user support with role-based access and per-user home directories
• Custom command runner for executing server-side scripts on selected files

Comparison with Similar Tools

• Nextcloud — Full collaboration suite with calendar and contacts, but much heavier to run
• Seafile — File sync and share platform with better sync clients, but more complex setup
• MinIO Console — Object storage browser optimized for S3, not a general file manager
• h5ai — Static directory listing tool without upload, user management, or editing capabilities

FAQ

Q: What are the default login credentials? A: The default username is admin and password is admin. Change these immediately after first login.

Q: Can I use File Browser as a simple file sharing service? A: Yes. Users can generate shareable links for files and folders with optional password protection and expiration dates.

Q: Does File Browser support WebDAV? A: File Browser does not expose a WebDAV endpoint directly, but you can pair it with a separate WebDAV server if needed.

Q: How do I restrict users to specific directories? A: Each user can be assigned a scope (home directory) and specific permissions. Users cannot navigate outside their assigned scope.

Sources

• https://github.com/filebrowser/filebrowser
• https://filebrowser.org