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SPECIFICTION
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filex

filex.sh

WebWindowsmacOSLinuxAPISelf-hosted
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Spec score 7.6 #17 of 26 in WebDAV Client Software

What it is

Filex is an open-source, MIT-licensed self-hosted file manager distributed as a single Go binary or container. It can mount local disks and storage such as S3, SFTP, FTP, WebDAV, and SMB/CIFS, with plugins for other backends. The same files can be served through S3, SFTP, FTPS, NFSv3, WebDAV, and HTTPS. Search covers filenames and file contents; trash retention and version history are also included. Access controls include roles, inherited item-level grants, and public links with optional PINs, expiration, and download caps. Sign-in options include local passwords, OIDC, LDAP or Active Directory, and proxy headers. Filex has web access and desktop apps for Windows, Linux, and macOS; desktop and CLI clients support two-way folder sync. Office files have a read-only browser preview unless an optional self-hosted OnlyOffice Document Server is used for editing and co-authoring. SQLite is the default database, with PostgreSQL supported for team deployments. Filex is free and open source.

Spec sheet

Product
Filex is an open-source, MIT-licensed self-hosted file manager delivered as a single Go binary.Read 4 Oct 2026 · filex.sh
Deployment
Filex runs as a binary or container, uses SQLite by default, and supports PostgreSQL for team deployments.Read 4 Oct 2026 · filex.sh
Integrations
The site documents self-hosted ONLYOFFICE for editing Office documents and Tesseract for including scanned pages in search.Read 4 Oct 2026 · filex.sh
Security
Features include role-based access, per-item grants, PIN and expiry controls for public links, and optional ClamAV scanning of written files.Read 4 Oct 2026 · filex.sh
Company
BRF Tech describes itself as a Bursa-based DevSecOps and software consultancy.Read 4 Oct 2026 · brf.sh
Maker
The site credits BRF Tech as the maker and says FileX is built and run in production there.Read 4 Oct 2026 · filex.sh
Access control
It supports roles, per-item grants with inheritance, and public links that can use a PIN, expiry and download cap.Read 4 Oct 2026 · filex.sh
AI integration
A built-in MCP server and token-authenticated REST surface let AI agents work with files within their granted scope.Read 4 Oct 2026 · filex.sh
Deployment options
The site lists Docker Compose, a Helm chart, and listings for Umbrel, CasaOS, Runtipi, Portainer and Unraid.Read 4 Oct 2026 · filex.sh
Desktop
Desktop apps are available for Windows, Linux and macOS, with portable builds also listed for each platform.Read 4 Oct 2026 · filex.sh
Desktop platforms
The desktop app is available for Windows, Linux and macOS; the site lists Windows, Linux and macOS packages and command-line installation options.Read 4 Oct 2026 · filex.sh
Embedding
The explorer can be embedded in other products as a Vue 3 component, React adapter or framework-agnostic web component.Read 4 Oct 2026 · filex.sh
Embedding and API
The explorer is available as Vue 3 and React components and a framework-agnostic web component, with a token-scoped REST API and built-in MCP server.Read 4 Oct 2026 · filex.sh
Encryption
End-to-end encrypted folders store ciphertext on the server without sending it the encryption key.Read 4 Oct 2026 · docs.filex.sh
Office editing
In-browser Office editing and co-authoring use an optional self-hosted OnlyOffice Document Server; without it, Office files have a read-only preview.Read 4 Oct 2026 · docs.filex.sh
Protocols
It serves the same files over S3, SFTP, FTPS, NFSv3, WebDAV and HTTPS.Read 4 Oct 2026 · filex.sh
Search and history
Filex searches mounted storage by filename and file contents, and includes trash retention and version history.Read 4 Oct 2026 · filex.sh
Search and retention
It searches mounted storage by filename and file contents, and includes trash with a retention window and version history.Read 4 Oct 2026 · filex.sh
Sign-in
Supported sign-in methods include local passwords, OIDC, LDAP or Active Directory, and proxy headers.Read 4 Oct 2026 · filex.sh
Storage
Built-in storage drivers connect local disk, S3, SFTP, FTP, WebDAV and SMB/NAS; additional storage backends can be added with plugins.Read 4 Oct 2026 · filex.sh
Sync and CLI
Desktop and CLI clients support two-way folder sync, and the CLI can mount a remote server over HTTPS as a local folder or drive letter.Read 4 Oct 2026 · filex.sh
WebAssembly apps
FileX supports sandboxed WebAssembly apps, which undergo permission review and require review before an update requesting additional permissions is installed.Read 4 Oct 2026 · filex.sh

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Mounts local disks and several remote storage types.
  • Serves files over six listed protocols.
  • Searches filenames and file contents.
  • Desktop and CLI clients support two-way folder sync.
  • Supports roles, inherited grants, and configurable public links.

Limits

  • Office editing requires an optional self-hosted OnlyOffice server.
  • Office files otherwise have read-only browser previews.
  • Team deployments using PostgreSQL require a different database setup.

Who it suits

Filex suits people or teams seeking a self-hosted file manager across local and remote storage. Its access controls, deployment options, APIs, and sync clients also fit deployments that need integration or team-specific setup.

Verdict

Filex combines self-hosting, broad storage and protocol support, and granular access controls in a free open-source package. Office editing depends on a separately self-hosted OnlyOffice server; otherwise, browser previews are read-only.

Where Specifiction places it

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