Introduction

The self-hosted File Browser (often called filebrowser) is a lightweight open-source web app you can run in Docker (or directly on your system) that lets you manage files on your server through a browser-based interface. Think of it as a simpler, self-hosted alternative to services like Google Drive or Dropbox, but without syncing—just a web file manager.

Here’s a breakdown:

What File Browser Does

• Provides a web-based file manager where you can browse, upload, download, rename, move, copy, and delete files.

• Lets you edit text/code files directly in the browser.

• Includes a built-in media previewer (images, audio, video).

• Can serve as a lightweight file sharing service by creating share links.

• Supports user management with permissions and roles.

• Has an API if you want to integrate it into scripts or other services.

Why Use It

• Easy way to manage files on a VPS, NAS, Raspberry Pi, or home server.

• Simpler and more lightweight than full solutions like Nextcloud.

• Runs anywhere with Docker, very little setup.