Colab Extras

Everyday tools for Google Colab. Inspect, ZIP, download, and delete folders without running a notebook cell.

Manage folders directly from Google Colab's Files sidebar. Right-click a folder to inspect it, create a ZIP, download a ZIP, or delete a non-empty folder. FOLDER ACTIONS • Folder details — view total file size, exact bytes, file and subfolder counts, symbolic links, and the 10 largest files. The dialog follows Colab's light or dark theme. • ZIP only — create a ZIP beside the selected folder. Existing archives are preserved using numbered filenames. • ZIP and download — create the ZIP and start downloading it to your computer. • Delete folder and contents — remove a folder and its nested contents after confirming the displayed path. ZIP actions start immediately, with progress beside the folder. Right-click again to cancel an active ZIP. Folder scans can be cancelled from their dialog. No persistent floating panel is added. HOW TO USE 1. Open a Google Colab notebook and connect to a compatible hosted runtime. 2. Open the Files sidebar. 3. Right-click a folder and select a Colab Extras action. RUNTIME REQUIREMENTS Requires Chrome 120 or later and a connected hosted Colab runtime with Python 3.8 or later and access to independent Jupyter terminals. Availability can depend on your Colab plan and runtime configuration. If terminal access is unavailable, the extension reports an error; it does not fall back to running a notebook cell. Keep the Colab tab and runtime connected until an operation completes. Operations run in a separate process on the same Colab virtual machine. They still use that runtime's CPU, memory, and disk. ZIP creation needs enough free disk space and a writable destination. Very large or actively changing folders may fail; this is not a filesystem snapshot. DELETION AND FOLDER DETAILS Deletion is permanent, bypasses Trash, and also applies to selected folders on mounted drives. There is no undo. Runtime roots and standard Drive roots are protected. Folder details reads metadata, includes hidden files, and counts symbolic links without following their targets. Unreadable or changing entries are reported as incomplete totals. PRIVACY No ads, analytics, extension account, or external compression service. The extension handles selected folder information in your browser and connected Colab runtime. It does not send your files or notebook data to the developer. Read the privacy policy for details about temporary files, downloads, and data handling. Colab Extras is an independent extension and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Google. Colab's internal interfaces can change and may require an extension update.