Open File Bridge

Give Open WebUI controlled access to a user-selected local folder, with local-only storage and an allowed-site lock.

Turn Open WebUI into your Cowork — one that works in the folders on your own computer that you pick (one or several). Your AI chat can then list, read, write, search, OCR, and convert files in those folders. The extension processes files locally and returns requested results to the Open WebUI site you allow. That site and your connected AI provider may process the data remotely under their own privacy terms. Why: Open WebUI's code interpreter runs in a sandbox that cannot touch your files. Open File Bridge gives it a locked door — you choose the folder(s), you choose the ONE website allowed to use the door, and the extension enforces both. How it works: 1. Pick a folder in the extension's settings (add more whenever you like). 2. Allow your Open WebUI address (for example http://127.0.0.1:8080 or https://chat.example.com) and optionally set a bridge token. 3. Install the bridge skill in Open WebUI (copy-paste from the GitHub repo) and turn on the code interpreter in a new chat. 4. Ask: "list the files in my folder", or "write the summary to notes.md". Safety model: - Only the folders you chose — nothing outside them is visible, and each folder can be set read-only or read/write on its own. - Site lock — requests are checked against the Open WebUI origin you configure; an optional bridge token adds another check. - Approve/Deny cards inside the chat page for deletes and overwrites; overwrites normally retain the previous version, subject to snapshot size limits and filesystem availability; deletes go to a 30-day trash. Recovery copies are files inside the selected folders; uninstalling the extension does not remove them. - Read-only mode, write-rate brake, ignore patterns, and built-in refusal of credential-looking files (.env, id_rsa, *.pem, …). - Local-first: no built-in cloud storage, extension account, analytics, or telemetry. Requested file data is returned only to your configured Open WebUI site. Its hosting and connected AI services have their own data policies. Extras: OCR in 20+ languages (runs locally in the extension), PDF text extraction, xlsx→csv and docx→html conversion, and full-text search. Where your Open WebUI must run: anywhere you can install the bridge skill — on the same computer (localhost), on an HTTPS LAN deployment, or on an HTTPS server you control. The current extension does not inject into ordinary plain-HTTP LAN addresses. For a public HTTPS deployment, also set a bridge token. Hosted Open WebUI services that don't let you install skills aren't supported. Requires Open WebUI with the code interpreter enabled. The bridge skill file, setup guide, and source code: https://github.com/Sparkling-AI/open-file-bridge