FileSide

Browse local folders from a Chrome side panel.

FileSide keeps your local files beside the webpage you are using. It opens in Chrome’s side panel, so you can browse a folder, search by name, and put a file into a file field without leaving the tab. How to use it • Click Add files to pick one or more files. This works for files inside Downloads. • Or click Connect folder. Do not pick Downloads, Desktop, Documents, or Home. Chrome blocks those. Pick a folder inside them, or drop a folder onto the panel. • Search by file name or path. Folders show up in search too. • Check files to select more than one. • Drag a file onto a file field on the current page. The first time, Chrome may ask you to allow FileSide on that page. What FileSide does not do • It has no account and no server. • Files stay on your computer. Folder access uses Chrome’s File System Access API. • Chrome may ask for folder access again after you close the side panel. Click Allow access, then choose “Allow on every visit” if Chrome offers it. Limits • Chrome cannot open Downloads, Desktop, Documents, or Home as the root folder. • Drop onto the page fills a real file input. Custom drop zones often ignore this. • Each dropped file must be under 8 MB. Keyboard • Open FileSide: Command-Shift-E on Mac, Ctrl-Shift-E on Windows and Linux. • You can also right-click a page and choose Open FileSide.