Getting Started with PanicFldr

What is PanicFldr?

PanicFldr is a file sharing tool that serves files directly from your disk through encrypted PanicTunnl SSH tunnels. Point it at any folder, get a public HTTPS URL, and share it with anyone.

Unlike cloud storage, your files never leave your machine. There is no upload step, no storage quota, and no third-party server storing your data. When you stop the server, the files vanish from the internet.

How It Works

PanicFldr starts a local HTTP file server on a port you choose (default 8000). It generates a browsable web interface with file icons, sizes, and directory navigation.

A PanicTunnl SSH reverse tunnel connects your local server to a public HTTPS URL. Anyone with the link (and your PanicAuth password) can browse and download files.

The data path is: recipient's browser → PanicTunnl edge → encrypted SSH tunnel → your machine → your disk. No intermediate storage.

Quick Start (CLI)

Install the PanicFldr CLI. Then run: panicfldr serve ./my-folder

PanicFldr will start the file server, establish the tunnel, enable PanicAuth, and print a public HTTPS URL. Share that URL.

To stop sharing, press Ctrl+C or close the terminal. The URL becomes unreachable immediately.

Quick Start (GUI)

Launch the PanicFldr desktop app. Click "Browse" to select a folder. Optionally set a custom page title and port.

Click "Start Server" to begin serving locally. Click "Autoconnect Tunnel" to get a public HTTPS URL.

Share the URL with your recipients. Click "Stop Server" when you're done.

Security

All traffic flows through an E2E encrypted SSH tunnel. PanicAuth adds password protection so only authorized users can access your directory.

PanicFldr includes path traversal protection, HTML entity escaping, and proper URL encoding. Hidden files (starting with .) are automatically excluded from the listing.

Files are served read-only. There is no upload endpoint. Recipients can only download.

File Browser Interface

Recipients see a clean, dark-themed web interface with file type icons, human-readable file sizes (KB, MB, GB), and breadcrumb navigation.

Directories are sorted with folders first, then files alphabetically. The page title can be customized (e.g., "Project Assets" or "Design Files").

The interface is responsive and works on mobile, tablet, and desktop browsers.

Clients & Platforms

PanicFldr is available as a CLI client (terminal), a GUI desktop app (PyQt5), and native Android & iOS apps.

The CLI is ideal for headless servers, scripting, and automation. The GUI provides a point-and-click experience with real-time activity logging.

Mobile apps let you share folders from your phone directly.

Free & Paid Plans

Free tier: 12-hour tunnel sessions at 30 Mbps. No account required.

Base plan: Unlimited session duration at 100 Mbps with custom subdomains.

HomeLab plan: Everything in Base plus multiple concurrent tunnels, priority routing, and static URLs.

When to Use PanicFldr vs Cloud Storage

Use PanicFldr when: you need to share files immediately without upload wait, your files are too large for free cloud tiers, you need privacy (no third-party copies), or you want sharing to stop instantly when you stop the server.

Use cloud storage when: you need long-term backup and redundancy, multi-device sync, always-on availability without your machine running, or real-time collaboration features (Google Docs, shared editing).