How To IPFS

Features

IPFS Desktop combines a complete IPFS node (running go-ipfs) and the IPFS Web UI into a single, convenient desktop app — plus adds a menu to your OS menubar/system tray for easy access to a variety of common IPFS tasks.

If you already have an IPFS node on your computer, IPFS Desktop will act as a control panel and file browser for that node. If you don’t have a node, it’ll install one for you. And either way, IPFS Desktop will automatically check for updates.

Start your node at system startup and control it from your OS

IPFS Desktop enables you to stop or restart your node straight from the IPFS logo menu in your OS menubar/system tray. For Mac and Windows users, IPFS Desktop can be also be set to launch at system startup, ensuring that your node is running whenever your computer is on.

Quickly import files, folders, and screenshots to IPFS

Import files and folders to your IPFS node in a variety of convenient ways:

• Drag and drop items onto IPFS Desktop’s Files screen
• Click the Import button on the Files screen to add items from your computer or an IPFS content ID (CID)
• (Windows) Right-click a file/folder’s icon to add it to IPFS from the pop-up menu
• (Mac) Drag and drop a file/folder onto the IPFS logo in your menubar

Plus, you can use the Take Screenshot command under the IPFS logo menu to take a screenshot, import it to your node, and copy a shareable link to your clipboard with one click.

Easily manage the contents of your node

IPFS Desktop’s Files screen gives you an easy, familiar interface for working with the contents of your node:

• Easily rename, move, or remove files and folders
• Preview many common file formats directly in IPFS Desktop
• Copy a file/folder’s IPFS content ID (CID) or a shareable link to your clipboard
• “Pin” files to your IPFS node or (coming soon!) to a third-party pinning service

Quick download for CIDs, IPFS paths, and IPNS paths

Just want to download an IPFS content ID or IPFS/IPNS content path? Choose Download... from the IPFS logo menu, paste it in, and you’re good to go.

Visualize your IPFS peers worldwide

Visit the Peers screen to see what nodes you’re connected to, where they are, the connections they’re using, and more.

Explore the “Merkle Forest” of IPFS files

Use the Explore screen to explore some example datasets — or your own files — and see firsthand how items stored on IPFS are broken down into content-addressed pieces.

Enjoy OS-wide support for IPFS files and links

IPFS Desktop enables most operating systems (Mac, Windows and some Linux flavors) to support protocols including ipfs://, ipns:// and dweb:. This means that if an app on your computer tries to open a link starting with one of those protocol identifiers (for example, if your web browser encounters a link to ipns://en.wikipedia-on-ipfs.org), it’ll automatically open in IPFS Desktop.

For an even better experience with ipfs://, ipns:// and dweb: addresses, we also recommend installing IPFS Companion to add support in your favorite browser!

Learn IPFS commands as you go

If you’re interested in learning how to use IPFS from the command line, IPFS Desktop’s CLI Tutor Mode can show you common IPFS commands as you go. Just check the CLI Tutor Mode box on the Settings screen to switch on this feature.