SimpleFileHost

SimpleFileHost is a lightweight local file-sharing tool written in C++. It lets you send or receive files over Wi-Fi using only a web browser — no configuration, no external servers.

The program starts a tiny built-in HTTP server, generates a random token URL, and optionally displays an ASCII QR code (via libqrencode) for easy scanning.

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🚀 Features

• 📦 Send or receive files and folders locally over Wi-Fi (send <file/path to file> or get <output file>)
• 🔑 Random one-time token URL for each transfer
• 🧾 ASCII QR code display (optional)
• 🧩 Archive and split large files into parts (zip <target> <split_size>)
• 🖥️ Built-in minimal POSIX HTTP server no external libraries
• 🧹 Auto-shutdown the server after transfer completion
• 🔒 Optional TLS (HTTPS) support via --tls <cert> <key>

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⬇️ Installation, 🛠️ Building or ❌Removing

⬇️ Installation

Requirements:

• POSIX system (Linux or macOS)
• libarchive (required for archive operations)
• Optional: libqrencode (for QR code display)
• OpenSSL dev libraries (libssl-dev)

This one-liner will help you to install from pre-built binary:

mkdir temp; cd temp; wget https://github.com/Kolya080808/SimpleFileHost/releases/download/v2.0/release.zip; unzip release.zip; chmod +x install.sh; sudo ./install.sh; cd ../; rm -r temp

The install script will ask if you want to install optional QR code support or no.

🛠️ Build from Source

Requirements:

• C++17
• CMake ≥ 3.10
• POSIX system (Linux or macOS)
• libarchive (required)
• Optional: libqrencode (for QR code display)
• OpenSSL dev libraries (libssl-dev)

Build:

Firstly, clone the repository:

git clone https://github.com/Kolya080808/SimpleFileHost.git; cd SimpleFileHost

Then start the build script:

chmod +x build.sh; ./build.sh

After doing theese commands, you can delete the folder.

One-liner:

git clone https://github.com/Kolya080808/SimpleFileHost.git; cd SimpleFileHost; chmod +x build.sh; ./build.sh

After doing this command, you can delete the folder.

The build script will ask if you want to build with QR code support.

❌ Removing

Uninstall the binary and optionally remove installed dependencies:

wget https://github.com/Kolya080808/SimpleFileHost/raw/main/remove.sh; chmod +x remove.sh; ./remove.sh; rm remove.sh

The script will ask, if you want to delete dependencies.

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▶️ Usage

To see all available options, run program with --help flag:

$ simplefilehost --help

SimpleFileHost — lightweight local file sharing server

Usage:
  simplefilehost [options]

Options:
  --bind <address>        Bind to specific IP address (e.g., 0.0.0.0)
  --auto-bind             Bind to 0.0.0.0 (make server reachable on all interfaces)
  --max-size <bytes>      Limit maximum upload size (e.g., 100MB)
  --verbose               Enable detailed log output to stderr
  --help                  Show this help message and exit
  --version               Show program version and exit
  --tls <cert> <key>      Enable TLS (HTTPS) using the provided certificate and private key files

To run the program:

$ simplefilehost

You'll enter an interactive CLI with commands:

📤 Commands:

help

The server prints out this help message:

Available commands:
  send <file>              — Send file over Wi-Fi.
  senddir <dir>            — Send entire folder (auto zipped).
  get <output_file>        — Receive file from another device.
  zip <target>             — Archive.
  help                     — Show this help message.
  exit                     — Quit program.

send <path_to_file>

The server will print a URL (and QR code if enabled). Open it on another device in the same Wi-Fi/LAN network to download the file.

TLS usage example:

simplefilehost --tls server.crt server.key
# then in REPL:
send myfile.zip

Open the printed URL. If your certificate is self-signed, your browser will warn — accept/allow to test.

get <output_filename>

The server will print a URL (and QR code if enabled). Open it on another device and drag-and-drop a file to send it.

zip <target>

Archives the specified file or directory.

Examples:

zip hello

→ Creates hello.zip.

senddir <directory_path>

The directory will be archived and automatically shared over HTTP.

exit

Exits program.

⚠️ Example Usage

video_2025-10-26_17-56-34.mp4

As I use WSL, I need to do some more commands in PowerShell. Don't do them, if you don't use WSL.

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🔒 Security Notes

• If you use --auto-bind the server binds to all interfaces (0.0.0.0). Do not use it on untrusted networks.
• Each session has a random 24-character token to make guessing the URL unlikely.
• Transfers are plain HTTP (no TLS) by default — avoid sending confidential files unless you explicitly enable TLS with --tls and provide a valid cert/key.
• The server automatically shuts down after a completed upload/download.

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⚠️ Limitations

• Without --max-size flag, server automatically limits file size to 200MB
• Minimal HTTP implementation (no keep-alive)
• Large or interrupted uploads may fail (I've tried to fix it, but I am not sure that it works well. At least 60gb worked as it should work).
• If you do not use any bind flags, the server binds 127.0.0.1, to make everything safe. Do not forget to bind to another address.

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P.S.

I've added the project (debian branch) to the debian mentors. Any help would be great. If you want and can help, or if you have suggestions for improvements, you can contact me via telegram.

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📚 License

MIT License © 2025 — Kolya080808