# File Storage

> Use when working with Tigris file storage - uploading, downloading, deleting, listing files, presigned URLs, client uploads, or setting up Tigris CLI and SDK. Covers Next.js, Remix, Express, Rails, and Laravel. For Python/Django, see the tigris-python-sdk skill.

- Skill: `tigrisdata/file-storage` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 8 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds add tigrisdata/file-storage`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/tigrisdata/file-storage/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Web & Frontend
- Author: tigrisdata (https://skillmd.com/u/tigrisdata)
- Updated: 2026-09-09
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/tigrisdata/file-storage

---


# Tigris File Storage

Store and serve files with Tigris Object Storage. Covers CLI setup (bucket, access keys, auth) and the `@tigrisdata/storage` SDK for application code.

## Quick Start

```bash
# 1. Install CLI & authenticate
npm install -g @tigrisdata/cli
tigris login

# 2. Create bucket and access key
tigris buckets create my-app-uploads
tigris access-keys create "my-app-uploads-key"
# ⚠ Save the Secret Access Key — shown only once
tigris access-keys assign tid_xxx --bucket my-app-uploads --role Editor

# 3. Install SDK
npm install @tigrisdata/storage
```

```bash
# .env
TIGRIS_STORAGE_ACCESS_KEY_ID=tid_xxx
TIGRIS_STORAGE_SECRET_ACCESS_KEY=tsec_yyy
TIGRIS_STORAGE_ENDPOINT=https://t3.storage.dev
TIGRIS_STORAGE_BUCKET=my-app-uploads
```

```typescript
import { put } from "@tigrisdata/storage";

// Files are private by default — only authenticated requests can access them
const result = await put("avatars/user-123.jpg", file);
if (result.error) throw result.error;
console.log(result.data?.url);

// Use access: "public" only when anonymous users need direct URL access
// const result = await put("avatars/user-123.jpg", file, { access: "public" });
```

See **Getting Started with CLI** below for detailed steps.

---

## Getting Started with CLI

### Step 1: Install CLI

```bash
npm install -g @tigrisdata/cli
```

Verify the installation:

```bash
tigris --version
```

`t3` is an alias for `tigris` — all commands work with either.

### Step 2: Authenticate

```bash
tigris login
```

Opens browser for OAuth. After login, verify with:

```bash
tigris whoami
```

For CI/CD or non-interactive environments:

```bash
tigris configure --access-key <key> --access-secret <secret>
```

### Step 3: Create Bucket

```bash
tigris buckets create my-app-uploads
```

Key points:

- Buckets are **private** by default. Use `--public` for publicly readable objects.
- Buckets are **global** by default. Use `--locations` to pin to specific regions.
- Type `help` after any command to see its options (e.g., `tigris buckets create help`).

### Step 4: Create Access Key

```bash
tigris access-keys create "my-app-uploads-key"
```

This outputs an Access Key ID (`tid_xxx`) and Secret Access Key (`tsec_yyy`).

**The Secret Access Key is only shown once.** Copy it immediately. The Name field is only for human identification — it has no functional impact.

### Step 5: Configure Environment

Create `.env` in your project root:

```bash
TIGRIS_STORAGE_ACCESS_KEY_ID=tid_xxx
TIGRIS_STORAGE_SECRET_ACCESS_KEY=tsec_yyy
TIGRIS_STORAGE_ENDPOINT=https://t3.storage.dev
TIGRIS_STORAGE_BUCKET=my-app-uploads
```

`TIGRIS_STORAGE_BUCKET` sets the default bucket for all SDK calls. Add `.env` to `.gitignore` — never commit credentials.

### Step 6: Assign Access Key to Bucket

```bash
tigris access-keys assign tid_xxx --bucket my-app-uploads --role Editor
```

**Roles:**

| Role       | Permissions                        | Use when                                 |
| ---------- | ---------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------- |
| `Editor`   | Read + write + delete objects      | App servers that upload/delete files     |
| `ReadOnly` | Read objects only                  | Apps that only serve/download files      |

Now you have:

- A bucket (`my-app-uploads`)
- An access key (`tid_xxx` / `tsec_yyy`)
- The key assigned to the bucket with Editor role
- A `.env` file ready for the SDK

### Step 7: Install SDK

```bash
npm install @tigrisdata/storage
# or
yarn add @tigrisdata/storage
```

Supports ES Modules and CommonJS.

---

## SDK Reference

All methods return `TigrisStorageResponse<T, E>`. Always check `error` first:

```typescript
const result = await put("file.txt", "hello");
if (result.error) {
  console.error(result.error);
  return;
}
console.log(result.data);
```

### config — Override Default Configuration

Every method accepts an optional `config` parameter of type `TigrisStorageConfig`:

```typescript
type TigrisStorageConfig = {
  bucket?: string;          // Override TIGRIS_STORAGE_BUCKET
  accessKeyId?: string;     // Override TIGRIS_STORAGE_ACCESS_KEY_ID
  secretAccessKey?: string; // Override TIGRIS_STORAGE_SECRET_ACCESS_KEY
  endpoint?: string;        // Override TIGRIS_STORAGE_ENDPOINT
};
```

Use `config` to target a different bucket or use different credentials per call:

```typescript
// Upload to a different bucket
await put("report.pdf", data, { config: { bucket: "reports-archive" } });

// Use a separate read-only key for downloads
await get("file.txt", "string", { config: { accessKeyId: "tid_ro", secretAccessKey: "tsec_ro" } });
```

### put — Upload

```typescript
put(path: string, body: string | ReadableStream | Blob | Buffer, options?: PutOptions)
```

```typescript
import { put } from "@tigrisdata/storage";

// Simple text upload
const result = await put("notes/hello.txt", "Hello, World!");

// Image with public access
const result = await put("avatars/user-123.jpg", file, {
  access: "public",
  contentType: "image/jpeg",
  addRandomSuffix: false,
});

// Large file with multipart and progress
const result = await put("videos/demo.mp4", fileStream, {
  multipart: true,
  onUploadProgress: ({ loaded, total, percentage }) => {
    console.log(`${loaded}/${total} bytes (${percentage}%)`);
  },
});

// Prevent accidental overwrite
const result = await put("config.json", data, {
  allowOverwrite: false,
});
```

**Put options:**

| Option             | Values              | Default    | Purpose                       |
| ------------------ | ------------------- | ---------- | ----------------------------- |
| access             | `public`, `private` | `private`  | Object visibility             |
| addRandomSuffix    | boolean             | `false`    | Append random suffix to avoid collisions on user-uploaded files with the same name |
| allowOverwrite     | boolean             | `true`     | Allow replacing existing file |
| contentType        | MIME string         | inferred   | Content type header           |
| contentDisposition | `inline`,`attachment`| `inline`  | Browser display behavior      |
| multipart          | boolean             | `false`    | Enable for large files        |
| onUploadProgress   | callback            | —          | `{loaded, total, percentage}` |
| config             | `TigrisStorageConfig` | —        | Override bucket/credentials (see config section above) |

**Response data:** `{ url, path, size, contentType, contentDisposition, modified }`

### get — Download

```typescript
get(path: string, format: "string" | "file" | "stream", options?: GetOptions)
```

```typescript
import { get } from "@tigrisdata/storage";

// Read as string (text, JSON)
const result = await get("notes/hello.txt", "string");
console.log(result.data); // "Hello, World!"

// Serve as file (for API routes)
const result = await get("avatars/user-123.jpg", "file", {
  contentDisposition: "inline",
});

// Trigger browser download
const result = await get("reports/q4.pdf", "file", {
  contentDisposition: "attachment",
});

// Stream large files
const result = await get("videos/demo.mp4", "stream");
```

**Get options:**

| Option             | Values               | Default  | Purpose               |
| ------------------ | -------------------- | -------- | --------------------- |
| contentDisposition | `inline`,`attachment`| `inline` | Display vs download   |
| contentType        | MIME string          | from upload | Override content type |
| encoding           | string               | `utf-8`  | Text encoding         |
| config             | `TigrisStorageConfig` | —       | Override bucket/credentials (see config section above) |

### remove — Delete

```typescript
remove(path: string, options?: RemoveOptions)
```

```typescript
import { remove } from "@tigrisdata/storage";

const result = await remove("notes/hello.txt");
if (result.error) {
  console.error(result.error);
}
```

### list — List Objects

```typescript
list(options?: ListOptions)
```

```typescript
import { list } from "@tigrisdata/storage";

// List all objects
const result = await list();
console.log(result.data?.items);

// Filter by prefix
const result = await list({ prefix: "avatars/" });

// Paginate through all objects
const allFiles = [];
let page = await list({ limit: 100 });
allFiles.push(...(page.data?.items ?? []));

while (page.data?.hasMore) {
  page = await list({
    limit: 100,
    paginationToken: page.data.paginationToken,
  });
  allFiles.push(...(page.data?.items ?? []));
}
```

**List options:**

| Option          | Purpose                                |
| --------------- | -------------------------------------- |
| prefix          | Filter keys starting with this string  |
| delimiter       | Group keys (e.g., `"/"` for folders)   |
| limit           | Max objects per page (default: 100)    |
| paginationToken | Continue from previous page            |
| config          | `TigrisStorageConfig` — override bucket/credentials (see config section above) |

**Response data:** `{ items, paginationToken, hasMore }`

### head — Object Metadata

```typescript
head(path: string, options?: HeadOptions)
```

```typescript
import { head } from "@tigrisdata/storage";

const result = await head("avatars/user-123.jpg");
if (!result.error) {
  console.log(result.data);
  // { path, size, contentType, contentDisposition, modified, url }
}
```

### getPresignedUrl — Temporary URLs

```typescript
getPresignedUrl(path: string, options: GetPresignedUrlOptions)
```

```typescript
import { getPresignedUrl } from "@tigrisdata/storage";

// Temporary download link (1 hour)
const result = await getPresignedUrl("reports/q4.pdf", {
  operation: "get",
  expiresIn: 3600,
});
console.log(result.data?.url);

// Temporary upload link (10 minutes)
const result = await getPresignedUrl("uploads/photo.jpg", {
  operation: "put",
  expiresIn: 600,
});
```

**Presigned URL options:**

| Option      | Values      | Default | Purpose           |
| ----------- | ----------- | ------- | ----------------- |
| operation   | `get`,`put` | —       | URL purpose       |
| expiresIn   | seconds     | `3600`  | Expiration time   |
| contentType | MIME string | —       | Required for PUT  |
| config      | `TigrisStorageConfig` | — | Override bucket/credentials (see config section above) |

**Response data:** `{ url, method, expiresIn }`

---

## Client-Side Uploads

Upload files directly from the browser to Tigris without routing bytes through your server. Uses presigned URLs under the hood.

### Server — Handle Upload Requests

```typescript
// app/api/upload/route.ts
import { NextRequest, NextResponse } from "next/server";
import { handleClientUpload } from "@tigrisdata/storage";

export async function POST(request: NextRequest) {
  try {
    const body = await request.json();
    const { data, error } = await handleClientUpload(body);
    if (error) {
      return NextResponse.json({ error: error.message }, { status: 500 });
    }
    return NextResponse.json({ data });
  } catch (error) {
    return NextResponse.json(
      { error: "Failed to process upload request" },
      { status: 500 },
    );
  }
}
```

### Client — Direct Upload

```typescript
"use client";

import { upload } from "@tigrisdata/storage/client";
import { useState } from "react";

export default function FileUpload() {
  const [progress, setProgress] = useState(0);
  const [url, setUrl] = useState<string | null>(null);

  const handleFileChange = async (e: React.ChangeEvent<HTMLInputElement>) => {
    const file = e.target.files?.[0];
    if (!file) return;

    const result = await upload(file.name, file, {
      url: "/api/upload",
      access: "private",
      multipart: true,
      partSize: 10 * 1024 * 1024,
      onUploadProgress: ({ percentage }) => {
        setProgress(percentage);
      },
    });

    setUrl(result.url);
  };

  return (
    <>
      <input type="file" onChange={handleFileChange} />
      {progress > 0 && progress < 100 && <div>{progress}%</div>}
      {url && <div>Uploaded: {url}</div>}
    </>
  );
}
```

**Client upload options:**

| Option           | Required | Purpose                              |
| ---------------- | -------- | ------------------------------------ |
| url              | Yes      | Backend endpoint for presigned URLs  |
| access           | No       | `public` or `private` (default)      |
| multipart        | No       | Enable for large files               |
| partSize         | No       | Bytes per part (default: 5 MiB)      |
| concurrency      | No       | Parallel part uploads (default: 4)   |
| contentType      | No       | MIME type                            |
| onUploadProgress | No       | `{loaded, total, percentage}`        |

### React Component (Optional)

`npm install @tigrisdata/react` provides a drop-in `<Uploader>` component with file selection, progress, and error handling built in. See `@tigrisdata/react` docs for usage.

---

## Critical Rules

**Always:** Check `result.error` before `result.data` | Upload files as `private` by default — only set `access: "public"` when anonymous users need direct URL access | Use `handleClientUpload` for browser uploads (don't route bytes through server) | Use `multipart: true` for files over 100MB | Paginate `list()` with `hasMore` + `paginationToken` | Delete old files when replacing (no auto-cleanup) | Set `contentType` explicitly when it matters

**Never:** Expose access keys to the client (use `handleClientUpload` + `upload()` from `@tigrisdata/storage/client`) | Skip error checking | Use generic paths like `file.jpg` (use `avatars/${userId}.jpg` or timestamps) | Forget to save the Secret Access Key on creation (shown only once)

---

## Known Issues

| Problem                        | Cause & Fix                                                                             |
| ------------------------------ | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| "Access denied" on upload      | Key not assigned to bucket. Run `tigris access-keys assign tid_xxx --bucket <name> --role Editor` |
| "Bucket not found" from SDK    | Wrong bucket name in `.env`. Verify with `tigris buckets list`                          |
| Secret Access Key lost         | Cannot recover. Create new: `tigris access-keys create "new-key"` and reassign          |
| Files not publicly accessible  | Bucket is private by default. Use `--public` flag or `access: "public"` on `put()`      |
| Upload hangs on large files    | Add `multipart: true` to put options for files over 100MB                               |
| List returns incomplete results| Default limit is 100. Use `hasMore` + `paginationToken` to paginate                    |
| Client upload fails (CORS/500) | Server route must use `handleClientUpload` from `@tigrisdata/storage`                   |

---

## CLI Quick Reference

`t3` is an alias for `tigris`. Type `help` after any command for options.

```bash
# Auth
tigris login
tigris whoami

# Buckets
tigris buckets create <name> [--public] [--locations <region>]
tigris buckets list
tigris buckets delete <name>

# Access keys
tigris access-keys create "<name>"
tigris access-keys assign <tid_xxx> --bucket <name> --role Editor

# Objects
tigris cp <src> <dest> [-r]         # Upload/download/copy
tigris mv <src> <dest> [-rf]        # Move or rename
tigris rm <path> [-rf]              # Delete
tigris ls [bucket/prefix]           # List
tigris stat <path>                  # Metadata
tigris presign <path>               # Presigned URL
tigris touch <path>                 # Create empty object
```

Remote paths use `t3://` prefix: `t3://my-bucket/path/file.txt`

---

## Framework Integration Guides

For framework-specific upload/download patterns, read the resource file for your framework:

| Framework | SDK | Resource |
|-----------|-----|----------|
| Next.js | `@tigrisdata/storage` (native) | Read `./resources/nextjs.md` — Server Actions, API Routes, next/image, client uploads |
| Remix | `@tigrisdata/storage` (native) | Read `./resources/remix.md` — action functions, loaders, client uploads |
| Express | `@tigrisdata/storage` (native) | Read `./resources/express.md` — Multer, streaming uploads, client uploads |
| Rails | `aws-sdk-s3` (no native Ruby SDK yet) | Read `./resources/rails.md` — Active Storage, direct uploads, image variants |
| Django | `tigris-boto3-ext` + `django-storages` | Use the **tigris-python-sdk** skill — covers FileField, django-storages, presigned URLs |
| Laravel | `league/flysystem-aws-s3-v3` (no native PHP SDK yet) | Read `./resources/laravel.md` — Storage facade, Livewire uploads, presigned URLs |

### Deployment

| Framework | Platform | Set env vars with |
|-----------|----------|-------------------|
| Next.js | Vercel | Dashboard → Settings → Environment Variables |
| Remix | Fly.io | `fly secrets set TIGRIS_STORAGE_ACCESS_KEY_ID=... ...` |
| Express | Docker | `-e` flags or `.env` in Compose |
| Rails | Fly.io / Kamal | `fly secrets set` or `kamal env push` |
| Laravel | Forge / Vapor | Dashboard → Environment or `vapor env:pull` |

---

## Related Skills

- **tigris-python-sdk** — Python access via boto3, Django uploads, snapshots, forks, Bundle API
- **tigris-bucket-management** — Advanced bucket options (regions, tiers, snapshots)
- **tigris-object-operations** — Detailed SDK function reference
- **tigris-snapshots-forking** — Point-in-time recovery and bucket forking

## Official Documentation

- SDK: https://www.tigrisdata.com/docs/sdks/tigris/
- Client Uploads: https://www.tigrisdata.com/docs/sdks/tigris/client-uploads/
- Examples: https://www.tigrisdata.com/docs/sdks/tigris/examples/