> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.nuvolos.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.nuvolos.com/how-to-guides/workflows-for-students/work-with-files.md).

# Work with files

<mark style="color:$primary;">**Outcome**</mark> \
You upload, download, organise, and edit files in your personal Instance.

<mark style="color:$primary;">**Before you start**</mark>

* You are inside your course Instance.
* You are in the **Current state** (the live, writable version of the Instance).

#### Two ways to work with files

You can manage files from two places:

* **The Nuvolos web UI (Files view)** - best for quick uploads, downloads, renames, and previews. Reach it via the folder icon on the sidebar.
* **Inside a running Application** - best when you are already coding. Files in `/files` (Workspace) and \~ (Personal) are persistent; changes save automatically.

#### Most common file operations

* **Upload** a file from your computer - click UPLOAD in the Files view.
* **Download a file** - click the ... Actions menu on the file row and choose DOWNLOAD.
* **Download a folder** - same menu; the folder is delivered as a ZIP archive.
* **Extract an archive** (zip, tar.gz, bz2, and similar) - use the ... Actions menu and choose EXTRACT.
* **Edit a small text file** in the browser - click the file name and choose Edit. Supported for files under 1 MB that decode to UTF-8.

For the full file navigator reference, including all supported archive formats and the file preview behavior, see [Reference › File storage](/reference/file-system-and-storage.md).

## Navigate personal and Workspace areas

<mark style="color:$primary;">**Outcome**</mark>\
You understand the difference between Workspace, Personal, and Application library areas, and you know which one to put a file in.

<mark style="color:$primary;">**Before you start**</mark>

* You have at least one application running, or the Files view open.

Each Nuvolos application has three persistent storage areas. They look identical inside the application, but they have different visibility scopes and different use cases.

<table data-header-hidden><thead><tr><th valign="top"></th><th valign="top"></th><th valign="top"></th><th valign="top"></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td valign="top"><strong>Area</strong></td><td valign="top"><strong>Where it lives</strong></td><td valign="top"><strong>Who can see it</strong></td><td valign="top"><strong>What it's for</strong></td></tr><tr><td valign="top"><strong>Workspace files</strong></td><td valign="top"><code>/files</code> in the Application</td><td valign="top">All users in your Instance</td><td valign="top">Course materials, your assignments, files you want collaborators to see.</td></tr><tr><td valign="top"><strong>Personal files</strong></td><td valign="top"><code>~</code> (your home directory)</td><td valign="top">Only you, only in this Instance</td><td valign="top">Personal scratch files, account-specific configuration, files you do not want to share.</td></tr><tr><td valign="top"><strong>Application library files</strong></td><td valign="top">Depends on Application type</td><td valign="top">All users for the same Application in this Instance</td><td valign="top">Packages and libraries you install in the Application.</td></tr></tbody></table>

&#x20;In the Nuvolos web UI Files view, you can switch between Workspace and Personal using the dropdown below the UPLOAD button. Application library files are managed automatically by the Application itself.

{% hint style="info" %}
When you submit an assignment, only files in the Workspace (`/files`) are included. Keep your assignment files in Workspace, and use Personal for scratch work that should not be submitted.
{% endhint %}