> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](/llms.txt).

# Manage files

Upload and pin files across the IPFS network using Infura's API endpoints, custom tools, and libraries.

info

Infura doesn't currently support remote pinning services on IPFS Desktop.

### Upload a file with the IPFS API[​](#upload-a-file-with-the-ipfs-api "Direct link to Upload a file with the IPFS API")

```
curl -X POST -F file=@myfile \
  -u "<YOUR-API-KEY>:<YOUR-API-KEY-SECRET>" \
  "https://ipfs.infura.io:5001/api/v0/add"

> {
  "Name": "ipfs_file_docs_getting_started_demo.txt",
  "Hash": "QmeGAVddnBSnKc1DLE7DLV9uuTqo5F7QbaveTjr45JUdQn",
  "Size": "44"
}

```

When you upload a file using the `/api/v0/add` endpoint, the file is automatically pinned, and it isn't necessary to `pin` again.

### Upload a file with the Infura UI[​](#upload-a-file-with-the-infura-ui "Direct link to Upload a file with the Infura UI")

Upload one or more files using the Infura UI. Uploaded files are automatically pinned and automatically appear in your project's dashboard explorer. Unpin it at any time using the unpin button in the UI. To upload content:

1. In the IPFS dashboard for your project, select **UPLOAD CONTENT**.
2. Drag and drop, or select one or more files to upload, and click **UPLOAD**.

Your uploaded files will display in the dashboard.

### Upload a file with `ipfs-upload-client`[​](#upload-a-file-with-ipfs-upload-client "Direct link to upload-a-file-with-ipfs-upload-client")

Infura's [ipfs-upload-client](https://github.com/INFURA/ipfs-upload-client) is a command line tool for uploading files and directories to IPFS. Install the tool using the following steps:

1. Clone the ipfs-upload-client repository:  
```  
git clone https://github.com/INFURA/ipfs-upload-client.git  
```
2. Change to the `ipfs-upload-client` directory:  
```  
cd ipfs-upload-client  
```
3. Compile the source code to create a binary in the project folder:  
```  
go build  
```

Upload your files and directories to IPFS using the following syntax:

```
./ipfs-upload-client --id <YOUR-API-KEY> --secret <YOUR-API-KEY-SECRET> </path/to/data>

```

By default, the tool also pins your uploaded file. You can override this default by setting `--pin false`. Read more about using the tool in [this blog post](https://blog.infura.io/ipfs-file-upload-client-tool/).

#### Command flags[​](#command-flags "Direct link to Command flags")

```
  --id       API key
  --secret   API key secret
  --url      The API URL (default "https://ipfs.infura.io:5001", set with --url <CUSTOM_URL>)
  --pin      Whether or not to pin the data (default true, set to false with --pin=false)

```

### Pin a file[​](#pin-a-file "Direct link to Pin a file")

IPFS pinning allows you to retain and persist data on IPFS nodes. Pinning assures that data is accessible indefinitely, and not removed during the [IPFS garbage collection process](https://docs.ipfs.io/concepts/persistence/#garbage-collection).

```
curl -X POST -u "<YOUR-API-KEY>:<YOUR-API-KEY-SECRET>" \
  "https://ipfs.infura.io:5001/api/v0/pin/add?arg=QmeGAVddnBSnKc1DLE7DLV9uuTqo5F7QbaveTjr45JUdQn"

```

A pinned file will appear in your project's dashboard explorer. You can [unpin](/services/how-to/use-ipfs/manage-files/#unpin-a-file) it at any time using the unpin button in the UI or with the API endpoint.

### Unpin a file[​](#unpin-a-file "Direct link to Unpin a file")

Unpin a file using the Infura UI or IPFS API.

To unpin a file in the Infura UI, select the file in the IPFS dashboard for your project and select the **UNPIN** link.

Alternatively, use the IPFS API to unpin content.

```
curl -X POST -u "<YOUR-API-KEY>:<YOUR-API-KEY-SECRET>" \
  "https://ipfs.infura.io:5001/api/v0/pin/rm?arg=QmeGAVddnBSnKc1DLE7DLV9uuTqo5F7QbaveTjr45JUdQn"

```

### Read a file[​](#read-a-file "Direct link to Read a file")

```
curl -X POST -u "<YOUR-API-KEY>:<YOUR-API-KEY-SECRET>" \
  "https://ipfs.infura.io:5001/api/v0/cat?arg=QmeGAVddnBSnKc1DLE7DLV9uuTqo5F7QbaveTjr45JUdQn"

> Infura IPFS - Getting started demo.

```