ffsend is a command-line tool for securely sharing files through the Firefox Send service.
The tool solves the problem of sharing files safely over the internet by encrypting all data on the client side before upload, ensuring that encryption secrets never reach the remote host. Users can share files and directories up to 1GB in size through a single command, with optional password protection and configurable download limits or time-based expiration. The service enforces a default lifetime of one download or 24 hours, with a maximum of 20 downloads or 20 days, to prevent files from persisting indefinitely online. Files can be downloaded by others using the tool itself or through a web browser, and the tool supports both the current Send v3 protocol and the legacy v2 version.
The tool suits developers and users who need command-line-based file sharing with strong security guarantees and minimal configuration overhead. It works well for scripting and automation since it is designed for non-interactive use. The project supports multiple platforms including Linux, macOS, Windows, FreeBSD, and Android. Key distinguishing features include built-in URL shortening, QR code generation, file and directory archiving, history tracking for uploaded files, the ability to inspect or delete shared files remotely, and streaming encryption that maintains a low memory footprint regardless of file size. Users can also configure custom Send hosts rather than relying solely on the default public instance.
Development activity shows consistent engagement with bug fixes and improvements across multiple areas. The project maintains responsiveness to user-reported issues and incorporates community feedback into its roadmap. Work spans infrastructure maintenance, feature additions, and platform support expansion. The tool remains under active development with additional features planned, though it is marked as beta software.
