copyparty

copyparty is a lightweight, portable file server you can run from a single folder to share, browse, and upload files over HTTP. It focuses on being easy to deploy while still offering power-user features like WebDAV, indexing, and flexible access controls.

Key Features

• Web UI for browsing, downloading, and uploading files (including drag-and-drop)
• WebDAV support for mounting as a network drive and syncing with WebDAV clients
• Share links and directory publishing with configurable permissions
• User authentication and per-path access control (read/write/admin-style rules)
• Optional indexing for faster browsing/search and media-oriented views (e.g., galleries)
• Single-binary / single-folder style deployment with cross-platform support
• Command-line configuration with extensive runtime options (ports, bind, users, perms)

Use Cases

• Quickly share files on a LAN/Wi‑Fi network without setting up a full NAS stack
• Provide a WebDAV endpoint for lightweight file access from desktops/mobile clients
• Host a simple personal file drop/upload area for a team, event, or temporary project

Limitations and Considerations

• Feature set is optimized for lightweight file serving; it is not a full sync platform like Dropbox/Drive.
• Some advanced capabilities (indexing/media features) may require extra configuration depending on usage.

copyparty is a good fit when you want a small, fast file server that can be started quickly and still supports structured access control and WebDAV. It’s commonly used for ad-hoc sharing, home-lab file serving, and lightweight team file drop scenarios.