File Transfers

Caller file transfers are available through the configured files menu action when [file_transfers].enabled = true and at least one enabled file area exists.

Default configuration:

[file_transfers]
enabled = false
max_upload_bytes = 1048576

Enable the feature, add a menu item that uses action = "files", and create at least one enabled file area before callers can enter the file-area workflow. max_upload_bytes is a global upload cap; file-area roots and per-area security levels are managed in DecentDB through the sysop CLI or TUI.

The caller workflow is:

• Select a file area.
• Choose D to download or U to upload.
• Choose Z for ZMODEM or X for XMODEM.
• For XMODEM uploads, provide a filename before the protocol starts because XMODEM does not carry metadata.

ZMODEM is the primary protocol and supports send, receive, batch protocol state, retry via ZRPOS, cancel handling, metadata parsing, and CRC-32 data subpackets. XMODEM is the single-file fallback. Downloads prefer CRC mode when the receiver sends C and fall back to classic checksum mode when the receiver sends NAK.

ZMODEM downloads are normally auto-detected by BBS-aware terminal clients. XMODEM downloads are not auto-started; after OxideBBS prints the transfer start line, the caller must manually start an XMODEM receive in the terminal client. OxideBBS waits up to 60 seconds for the receiver's initial CRC or checksum request byte.

File area roots are sysop-controlled storage directories. Downloaded files are read from the entry storage name under the area root. Caller uploads are sanitized to a basename, written under a generated storage name inside the area root, recorded as unapproved/pending sysop review, and checked against the area or global upload size limit.

Transfer history is stored in DecentDB with node, user, area, file entry, direction, protocol, byte counts, duration, outcome, and error details.

Sysop commands:

oxidebbs-server files areas list
oxidebbs-server files areas add main --name "Main Files" --root files/main --read-level 0 --download-level 10 --upload-level 20
oxidebbs-server files areas edit main --enabled true
oxidebbs-server files list --area main
oxidebbs-server files import main ./uploads/demo.zip --description "Demo archive"
oxidebbs-server files remove <file-id> --reason "duplicate upload"
oxidebbs-server files transfers recent --limit 50

files remove marks a file entry unapproved and requires a reason. It does not delete stored file bytes.

YMODEM, XMODEM-1k, Kermit, external rz/sz, and FTN BinkP mail transport are not caller file-transfer protocols.