# File System Access

> The File System Access API allows web apps to interact with files on the local device.

Canonical page: [https://chrome-stats.com/d/file-system-access](https://chrome-stats.com/d/file-system-access)

## Overview

- **ID:** `file-system-access`
- **Platform:** Firefox
- **Type:** Firefox add-on
- **Status:** Available
- **Publisher:** sycxyc
- **Category:** web-development,download-management
- **Daily users:** 190
- **Weekly downloads:** 12
- **Rating:** 3.33 / 5 (3 ratings)
- **Version:** 0.9.4
- **Last updated:** 2024-01-26
- **First published:** 2023-03-26
- **Size:** 99 KB
- **Data as of:** 2026-09-09
- **Store listing:** [Firefox Add-ons Store](https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/file-system-access/)
- **Website:** [https://github.com/ichaoX/ext-file/issues](https://github.com/ichaoX/ext-file/issues)

## Description

The File System Access Chrome extension brings the File System Access API to browsers, enabling web applications like vscode.dev to interact seamlessly with local files and directories. It implements core file picker functions such as showOpenFilePicker, showDirectoryPicker, and showSaveFilePicker, allowing users to open, save, and select directories within web apps.

Since direct local file operations are outside the browser's default capabilities, a helper application must be installed to facilitate these tasks securely. Additionally, this extension supports providing the File System Access API to other compatible WebExtensions and integrates optional code editor features through a separate Code Editor extension. Although there are some limitations, such as cloning FileSystemHandle instances and worker context support, the extension is open source and actively maintained, offering developers powerful tools to enhance browser-based file management.

## Rankings

- #8,429 — Overall
- #3 — system
- #15 — free access
- #21 — file
- #140 — film
- #154 — device

## Permissions and access

### Permissions

- `nativeMessaging`
- `storage`
- `webNavigation`
- `<all_urls>`

## Safety

- **Risk impact:** Moderate risk impact
- **Risk likelihood:** Low risk likelihood

### Analysis details

- Allows access to all websites, posing a significant security risk as it can monitor and modify data from any visited site.
- This extension has low user count. Unpopular extensions may not be stable or safe.

> Some risk analysis details are omitted from this free response. [Upgrade to view the full analysis](https://chrome-stats.com/pricing).

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Source: [Chrome-Stats](https://chrome-stats.com/d/file-system-access)