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Connecting Filen

This guide explains how to connect Filen encrypted cloud storage to Pluton for storing your backups.

Prerequisites​

  • A Filen account - Sign up here
  • The Filen CLI installed on your local machine (needed once to generate an API key)

About Filen​

Filen is a zero-knowledge encrypted cloud storage service. All files are end-to-end encrypted before leaving your device, meaning Filen cannot access your data. Pluton connects to Filen using your email, password, and an API key obtained through the Filen CLI.

Getting Your Filen Credentials​

You need three pieces of information: your email, password, and an API key. The API key must be generated using the Filen CLI.

Step 1: Install the Filen CLI​

Download the Filen CLI from the official GitHub repository.

Follow the installation instructions for your operating system.

Step 2: Generate an API Key​

  1. Open a terminal and log into the Filen CLI with your Filen credentials
  2. Run the export-api-key command
  3. Copy the generated API key — you'll need this when configuring Pluton
warning

The API key is sensitive and should be stored securely. Anyone with your email, password, and API key can access your Filen account.

Connecting to Pluton​

Step 1: Add Storage​

  1. In Pluton, navigate to Storages
  2. Click Add Storage button
  3. Select Filen from the provider list

Step 2: Configure Connection​

Fill in the required fields:

  • Storage Name: A friendly name (e.g., "Filen Encrypted Backups")
  • Email: Your Filen account email address
  • Password: Your Filen account password
  • API Key: The API key generated from the Filen CLI

All credentials are stored securely and encrypted in Pluton's configuration.

Step 3: Test and Save​

  1. Click Test Connection to verify your credentials
  2. If successful, click Save
  3. Your Filen storage is now ready for backup plans

Common Issues​

Authentication Failed: Double-check all three credentials — email, password, and API key. The API key must be generated through the Filen CLI, not from the Filen web interface.

API Key Invalid: Ensure you used the export-api-key command in the Filen CLI. If the key doesn't work, try generating a new one.

Slow Listing: Initial listing of large accounts may take longer due to the encryption/decryption overhead. Subsequent operations are faster.

File System Features​

Encryption: All data is encrypted end-to-end with zero-knowledge architecture. Filen cannot read your files.

Modification Times: Filen tracks file modification times for files. Directory timestamps reflect creation time only.

Checksums: Filen supports Blake3 hashes for data integrity verification.

Best Practices​

  • Keep your Filen CLI installed in case you need to regenerate the API key
  • Since Filen provides its own encryption, evaluate whether you also need Pluton's encryption layer to avoid double-encryption overhead
  • Regularly verify backups complete successfully, especially after password changes
  • If you change your Filen password, update the stored password in Pluton's storage configuration