> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.kombify.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Documents & Files

> Store and share your files with Cloudreve, and archive paperwork with the optional Paperless-ngx add-on

<Info>
  Evidence state (2026-09-24, v0.39.7): Files with Cloudreve is `available,
      lifecycle-verified`. A lifecycle run on Ubuntu 24.04 amd64 (Basement Kit,
  standalone) passed install, init, generate, apply, setup-files, verify,
  backup and restore; the restore returned the original bytes and the
  activation and application readback were verified over the guest-local
  loopback. The public support grade for this run is published on
  [stackkit.cc/compatibility](https://stackkit.cc/compatibility). Documents
  with Paperless-ngx is `available, not yet lifecycle-verified`: it is
  selectable in the catalog today, but no lifecycle receipt covers it yet.
</Info>

Documents & Files gives your household storage and sharing for everyday
files, plus an optional archive for the paperwork you want to search later.
Cloudreve is the default, released application for the optional `files`
workload. Paperless-ngx is an optional add-on that runs as the separate
`documents` workload: it ingests scanned or emailed paperwork, runs OCR, and
keeps both the searchable text and the original file.

## Applications

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Cloudreve" icon="folder-cloud" href="/stackkits/apps/cloudreve">
    The file storage and sharing application behind Files: selection, rollout and operation.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Paperless-ngx" icon="file-contract" href="/stackkits/reference/use-case-catalog#documents">
    The document archive behind Documents: OCR, indexing and search over ingested paperwork. Selectable now; no dedicated setup guide yet.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## When to use which

* Use **Files (Cloudreve)** for everyday storage: working documents, photo exports, backups of folders, and sharing a link with one recipient.
* Add **Documents (Paperless-ngx)** when you want scanned mail, receipts and paperwork turned into a searchable, OCR'd archive that keeps the original file.
* The two applications keep separate data. Cloudreve does not index what Paperless-ngx has archived, and Paperless-ngx does not browse your Cloudreve library.

## Plan storage first

* Choose an absolute primary data root with enough free space for both applications you select.
* Keep the backup root separate from primary data.
* Decide which clients may reach the generated Files route.
* Paperless-ngx keeps the OCR text index and the original file together; size storage for the archive plus its database, and expect it to grow with every scanned document.
* Practice a restore before you place irreplaceable files or paperwork in either application.

## Get the apps

### Cloudreve

* **Web UI**: open the generated Files route in any browser, on desktop or mobile.
* **Desktop sync client**: Cloudreve publishes an [official Windows sync client](https://docs.cloudreve.org/en/usage/desktop-client) with on-demand file access and Explorer integration; it requires a Cloudreve Pro server instance.
* There is no official Cloudreve mobile app; use the web UI from a phone browser.

### Paperless-ngx

* **Web UI**: open the generated Documents route in any browser once you select the workload.
* **Mobile apps** (third-party, not maintained by kombify or the Paperless-ngx project): [Paperless Mobile](https://github.com/astubenbord/paperless-mobile) for Android, and [Swift Paperless](https://apps.apple.com/app/swift-paperless/id6448698521) for iOS. Both connect to your own server address and account; review their permissions before granting access to your archive.

## Set it up

Files is a good first use case, because Cloudreve's standalone selection needs no secret reference. Select, deploy and verify it on the [Cloudreve](/stackkits/apps/cloudreve) page. Select Paperless-ngx as the separate `documents` workload when you want the archive, then practice the recovery lifecycle for whichever applications you run in [Back up and restore](/guides/stackkits/back-up-and-restore).