> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.gotempest.app/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.gotempest.app/files-and-storage/sftp-file-manager.md).

# How to Transfer Files over SFTP

How to move files over SFTP in Tempest — drag and drop, bookmarks, editing a remote file in place, chmod and chown, background transfers and ZMODEM.

It works on any supported SSH server, and it integrates with the rest of Tempest: open a remote file in the in-app editor, run `chmod` from the GUI, bookmark folders you visit often.

## Open the SFTP browser

After connecting via SSH, click the right sidebar button on the top right corner, and then click **SFTP** icon in the right sidebar's toolbar.

<figure><img src="https://3410580572-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FVJ43ZDtCrZnz5xabHcML%2Fuploads%2FF7zNGnXoZGxcWpq7pLSp%2FScreenshot%202026-04-30%20at%203.46.28%E2%80%AFPM.png?alt=media&amp;token=d7139bf9-2c76-4c3b-b497-eb314f5ad1fc" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

**Alternatively**, right click on a host in the host list, and select "SFTP" to open a full screen SFTP session.

## Transfer files

* **Drag-and-drop:** single files, or whole folders
* Transfers run in the background; Use Task Manager pane to track progress

## In-app file editing

Double-click any text file on the remote side to open it in Tempest's built-in editor. Use ctrl+S or command+S to save, and Tempest uploads the changes via SFTP. No "download, edit locally, re-upload" loop.

## Path navigator and bookmarks

* Bookmark folders you visit often — they appear in a sidebar so they're one click away on every connect
* Bookmarks sync across devices via your encrypted vault

## chmod and chown from the GUI

Right-click any file → **Properties** → edit permissions and ownership without dropping into the terminal. Numeric and symbolic notation both supported.

## ZMODEM (rz / sz) support

Tempest's terminal also speaks **ZMODEM** — when a remote command emits a `sz file` (send) sequence, Tempest detects it and prompts you to choose a download location. Works the other direction too with `rz`.

This is the standard way to move files into and out of containers, network appliances, and VMs that have ZMODEM but no SFTP server.

## Performance

The SFTP layer is a native Rust implementation with parallel block transfers, so multi-MB files saturate your link. The same backend handles S3, WebDAV, and FTP transfers in Tempest, with a unified progress UI.

## See also

* [SSH Client for Teleport, Cloudflare Access, AWS SSM, GCP IAP & Tailscale](/connections-and-ssh/ssh-client-for-teleport-cloudflare-access-aws-ssm-gcp-iap-and-tailscale.md) — SFTP works over zero-trust gateways too
* [SSH Jump Host & Bastion Chaining](/connections-and-ssh/ssh-jump-host-bastion-chaining.md) — SFTP transfers inherit the jump-host chain
* [SFTP client](https://gotempest.app/sftp-client) — the product page for this feature