Filell

Filell is a cross-platform, open-source framework for indexing, tagging, and retrieving digital files and their metadata. It provides a unified search layer across local storage, network shares, and cloud repositories, with a modular architecture and a consistent API intended for both individual use and enterprise deployments.

Developed starting in 2018 by a volunteer community, Filell emphasizes interoperability and extensibility. The project is managed through an open repository and releases under a permissive license, reflecting a collaborative development model and broad participation from contributors.

Architecture and features include a modular microservice design consisting of an ingestion pipeline, a metadata extractor, and a search and indexing service. Backends are pluggable for local file systems, network shares, or cloud storage. A RESTful API and a query language enable integration with clients and automation. It supports metadata extraction from common document formats, full-text search, tagging, and hierarchical collections. Synchronization across devices is supported via secure, peer-to-peer channels or a central server if configured.

Data model considerations describe files as records containing path, size, timestamps, and user-defined tags. The indexing layer can preserve versioned snapshots to facilitate auditing and rollback. Client applications range from desktop search tools to lightweight dashboards, reflecting Filell’s aim to serve diverse workflows.

Impact and status: Filell has seen adoption among enthusiasts and small teams seeking unified file search and organization. As an ongoing project, features and stability vary by release, with ongoing community-driven improvements and documentation.