Getting Started with DropWire

DropWire is a command-line tool that lets you transfer files directly between computers. It eliminates the need to upload files to a third-party cloud service like Google Drive or WeTransfer, ensuring your data remains completely private and transfers as fast as your network allows.

Installation

You can install DropWire directly from your terminal using our quick installation script:

curl -sS https://dropwire.tyes.dev/install.sh | sh

Verify your installation by checking the version:

dropwire --version

Your First Transfer

DropWire works using a sender/receiver model. No accounts or setup are required.

1. Send a File

On the sending machine, specify the file (or folder) you want to share:

dropwire send ./project-assets.tar.gz

DropWire will lock the file, establish a secure context, and output a random, human-readable room code (e.g., happy-dog-42). It will then wait for a peer to connect.

2. Receive the File

On the receiving machine, join the session using the room code provided by the sender:

dropwire receive happy-dog-42

What happens next?

1. Discovery: DropWire automatically searches your local network (LAN/Wi-Fi) using UDP Multicast to see if the sender is nearby. If they aren’t, it falls back to a secure internet relay.
2. Authentication: The two machines securely authenticate each other using the room code (SPAKE2).
3. Transfer: The file is streamed, verified, and saved to your local disk.