---
title: File Explorer
description: The file explorer allows you to create and manage files and directories within a single project.
---

# File Explorer

The file explorer allows you to create, navigate and manage files and directories within project your project.

## Navigating the explorer

The file explorer can be accessed via the left menu in the editor:

![File Explorer](/assets/file-explorer-example.png)

If you're familar with Dart/Flutter projects, the layout will feel familar.
The root of the project consists at minuim of a `pubspec.yaml` file,
used for [managing packages](/features/packages) and a `lib` directory which will contain
your Dart files and code.

### Creating files

You can create files a number of ways:

- Right clicking the directory, and selecting "Create file".
- Clicking the "Create file" icon in the Explorer header, or when hoving on a specific directory.

![Creating Files](/assets/file-explorer-creating.gif)

### Uploading files

You can upload files from your local file system by either dragging and dropping them into the explorer section
(or directory), or by clicking the "Upload file" icon in the Explorer header.

![Uploading](/assets/file-explorer-uploading.gif)

<Warning>The maximum size per file upload is 512kb.</Warning>

### Deleting files & directories

To delete a file, right click the file and select "Delete file" or "Delete directory".

<Info>The `pubspec.yaml` file and `lib` directory cannot be deleted.</Info>

## The `web` directory

The `web` directory is a special directory in your project when editing a Flutter project.
It contains the files that will be served publically when previewing the application.

![File Explorer](/assets/file-explorer-web-dir.png)

Alongside public assests such as favicon and manifest files, the `index.html` file is also located here.

This file allows you to import scripts, change the title of the application (in the browser) and more. You can
learn more about this file in the [offical documentation](https://docs.flutter.dev/development/platform-integration/web/initialization).

If you delete the `web` directory or `index.html` file, a barebones file will be used instead.

## Hidden directories

Some directories and files are hidden by default, and are greyed out in the explorer. These include the
`.dart_tool` & `build` directories, alongwith the `pubspec.lock` file. 

It is not recommended you modify files within these directories since contents may be overwritten
during the buid process. Files within these directories are visible for educational and debugging purposes.