Storage
Paperclip stores uploads such as attachments, screenshots, and other assets through a configurable storage provider.
Use this page when you need to understand where files live locally or when you are switching to object storage for a shared deployment.
Storage Modes
| Provider | Best for |
|---|---|
local_disk |
Local development, single-machine use |
s3 |
Production, multi-node, cloud deployments |
Note: Storage configuration lives in the instance config file, not in the database schema.
Local Disk
This is the default provider for local installs.
Files are stored at:
~/.paperclip/instances/default/data/storage
No additional setup is required. This is the right choice when the instance is local and single-node.
S3-Compatible Storage
Use S3-compatible object storage when you want the instance to behave like a real shared deployment.
That includes providers such as:
- AWS S3
- MinIO
- Cloudflare R2
Configure it through the CLI:
pnpm paperclipai configure --section storage
Use this when the instance may run on more than one machine or when local disk would not be durable enough.
What Gets Stored
The storage layer is used for uploaded files that belong to company activity, including issue attachments and images.
If you are trying to track down a missing upload, verify both the storage provider and the instance data directory.
Tip: If a local upload disappears after a restart, check whether you were running inside a container or another ephemeral environment without the bind mount you expected.