> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.papers.ai/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.papers.ai/collaborating/share-a-project-and-manage-access.md).

# Share a project and manage access

There are two ways to get a collaborator working with your project: share it for live co-editing, or send them a copy of your files. If you're unsure, sharing is the lower-friction default. Sending a copy is for when you specifically want them to have an independent copy, possibly offline, possibly without a Papers AI account.

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="Share for live co-editing" %}
Only cloud projects can be shared. If your project is currently temporary or local, saving it to the cloud is the first step; this requires an account, so you'll be asked to sign up if you haven't already.

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

### Open Share

Click **Share** in the project header. If the project isn't already in the cloud, Papers AI saves it there first, then opens the sharing controls.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Invite

Invite collaborators by email or by copying an invite link.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Assign a role

Choose a role for each collaborator:

* **Viewer**: can view, but not edit.
* **Editor**: can view and edit.
* **Admin**: can view and edit, and can also manage sharing (invite, remove, and change other collaborators' roles).
  {% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Manage access later

To remove someone's access later, open **Share** again and remove them from the members list.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

You'll know it worked when the project shows a **Shared** badge and your collaborator can open it from their own dashboard.

#### Stop sharing

As the project owner, you can remove all collaborators and return the project to **Private** from the **Share** panel. This doesn't move the project back to local storage. It stays in the cloud, just private again.

{% hint style="warning" %}
Papers AI doesn't currently support transferring project ownership to another collaborator. Whoever created the project stays the owner for its lifetime.
{% endhint %}
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Send a copy instead" %}
Use this when the other person should have their own independent copy: to work offline, to hand off without requiring a Papers AI account, or because you want to keep the original untouched.

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

### Download

From the file tree or project menu, use **Download** (or **Download as ZIP** for the whole project).
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Send it

Send the file however you'd send any file: email, a shared drive, or a sync tool like Dropbox.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### They import it

The recipient imports it as their own project using **Open from device**.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

Edits don't sync back and forth this way. You each have an independent copy from that point on.

{% hint style="success" %}
Ask the AI to draft the invite message, or a short handoff note summarizing what's in the project, so your collaborator knows where to start. See [Using AI](/using-ai/using-ai.md).
{% endhint %}
{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}

## Troubleshooting

<details>

<summary>Share is missing or disabled</summary>

Only the project owner and editors with admin rights can manage sharing.

</details>

<details>

<summary>A collaborator lost access</summary>

Check whether their invite was revoked, their role was changed, or the project was set back to private.

</details>

<details>

<summary>The Share button isn't visible at all</summary>

You aren't logged in. Log in from the account menu.

</details>

## Next steps

* [Real-time collaboration](/collaborating/real-time-collaboration.md)
* [Create or open your first project](/getting-started/create-or-open-your-first-project.md)
* [Core concepts](/getting-started/core-concepts.md): the difference between storage location and access.