> 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/managing-projects-and-files/the-file-tree.md).

# The file tree

The file tree in the left sidebar is where you do everything file-related in a project: open, create, rename, move, and delete.

## Working with files

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

### Create

Create a new file or folder with **Add file**, **New File**, or **New Folder**.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Open or act on a file

Click a file to open it. Right-click for more options: **Open in Editor**, **Open Preview**, **Rename**, **Duplicate**, **Download**, or **Extract Here** for a `.zip`.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Reorganize

Drag files and folders to reorganize, or use copy/cut/paste.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Batch actions

Select multiple items for batch actions like delete, move, or **Download as ZIP**.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

{% hint style="info" %}
Useful shortcuts: `F2` renames, `Cmd/Ctrl+Backspace` deletes, `Cmd/Ctrl+C/X/V` copy, cut, and paste.
{% endhint %}

## Organizing a large project

Once a project outgrows a flat list of files, group them into folders by purpose, for example `docs/`, `notebooks/`, `data/`, and `figures/`. Keep naming consistent so files stay easy to find in search.

{% hint style="success" %}
If you're not sure how to structure a growing project, describe what's in it and ask the AI to suggest a folder layout, then apply the reorganization yourself with drag-and-drop or **Rename**.
{% endhint %}

Renaming or moving a file only updates the file tree. It doesn't rewrite paths that other documents use to reference it. Update any `\includegraphics`, Markdown image links, or similar references yourself afterward.

## Things to know

* Deleting a file is immediate. There's no recycle bin.
* In a shared project, viewers can't rename, move, or delete files.
* Clicking a `.pdf` opens or downloads it using your browser's own PDF handling, not inside the editor.

## Troubleshooting

<details>

<summary>You can't rename or delete a file</summary>

Check whether the project is shared and your role is view-only.

</details>

<details>

<summary>A paste or download fails</summary>

Retry. If it keeps failing, you may be near a storage limit.

</details>

<details>

<summary>A .zip won't extract</summary>

Confirm the archive isn't corrupted and try again.

</details>

## Next steps

* [Managing your projects](/managing-projects-and-files/managing-your-projects.md)
* [Inserting images and figures](/writing-and-editing/inserting-images-and-figures.md)