> 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

Navigate, create, rename, move, and organize the files in your project from the left sidebar.

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)