# ADR 000: Trial Filen for the working document library

- HTML version: https://robbiepalmer.me/projects/personal-digital-infrastructure/adrs/000-filen-document-library-trial
- Project: Personal Digital Infrastructure (https://robbiepalmer.me/projects/personal-digital-infrastructure.md)
- Status: Proposed
- Date: 2026-10-18
- Initiatives: Digital Twins for Everyday Life (https://robbiepalmer.me/initiatives/digital-twins-for-everyday-life.md)

# Context

Personal documents accumulated across old computers, Google Drive, OneDrive,
and removable storage. Most files are now consolidated on one external hard
drive for deduplication. That drive is neither an offsite copy nor a convenient
way to retrieve a document from Android or another computer.

The replacement needs end-to-end encryption, macOS, Ubuntu, Android, and web
access. Routine transfers, checks, and clean-machine recovery should not depend
on many GUI steps. The cloud library will be a synchronized working copy, not
the only copy or the independent backup.

Filen offers encrypted storage with desktop and mobile clients. Its
[CLI](https://docs.filen.io/docs/cli/) supports sync, mounting, WebDAV, and S3
access. This is a better match for Ubuntu and agent-operated file workflows
than a transfer-only command line.

# Decision

Trial Filen first with a representative copy of the consolidated document
library. Keep every Google Drive, OneDrive, and hard-drive source during the
trial.

Use nested folders, large files, common office formats, scans, Unicode names,
and deliberate duplicates. Test the macOS and Android apps, web interface, and
Ubuntu CLI. Exercise both on-demand transfers and continuous synchronization.

Promote Filen only after the trial proves:

* manifests before and after transfer match;
* a deleted file and an earlier version can be recovered;
* a clean Ubuntu machine can restore the test set with documented commands;
* Android can open, download, edit, and upload the document types used in
  practice;
* unattended CLI sync reports failures clearly and does not duplicate or lose
  files after conflicts; and
* the measured library fits the selected plan with growth headroom.

Filen currently lists 200 GB at
[€1.99 per month](https://filen.io/pricing), or €23.88 per year, and 500 GB at
€3.99 per month, or €47.88 per year. Recheck the checkout price, tax, and
renewal terms before accepting this decision.

# Alternatives

## Proton Drive

Proton Drive provides end-to-end encrypted file storage, polished mobile
access, and a CLI. Its Linux CLI supports transfers but does not provide the
same continuous sync and mount options as Filen. It becomes the preferred
second trial if Filen fails, or if paid Proton Pass and VPN trials make Proton
Unlimited economically compelling.

## Cloudflare R2

R2 has an S3-compatible API, strong command-line tooling, and no egress charge.
It is an object store rather than a personal sync product. It has no first-party
document browser or offline mobile workflow. Keep it for project objects. The
working personal library needs a sync product.

## Google Drive or OneDrive

Both have polished clients and already hold historical files. Neither is a
preferred provider, and retaining both would preserve the fragmentation this
decision should remove. They remain migration sources until manifests and
recovery tests prove the move complete.

# Consequences

The first trial costs less than Proton Drive and tests the strongest current
Linux and CLI candidate. The Android and macOS experience remains unproven, and
Filen's [roadmap](https://filen.io/hub/roadmap/) still includes sync-engine and
security-audit work. A failed trial loses no sole copy and can move directly to
the Proton Drive comparison.

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