How to Use the Command 'tailscale file' (with examples)
‘Tailscale file’ is a command-line tool designed for easy and secure file transferring between devices within a Tailscale network. Leveraging Tailscale’s mesh VPN capabilities, it allows users to send files across their network quickly and securely. However, it should be noted that currently, ’tailscale file’ does not support sending files to devices owned by other users, even if they are part of the same Tailscale network. This makes it ideal for personal or controlled environments where the Tailscale network is under a single user’s administrative domain.
Use case 1: Send a file to a specific node
Code:
sudo tailscale file cp path/to/file hostname|ip:
Motivation:
Imagine a scenario where you are working on a project across multiple devices, such as a desktop computer and a laptop, both connected through a Tailscale network. You have just made some important changes to a document on your desktop and you need to continue working on it on your laptop. The ’tailscale file’ command allows you to seamlessly transfer this file across your devices without needing to use external cloud services or physical media, thus ensuring both speed and security.
Explanation:
sudo: This prefix is used to ensure that the command is run with superuser privileges, which might be required to access specific network or file operations.tailscale file cp: This tells Tailscale to copy a file. ‘cp’ indicates the operation of copying from the source to the destination within the Tailscale network.path/to/file: This argument specifies the exact location of the file you wish to transfer. It’s important to provide the correct path so that the command can access and identify the right file to send.hostname|ip: Here, you need to provide the hostname or IP address of the device within the Tailscale network to which you want to send the file. This acts as the destination identifier, ensuring the file reaches the correct device.
Example Output:
Upon executing the command, you may not see explicit output in the terminal, as the operation is handled seamlessly by Tailscale. However, once the transfer is successful, you can verify the presence of the file on the destination node within the specified directory.
Use case 2: Store files that were sent to the current node into a specific directory
Code:
sudo tailscale file get path/to/directory
Motivation:
Consider a situation where you have received multiple files from various devices through your Tailscale network. Managing these files can become cumbersome if they are not organized properly. By using this command, you can direct all received files to a designated directory, making it easier to access, organize, and manage your files. This use case is particularly useful when dealing with a high volume of file transfers and when you want a structured approach to file management.
Explanation:
sudo: As before, this command is prefixed with ‘sudo’ to provide the necessary permissions to execute potentially restricted operations related to file management and network access.tailscale file get: This tells Tailscale to retrieve or gather files that have been sent to the current node.path/to/directory: This specifies the destination directory where the received files should be stored. By defining this path, you ensure that all files delivered through Tailscale are organized in a single and easily accessible location.
Example Output:
Like the ‘send’ use case, there might not be visible output in the terminal. However, the expected result is that all files sent to the node will now be available in the specified directory, ready for access or further manipulation.
Conclusion:
Using ’tailscale file’ provides a versatile and secure way to manage file transfers across devices within a Tailscale network. Whether you are transferring a single file between your own devices or organizing received files into specific directories, these functionalities enhance productivity and streamline workflows without compromising security and simplicity. While it currently limits file transfers to devices you own, its integration with Tailscale’s secure networking makes it an invaluable tool for managing files in controlled environments.
