Simple File Manager

Simple File Manager was created to address a practical need: deploying a lightweight file-management tool inside a Tomcat or WebLogic server. It provides a straightforward way to browse, access, and manage files belonging to an application running on the same application server, especially in environments where no other file-handling interfaces are available.

Use cases

• Editing configuration files (e.g., application.properties, logback.xml)
• Reviewing or downloading log files
• Moving or renaming files and directories
• Quickly inspecting generated artifacts or temporary files

Build & Run

Build the docker image with the latest code and run it by issuing the following command:

docker image build -t simple-file-manager . && \
docker container run \
  -p 9000:8080 \
  --rm \
  --name sfm \
  -v .:/tmp/myrepo \
  simple-file-manager

Then open your browser at http://localhost:9000/sfm.

Note: -v .:/tmp/myrepo mounts the current directory on the host into /tmp/myrepo inside the container.

Authentication

Simple File Manager can be protected with HTTP Basic Authentication.

• By default, Basic Auth is disabled.
• To enable Basic Auth, you must configure a username and password using either:
  • Environment variables BASIC_AUTH_USER and BASIC_AUTH_PASSWORD, or
  • JVM system properties sfm_basic_auth_user and sfm_basic_auth_password.
• If both environment variables and JVM properties are set, JVM properties take precedence.
• If either the username or password is missing after this resolution, Basic Auth remains disabled.

Example Docker run command enabling Basic Auth via environment variables:

docker container run \
  -p 9000:8080 \
  --rm \
  --name sfm \
  -v .:/tmp/myrepo \
  -e BASIC_AUTH_USER=myuser \
  -e BASIC_AUTH_PASSWORD=mypassword \
  simple-file-manager

Get the sfm.war file

Make sure you have built the Docker image containing the war file you want to get. Then run the following command:

docker container run \
    -p 9000:8080 \
    --rm \
    --name sfm \
    -v ./out:/out \
    simple-file-manager \
    cp /usr/local/tomcat/webapps/sfm.war /out

That will leave the sfm.war file inside the ./out directory, in this folder.

Installation

Prerequisites

• A Java application server (for example, Apache Tomcat or Oracle WebLogic).

Deploying Simple File Manager

1. Obtain the sfm.war file (see the section above).
2. Deploy sfm.war to your application server as you would with any other web application.
3. Start or restart the application server so it picks up the new deployment.

Enabling Basic Auth in a Java app server

If you want to enable HTTP Basic Authentication when running on a Java application server, configure the credentials using either:

• Environment variables BASIC_AUTH_USER and BASIC_AUTH_PASSWORD, or
• JVM system properties sfm_basic_auth_user and sfm_basic_auth_password.

If both are set, JVM system properties take precedence. If either the username or password is missing after this resolution, Basic Auth remains disabled.

For example, on Tomcat you can export the environment variables in setenv.sh (or the equivalent startup script) before starting the server, or pass the JVM properties:

JAVA_OPTS="${JAVA_OPTS} -Dsfm_basic_auth_user=myuser -Dsfm_basic_auth_password=mypassword"

Tested application servers

The following application servers have been tested successfully with Simple File Manager:

• Apache Tomcat 10

Screenshots

Disclaimer

Simple File Manager was developed by a monkey with a shotgun (me). I am not a developer, and this webapp was built with the help of an AI agent. As a result, nothing in this software should be assumed to follow proper engineering practices, security standards, or production-grade quality.

I take no responsibility for any bad practices, security breaches, vulnerabilities, data loss, unauthorized access, service interruptions, or any other direct or indirect damage resulting from the use, installation, or modification of this tool. Users are solely responsible for evaluating the risks, securing their environment, and determining whether this application is suitable for their needs.

Installation and usage of Simple File Manager are entirely at the user’s own risk. No official support is provided, no updates are guaranteed, and there is no commitment to maintain this project in the future.