- How do I install filament-file-explorer in a Laravel app?
- Install it with composer require koassi/filament-file-explorer. Then publish the Spatie Media Library migrations with php artisan vendor:publish --provider="Spatie\MediaLibrary\MediaLibraryServiceProvider" --tag="medialibrary-migrations" and run php artisan migrate. Run php artisan filament-file-explorer:install and register FilamentFileExplorerPlugin::make() in your panel provider's panel() method. Finally add the package views to your Filament theme with an @source line, rebuild assets with npm run build, and run php artisan filament:assets.
- Which Filament versions does this file explorer support?
- The package targets Filament v4 and v5, so it fits modern panels rather than older v2/v3 installs. Because the plugin is registered through the standard panel plugin API, it slots into your existing panel provider without extra bootstrapping. If you are still on Filament v3, you would need to upgrade your panel before adopting it.
- Do I need Spatie Media Library to use it?
- Yes. The explorer is a file browser UI backed by Spatie Media Library over a folder tree, so the medialibrary package is the storage layer. You must publish and run the Media Library migrations before the explorer will work. Files you see in the Finder-style interface are Media Library records, not a separate storage system.
- Can I use it as a form component instead of a full page?
- Yes, it ships in two modes. By default it registers a standalone Explorer page in your panel navigation at /{panel}/file-explorer, backed by a single root folder created on first visit. Alternatively you can drop it into a form as a component when you want file browsing inside a resource or custom form.
- How do I try the file explorer with demo content?
- After installing, run php artisan file-explorer:demo. It seeds sample folders and files so you can click around the icons, columns, details view, drag and drop and trash without uploading anything yourself. It is the quickest way to evaluate the UI before wiring it into real storage.
- Why does the explorer look unstyled or miss Tailwind classes after installing?
- Filament themes only compile classes found in scanned files, so the package's Blade views must be registered in your theme CSS. Add @source '../../../../vendor/koassi/filament-file-explorer/resources/views/**/*.blade.php'; to your theme, then run npm run build. Also run php artisan filament:assets so the published assets are refreshed.
- Does it support trash, quotas and drag and drop?
- Yes. The package includes drag and drop moving, a trash for deleted files, per-folder or per-user style quotas, tags, version history and share links, alongside icons, list columns and detail views. There is also keyboard navigation for power users who prefer not to use a mouse. These features are all part of the Finder-style experience rather than add-ons you build yourself.
- Can I generate share links and keep file versions?
- Yes, share links and versioning are built into the explorer. You can hand out a link to a file without exposing the whole folder tree, and previous versions are tracked so a file can be rolled back. Both features sit on top of the Spatie Media Library records backing each file.
- Is keyboard navigation supported in the file explorer?
- Yes. The interface is designed for keyboard operation as well as mouse use, with a Finder-like feel for navigating folders and selecting files. Combined with the columns and details views, that makes it practical for developers who manage a lot of uploads. Drag and drop remains available for anyone who prefers pointer interaction.
- Is the package actively maintained and tested, and what are the alternatives?
- The repository ships a GitHub Actions test workflow and a dedicated documentation site covering installation and configuration, which are good signals of ongoing maintenance; check the badge status and release history before committing. The obvious alternatives are Filament's native FileUpload field, a plain Spatie Media Library integration, or a custom panel page you build yourself. This package mainly saves you the effort of recreating the Finder-style UI, trash, quotas and share links.