# 5. Folder Monitoring
Address: http://localhost:55000/config → Folders tab
This is where you tell TotumService which local folders to watch and where to upload matching files.
# What happens when you add a folder?
On a schedule (often every 30 seconds), TotumService scans the folder. When it finds a file that matches your include patterns:
- Detected — recorded in the tracking database
- Stable — waits until the file stops changing
- Uploading — sent to your bucket via the transfer provider (usually S3)
- Uploaded — success (optionally deletes the local file if you enabled that)
Changes you make here usually apply without restarting the service.
Track individual files in Database Explorer.
# Add a folder
- Open Configuration → Folders.
- Click Add Folder.
- Fill in the form (see field guide below).
- Click Save Folder.
- Confirm the folder appears in the list with status Enabled (if you left Enabled on).
# Empty list
If no folders are configured, use Add First Folder and start with one simple path (for example a test folder with a few PDFs).
# Field guide
| Field | Required | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Folder Name | Yes | Short label for logs and Database Explorer (not sent to S3) |
| Folder Path | Yes | Full Windows path the service account can read, e.g. C:\Data\Reports |
| Include Patterns | Yes | Globs such as *.pdf, *.docx. Use * for everything |
| Exclude Patterns | No | Skip temp files, e.g. *.tmp, ~$* |
| Destination Bucket | Yes | S3 bucket name your credentials can write to |
| Destination Prefix | No | Path inside the bucket, e.g. reports/ → file becomes reports/myfile.pdf |
| Recursive | No | Also watch subfolders |
| Delete after upload | No | Removes the local file after a successful upload |
| Enabled | No | Start monitoring immediately after save |
# Warning: Delete after upload
This is permanent for the local copy. Only enable it if you are sure files are backed up or no longer needed on disk.
# Pattern examples
| Goal | Include | Exclude |
|---|---|---|
| PDFs only | *.pdf |
(none) |
| Documents | *.pdf, *.docx |
*.tmp |
| Images | *.jpg, *.png |
(none) |
| Everything except temps | * |
*.tmp, *.partial |
Quick-add buttons on the form help you insert common patterns.
# Managing existing folders
From the folder list you can typically:
- Enable / Disable monitoring without deleting the config
- Edit path, patterns, bucket, options
- Delete the configuration (does not by itself delete files on disk)
Use disable when you want to pause uploads temporarily.
# Permissions checklist
The Windows service usually runs as Local System. Ensure:
- The path exists
- System (or the service account) can read the folder
- If delete-after-upload is on, it can also delete files
- Antivirus is not locking files for long periods (can delay “stable”)
# Verify it works
- Place a small file that matches your include pattern into the folder.
- Wait for scan interval + stability wait (often under a minute total with defaults).
- Dashboard → Active Transfers should show activity.
- Database Explorer → file should move to Uploaded.
- Confirm the object appears in the S3 bucket under your prefix.
If nothing happens, see Troubleshooting.
# Providers tab
Configuration → Providers explains that enable/disable is done on the dashboard, and that connection settings live in appsettings.json. Full provider editing in the UI may still be marked “coming soon”.