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Dave Kurian
Dave Kurian

Posted on • Originally published at otf-kit.dev

Proton launches cross-platform Drive CLI for encrypted terminal file management

#cli #cloud #news #security

Proton Drive CLI: cross-platform encrypted cloud storage via command line

Encrypted cloud storage that works the same on every OS, scriptable to the core — that's the promise behind Proton's new Proton Drive CLI. This tool ditches the old GUI overhead and finally puts encrypted file management, automated workflows, and scheduled backups in reach from the terminal — on Windows, macOS, and Linux alike. If you've been waiting to orchestrate fully encrypted storage in your scripts, or you just want automation and file management unshackled from the browser, Proton Drive CLI is the upgrade move power users have been waiting for.

What is Proton Drive CLI and why use it?

Proton Drive CLI is Proton's official terminal-based tool for managing encrypted cloud storage across Windows, Mac, and Linux. This isn't just a wrapper on top of the GUI — it enables native command-line access to every file operation, from folder listings to sharing permissions, with cryptographic security built in end-to-end.

Why use it? Terminal-first workflows mean you can cut out the mouse, automate uploads and downloads, and fold cloud storage straight into scripts and CI/CD. The CLI makes automation a first-class citizen: scheduled cron jobs, integration into deployment pipelines, and zero-interaction backups all become trivial. Proton's encrypted cloud storage model remains: all files are encrypted client-side, and the CLI doesn't compromise that stance. Your sessions are tucked away securely using the host OS's credential managers (Keychain, Windows Credential Manager).

But the CLI does what the GUI can't: direct scripting, headless operation, and programmable access for every critical operation. It’s the only way to operate securely at scale — IDE-agnostic, shell-friendly, and future-proof for collaborative workflows.

[[CONCEPT: terminal-driven encrypted storage management]]

Key features of Proton Drive CLI

The value prop comes down to three pillars: fully scriptable file operations, collaborative controls, and automation-ready output.

Full suite of filesystem commands

The CLI exposes direct commands for listing directories, trash management, and downloading folders — all from the terminal. Core supported operations include:

  • Directory listing: Inspect contents quickly, filter, and manage structure.
  • Move to trash: Remove files/folders without GUI overhead or risk of data exposure in the process.
  • Folder download: Bulk-sync folders to local storage, ideal for backup scripts.

Collaboration made programmable

You can manage collaborators as code. The CLI lets you:

  • Check folder sharing status: Instantly see who can access what, and with what permissions.
  • Invite collaborators: Grant access to any shared folder, with tight control — send invitations with explicit editor/viewer permissions and customizable messages; automate provisioning for teammates.

Example:

proton-drive invite --folder "my-shared-folder" --email "someone@example.com" --role editor --message "Collaborate on Q3 reports"
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Automation via JSON export

Every CLI output can be piped as structured JSON. This is foundational for scripting:

  • Use the --json flag to make Proton Drive CLI output directly consumable by other tools and scripts.
  • Parse file statuses, listing results, or share permissions without brittle text parsing.

Example:

proton-drive list --folder "receipts" --json | jq '.[] | select(.size > 1048576)'
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This design turns encrypted storage into a reliable subsystem for backup automation, migration scripts, or CI deployments.

True cross-platform reach

Run it on the OS of your choice. Binaries are available for Windows, Mac, and Linux, with consistent command syntax and behavior across platforms. No loss of security or set of features for any platform — both developers and admins get the same experience everywhere.

Takeaway: this is an encrypted cloud storage CLI built for deep scripting, automation, and modern collaboration — not a bolted-on afterthought for unix diehards.

How do I install Proton Drive CLI on Windows, Mac, and Linux?

Install steps are dead simple for a cross-platform tool — Proton has done the work to make friction basically zero.

Download and set up

On macOS or Linux:

  1. Download the latest Proton Drive CLI binary (as published by Proton).
  2. Make it executable: 
   chmod +x proton-drive
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  1. Run the executable from your shell: 
   ./proton-drive auth
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On Windows:

  • Download the pre-built binary and run it from PowerShell or CMD.

Session security

The CLI securely stores your login session in native OS vaults:

  • macOS: Apple Keychain
  • Windows: Windows Credential Manager
  • Linux: The standard credential store used by your distro

Authentication starts a browser-based login flow, keeping secrets off the terminal. After that, credentials are managed by the OS, so scripts never handle raw tokens.

Advanced install

If you want to build from source, clone the official repo, install dependencies with Bun, and compile TypeScript. Nearly all users are better served by the binary — avoids friction and maximizes compatibility.

No version numbers were specified in the public release, but Proton’s rapidly iterating this tool — check their release channels for v1.x or later as it emerges.

Takeaway: minimal install friction, maximum session security, and no platform left behind.

Using Proton Drive CLI: common commands explained

Here’s where it gets capable. Proton Drive CLI is designed for scripting and automation, so every core storage operation is a single terminal line.

Authenticate and log in

Starts a system browser flow that never exposes your password inside the terminal:

proton-drive auth
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After authentication, session credentials are managed natively.

List remote directories or contents

To see the files or folders within a directory (basic listing):

proton-drive list --folder "projects/2026"
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With automation in mind, every listing can be output as JSON:

proton-drive list --folder "projects/2026" --json
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Upload files, with skip-duplicate logic

For safe, idempotent backing up — the CLI skips files already on the server by default:

proton-drive upload --folder "backups" ./weekly/reports/*
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No repeated uploads, smooth in crons or CI/CD.

Move remote items to trash

Classic cleanup pattern:

proton-drive trash --file "projects/2023/old.pdf"
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Share status and collaborate programmatically

See who can access a folder, in a human-readable report or JSON — critical for audits:

proton-drive share-status --folder "shared-folder"
proton-drive share-status --folder "shared-folder" --json
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Send an invitation as code:

proton-drive invite --folder "engineering" --email "alice@example.com" --role editor --message "Sprint planning"
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Download a folder for backup or processing

Bulk-dump everything in a directory to local storage:

proton-drive download --folder "invoices-2025" --dest ./invoices-2025/
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Structured JSON outputs for integration/automation

Every listing, status, and share can become a programmatic artifact:

proton-drive list --folder "src" --json | jq '.[] | select(.type == "file")'
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Critical for cron-driven backup jobs or integration into devops flows:

  • Schedule periodic offsite backups.
  • Generate inventory scripts before audits.
  • Merge Proton Drive storage as a true first-class citizen in complex automations.

[[DIAGRAM: CLI automation flow — terminal → Proton Drive CLI → OS credential store → Proton encrypted cloud backend]]

Takeaway: every shell command is a moveable part in a larger workflow, not a dead-end afterthought.

What’s coming next for Proton Drive CLI?

Proton is just getting started — the CLI is a living surface. On the public roadmap:

  • Photo management: The ability to organize, move, and search photo libraries through the CLI.
  • Secure public links: Share files/folders using cryptographically secure links, as code, without opening a GUI.
  • Custom albums: Bring order to large datasets, research troves, or photo vaults directly from scripts.
  • Multi-account switching: Authenticate and operate with multiple Proton accounts — ideal for admins or anyone managing both work and personal storage.

These features will compound the CLI’s utility for multi-user environments, collaborative teams, and anyone who treats encrypted storage as a programmable backend.

Takeaway: this roadmap signals Proton's intent to make the CLI a peer to — not a derivative of — the GUI, enabling real-time, headless, and highly automated cloud workflows.

Final takeaway: encrypted, cross-platform, scriptable cloud storage — no GUI required

Proton Drive CLI isn’t another “me too” tool. It’s a scriptable, secure cloud storage layer — available on every major OS, with first-class automation, programmable sharing, and real end-to-end encryption. This CLI enables automation at scale and brings encrypted file management into your terminal, cron job, or devops script. If you need more than a drag-and-drop UI — if automation, integration, and security are non-negotiable — Proton Drive CLI is now the reference standard.

Try it where you live: your shell. Secure, cross-platform, and built for the workflows the browser forgot.

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