> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.zerotwo.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# File Retention

> How long ZeroTwo keeps your uploaded files, how to delete them, and what ZeroTwo does with your uploads.

When you upload files to ZeroTwo — for analysis, as context for a chat, or as part of a project — those files are stored in your account. This page explains how file storage works, how long files are kept, and how to manage or delete them.

## Where Files Are Stored

Your uploaded files are stored **per-account in Supabase storage**, which is hosted on AWS infrastructure:

* **Encrypted at rest** — file contents are encrypted using AES-256
* **Per-account isolation** — your files are not accessible to other ZeroTwo users
* **No shared storage** — files are scoped strictly to the account that uploaded them

## How Long Files Are Kept

**Files persist until you delete them or delete your account.** There is no automatic expiration or time-based cleanup of uploaded files.

This means:

* Files you uploaded a year ago are still there unless you deleted them
* Files are retained for as long as your account is active
* Account deletion removes all file storage associated with your account

## Project Files

Files uploaded within a project are scoped to that project:

* Project files are accessible within the project context
* **Deleting a project also deletes its associated files** — this is permanent
* Files uploaded outside of a project are stored in your general file library at `/files`

<Warning>
  When you delete a project, all files associated with that project are permanently deleted. There is no way to recover them after deletion. Download any important project files before deleting a project.
</Warning>

## What ZeroTwo Does with Your Files

When you upload a file and reference it in a conversation, ZeroTwo:

1. **Analyzes the file content** at the time it's used in your chat — reading text, parsing data, etc.
2. **Uses the analysis to respond** to your message in context
3. **Does not build a persistent searchable index** of your file contents beyond what's necessary to store the file
4. **Does not share your files** with other users
5. **Does not use your files to train AI models**

Your files stay private to your account. The AI analysis happens in the context of your conversation and is not stored separately as a searchable index.

## Accessing Your Files

All your uploaded files are accessible from the `/files` page:

* View all files organized by upload date or name
* Preview supported file types
* Download any file to your computer
* Delete individual files

To access your file library, navigate to `/files` in ZeroTwo.

## Deleting Files

### Deleting Individual Files

From the `/files` page:

1. Hover over the file you want to delete
2. Click the delete icon that appears
3. Confirm the deletion

The file is permanently removed from your account.

### Bulk Deleting Files

To delete all your uploaded files at once:

1. Go to **Settings → Data Controls → Clear Files**
2. Click **Clear Files**
3. Confirm — all files are permanently deleted

<Warning>
  File deletion is **permanent and cannot be undone**. There is no recycle bin or recovery mechanism. Only delete files you're certain you no longer need.
</Warning>

## Before Deleting Your Account

If you're planning to delete your ZeroTwo account, your file storage will be permanently deleted as part of that process. Before deleting your account:

1. Go to `/files` and download any files you want to keep
2. Review your projects for any project-specific files you need
3. Then proceed with account deletion in **Settings → Account → Delete Account**

Once your account is deleted, all file storage is gone — there is no way to recover it.

## Sharing Chats That Reference Files

When you share a chat link that includes a file analysis:

* The **shared link contains only the conversation text** — what ZeroTwo said about the file
* The **file itself is not shared** — viewers cannot access or download your uploaded file
* Your file stays private even if the conversation about it is publicly shared

<Info>
  Shared links expose the text of your conversation, not the underlying files. This is an important distinction if your file contains sensitive information — the conversation text may reveal file contents through quotes, summaries, or analysis.
</Info>

## File Size and Format Limits

File upload limits depend on your plan:

| Plan       | Files Per Request  |
| ---------- | ------------------ |
| Free       | 1 file per request |
| Pro        | Higher limits      |
| Pro 2x     | Higher limits      |
| Plus Ultra | Highest limits     |
| Business   | Highest limits     |

For specific file size limits and supported formats, see the relevant section in the ZeroTwo documentation.

## Frequently Asked Questions

<Accordion title="Can I recover a deleted file?">
  No. File deletion in ZeroTwo is permanent. There is no recycle bin or backup recovery for individual files. Always download important files before deleting them.
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="Are files included in the data export?">
  The data export (Settings → Data Controls → Export Data) includes your conversation history and memories. For files themselves, download them directly from `/files` before exporting or deleting your account.
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="What happens to files if I downgrade from a paid plan?">
  Your existing files are retained when you downgrade. You may be limited in how many new files you can upload per request on the lower plan, but previously uploaded files remain accessible.
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="Do files expire if I'm on the Free plan?">
  No. Files do not expire based on plan tier. They persist until you delete them or delete your account, regardless of which plan you're on.
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="Can org members in a Business plan see each other's files?">
  No. Files are scoped to individual accounts. Members of the same Business org cannot access each other's personal file uploads. File isolation is per-account.
</Accordion>