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init

init - Initialize Device Only
Register your device with FileFortress

Register your device with FileFortress and set up the local configuration. Note: For new users, consider using the setup command instead for a complete onboarding experience.

New to FileFortress?

The setup command provides a complete onboarding experience that includes device initialization, cloud storage setup, and initial scanning. Learn more about setup

Syntax

filefortress init [--code <registration_code>] [options]
filefortress init --non-interactive [--code <registration_code>] [options]
Interactive by Default

The init command runs in interactive mode by default for the best user experience. Use --non-interactive when you need scripted or automated usage.

Mode Options

Parameter Description Default
--non-interactive Run in non-interactive mode (requires --code) false
--quiet Suppress progress messages in script mode false

Parameters

Parameter Description Required Example
--code Registration code from your dashboard (required in non-interactive mode, prompted in interactive mode) In non-interactive mode --code ABC123XYZ
--name Device name (optional in both modes, will be prompted in interactive mode) Optional --name "My Laptop"

Additional Optional Parameters

Parameter Description Default
--type Device type (desktop, mobile, server, laptop, tablet) desktop
--create-key-file File or folder path where to create a private key file (only valid with global --password option) None
Password Setup

When using the global --password option during initialization, you can also specify --create-key-file to automatically create a private key file. This allows you to use --key-file instead of typing your password for future commands.

Examples

Interactive initialization (recommended):
filefortress init
Guided setup with prompts for all options. This is the easiest and most user-friendly way to get started.
Interactive setup with pre-filled options:
filefortress init
The interactive session will guide you through all setup steps, including device name, registration code, and security options.
For scripting/automation:
filefortress init --non-interactive --code ABC123XYZ --name "Server-01"
Non-interactive mode for automated scripts. Useful for setting up multiple devices with specific names.
Initialize with custom password (non-interactive):
filefortress --password mySecretPassword init --non-interactive --code ABC123XYZ --create-key-file ./my-key.key
Sets up a user-defined password and creates a key file for convenient authentication in future commands.
Security Recommendations
  • Use automatic encryption mode for personal devices where convenience is preferred
  • Use custom password mode when you need to access data from multiple devices
  • Always create a key file when using custom passwords to avoid typing the password repeatedly
  • Store key files securely and back them up safely

Next Steps

After initializing your device, here's what to do next:

Add Cloud Storage
Connect your cloud storage accounts with the remotes command
Learn More
Scan Files
Build your file index with remotes scan
Learn More
Start Searching
Find your files with the search command
Learn More