4 ms·

QRCP: Transfer files to mobile device by scanning a QR code from the terminal

77 points by daw___ 6y ago

daw___ 6y ago
Author here, this is a refactoring of qr-filetransfer, already discussed in the past [0]. Here's how it works: qrcp binds a web server to the address of your Wi-Fi network interface on a random port and creates a handler for it. The default handler serves the content and exits the program when the transfer is complete. When used to receive files, qrcp serves an upload page and handles the transfer. The tool prints a QR code that encodes the text: http://{address}:{port}/{random_path} Most QR apps can detect URLs in decoded text and act accordingly (i.e. open the decoded URL with the default browser), so when the QR code is scanned the content will begin downloading by the mobile browser. To send one or more files (or directories): qrcp /path/to/file # Or qrcp send /path/to/file To receive one or more files: qrcp receive --output ~/Downloads [0] https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=16647977 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=16647977
RMPR 6y ago
This is the feature I'm missing the most from KDE Connect, transferring from Computer to mobile, I ended up using syncthing with a 'send_to_mobile' folder, not the main purpose but... it works.
- jraph 6y ago
  I often transfer files from the computer to the phone using KDE Connect. Right-click on a file in Dolphin > send to device. Many KDE apps also have a similar share button. I don't know how it works in other desktop environments.
  - RMPR 6y ago
    I use a WM, not a DE, that's maybe why, anyway, I didn't see anything in the KDE connect settings.
    - jraph 6y ago
      I haven't tried but you most certainly can use kdeconnect-cli --share <path> Upvoting you to increase the chance you notice my comment.
      - RMPR 6y ago
        Didn't know about that, thanks, will surely try when I reach my computer.
      - RMPR 6y ago
        Was a bit confused by the fact that you need to input the absolute path to the file, but when I send it I can manage to find where it goes in my device.
anderspitman 6y ago
Nice. I like that it goes over your local network and has a way to reverse transfer from the remote browser.
hawski 6y ago
That is nice and delightfully simple. When I saw the title I thought, that it will transfer a file entirely via continuous QR code scanning. But it would be probably too error prone and too slow, especially without a back channel to signify acks. Maybe such a thing could work between two phones facing each other screens using front cameras. I wonder how fast could it practically get.
- val_deleplace 6y ago
  See https://github.com/divan/txqr https://github.com/divan/txqr for this use case. Other probably exist. It can be useful sometimes to not bother with any network at all, e.g. an international museum machine streaming map and documentation for tourists.

77 points by daw___ 6y ago

Author here, this is a refactoring of qr-filetransfer, already discussed in the past [0]. Here's how it works: qrcp binds a web server to the address of your Wi-Fi network interface on a random port and creates a handler for it. The default handler serves the content and exits the program when the transfer is complete. When used to receive files, qrcp serves an upload page and handles the transfer. The tool prints a QR code that encodes the text: http://{address}:{port}/{random_path} Most QR apps can detect URLs in decoded text and act accordingly (i.e. open the decoded URL with the default browser), so when the QR code is scanned the content will begin downloading by the mobile browser. To send one or more files (or directories): qrcp /path/to/file # Or qrcp send /path/to/file To receive one or more files: qrcp receive --output ~/Downloads [0] https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=16647977 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=16647977

RMPR 6y ago

This is the feature I'm missing the most from KDE Connect, transferring from Computer to mobile, I ended up using syncthing with a 'send_to_mobile' folder, not the main purpose but... it works.

jraph 6y ago
I often transfer files from the computer to the phone using KDE Connect. Right-click on a file in Dolphin > send to device. Many KDE apps also have a similar share button. I don't know how it works in other desktop environments.
- RMPR 6y ago
  I use a WM, not a DE, that's maybe why, anyway, I didn't see anything in the KDE connect settings.
  - jraph 6y ago
    I haven't tried but you most certainly can use kdeconnect-cli --share <path> Upvoting you to increase the chance you notice my comment.
    - RMPR 6y ago
      Didn't know about that, thanks, will surely try when I reach my computer.
    - RMPR 6y ago
      Was a bit confused by the fact that you need to input the absolute path to the file, but when I send it I can manage to find where it goes in my device.

anderspitman 6y ago

Nice. I like that it goes over your local network and has a way to reverse transfer from the remote browser.

hawski 6y ago

That is nice and delightfully simple. When I saw the title I thought, that it will transfer a file entirely via continuous QR code scanning. But it would be probably too error prone and too slow, especially without a back channel to signify acks. Maybe such a thing could work between two phones facing each other screens using front cameras. I wonder how fast could it practically get.

val_deleplace 6y ago
See https://github.com/divan/txqr https://github.com/divan/txqr for this use case. Other probably exist. It can be useful sometimes to not bother with any network at all, e.g. an international museum machine streaming map and documentation for tourists.