lain-upload

A simple CLI file uploader for multiple file-hosting services, with optional clipboard copy.

Installation

Via PyPI (Recommended)

You have the option to choose between the standard version (lain-upload) or the desktop version (lain-upload[clipboard]), which adds clipboard support for auto-copying links.

Note

For brevity, the examples below use the desktop version.

With pip (Basic)

pip install "lain-upload[clipboard]"

With pipx (Isolated)

pipx install "lain-upload[clipboard]"

With uv (Best)

The most efficient way to install or run the uploader.

# Permanent isolated installation
uv tool install "lain-upload[clipboard]"

# Run once without installing
uvx --with "lain-upload[clipboard]" lain-upload <file1> <file2> <file3>

# Run in scripts or ad-hoc environments
uv run --with "lain-upload[clipboard]" lain-upload <file1> <file2> <file3>

From Source (Development)

# Clone the repository and navigate to it
git clone git@github.com:NecRaul/lain-upload.git
cd lain-upload

# Install environment and all development dependencies (mandatory and optional)
uv sync --dev

# Install pre-commit hook
uv run pre-commit install

# Optional: Run all linters and type checkers manually
uv run pre-commit run --all-files

# Run the local version
uv run lain-upload <file1> <file2> <file3>

# Run tests
uv run pytest tests

Usage

Simply provide the path to the file or files you wish to upload.

# Upload a single file (default host: catbox)
lain-upload kuroneko.png

# Upload multiple files from different directories
lain-upload /path/to/kuroneko.png /path/to/another/directory/shironeko.png yamineko.png ../kamineko.png

# Select a specific host
lain-upload --host uguu kuroneko.png

# Use host authentication when supported
lain-upload --host pixeldrain --auth "$PIXELDRAIN_API_KEY" kuroneko.png

# Set temporary file expiration when supported (e.g. 1h, 12h, 24h, 72h, etc.)
lain-upload --host litterbox --expire-after 24h kuroneko.png

# Enable longer generated filenames when supported
lain-upload --host 0x0 --long-filenames -- kuroneko.png shironeko.png

# Display help and version
lain-upload -h
lain-upload -v

Supported Hosts

• catbox - Support for user authentication with userhashes.
• litterbox - Support for custom expiration time and longer upload filenames.
• pomf - No extra options (deprecated).
• uguu - No extra options.
• fileditch - No extra options.
• 0x0 - Support for custom expiration time and longer upload filenames.
• gofile - Support for user authentication with bearer API tokens.
• pixeldrain - Support for user authentication with API keys (Required).

Dependencies

• requests: send the API request for uploading.
• requests-toolbelt: enable memory-efficient streaming and progress tracking for large uploads.

Optional

• pyperclip: copy the uploaded files' URLs to the clipboard.

How it works

Supported services expose upload endpoints via multipart POST requests.

This tool automates uploads and adds safety checks and quality-of-life features.

The Manual Way

curl -F "file=@kuroneko.png" https://example-upload-service.tld/upload-endpoint

The lain-upload way

• Batch Processing: Upload multiple files in a single command execution, saving time over individual manual requests.
• Validation: Checks file constraints before uploading (service-specific rules are enforced per host).
• API Request: Sends multipart POST requests via requests and requests-toolbelt, with streaming support for large files.
• Normalization: Parses server responses into clean, shareable URLs.
• Clipboard (Optional): If pyperclip is installed, the result is instantly copied to your clipboard.

Special thanks

• To 7666 of https://lain.la/ for running the pomf service that inspired this project.
• To r/a/dio anons for feedback and suggestions.