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Exporting Files

Share files from your encrypted vault with others.

Why Export?​

When encryption is enabled, your files are protected and not directly accessible. To share a file with someone who doesn't have your vault password, you need to export it.

How to Export​

Export Option

  1. Open the Files page
  2. Right-click on a file (or click the menu icon)
  3. Select Export (Unencrypted)
  4. The file is decrypted and saved to the exports folder

Export Location​

Exports Folder

Exported files are saved to:

core/user/exports/

This folder is not encrypted by design, making files accessible to anyone with physical access to the USB drive.

Managing Exports​

View Exported Files​

  1. Go to Settings
  2. Click Open Exports Folder
  3. View files in your system file manager

Or navigate directly to the exports folder on your Docket drive.

Delete Exported Files​

Exported files can be deleted:

  • From your system file manager
  • Through Docket's exports management

Security Notes​

Important

Exported files are stored in plaintext. They are NOT protected by your vault password.

What's at Risk​

  • Anyone with physical access to the USB can read exported files
  • Exported files remain even after you lock the vault
  • File contents and filenames are visible

Best Practices​

  1. Only export what you need — Don't export files unnecessarily
  2. Delete after sharing — Remove exports when no longer needed
  3. Be aware of USB location — Don't leave the drive unattended with exports
  4. Use secure sharing — Consider encrypting files separately for sensitive sharing

Why Not Decrypt Temporarily?​

You might wonder why Docket doesn't just decrypt files temporarily for viewing.

Even "temporary" plaintext on disk is risky because:

  • Crashes can leave plaintext behind
  • SSD wear-leveling can preserve deleted data
  • OS indexing (Spotlight, etc.) may cache content
  • Backup systems may capture the temporary file

Docket keeps decrypted data in RAM only, except for intentional exports.

The README File​

The exports folder contains a README.txt warning:

WARNING: Files in this folder are NOT encrypted.

This folder contains files you have explicitly exported from
your encrypted vault. Anyone with access to this USB drive
can read these files.

Delete files from this folder when you no longer need to
share them.

This serves as a reminder to anyone who browses the drive.