---
description: File system operations for reading, writing, and managing files
---

## File Cheatcodes

### Signature

```solidity
function readFile(string calldata path) external returns (string memory data);
function readFileBinary(string calldata path) external view returns (bytes memory data);
function readLine(string calldata path) external returns (string memory line);
function readDir(string calldata path) external view returns (DirEntry[] memory entries);
function readLink(string calldata linkPath) external view returns (string memory targetPath);
function writeFile(string calldata path, string calldata data) external;
function writeLine(string calldata path, string calldata data) external;
function closeFile(string calldata path) external;
function removeFile(string calldata path) external;
function exists(string calldata path) external returns (bool);
function isFile(string calldata path) external returns (bool);
function isDir(string calldata path) external returns (bool);
function currentFilePath() external view returns (string memory path);
```

### Description

Cheatcodes for filesystem manipulation operations. File-operation paths are relative to the project root. `currentFilePath` returns the source path of the test or script contract currently being executed, also relative to the project root.

:::warning[Permissions Required]
By default, filesystem access is disallowed. You must configure `fs_permissions` in `foundry.toml` to enable access.
:::

### Configuration

Configure filesystem permissions in your `foundry.toml`:

```toml [foundry.toml]
# Configures permissions for cheatcodes that touch the filesystem
# `access` options:
#   - `read-write` or `true` => read + write access
#   - `read` => only read access
#   - `write` => only write access  
#   - `none` or `false` => no access
fs_permissions = [{ access = "read-write", path = "./" }]
```

### Functions

#### Reading Files

| Function         | Description                                    |
|------------------|------------------------------------------------|
| `readFile`       | Reads entire file contents as string           |
| `readFileBinary` | Reads entire file contents as bytes            |
| `readLine`       | Reads next line from file                      |
| `readDir`        | Reads directory entries (up to `maxDepth`)     |
| `readLink`       | Reads symbolic link target path                |

#### Writing Files

| Function    | Description                                         |
|-------------|-----------------------------------------------------|
| `writeFile` | Writes data to file, creating or overwriting        |
| `writeLine` | Appends a line to file, creating if needed          |

#### File Management

| Function     | Description                                |
|--------------|--------------------------------------------|
| `closeFile`  | Closes file, resetting read offset         |
| `removeFile` | Deletes a file                             |
| `exists`     | Returns true if path exists                |
| `isFile`     | Returns true if path is a regular file     |
| `isDir`      | Returns true if path is a directory        |

#### Project Context

| Function | Description |
|----------|-------------|
| `currentFilePath` | Returns the current test or script contract's source path relative to the project root |

### Examples

#### Write and read a file

Requires read-write access:

:::code-group

```solidity [test/FileSystem.t.sol]
string memory path = "file.txt";
string memory data = "hello world";
vm.writeFile(path, data);

assertEq(vm.readFile(path), data);
```

```toml [foundry.toml]
fs_permissions = [{ access = "read-write", path = "./" }]
```

:::

#### Append lines to a file

```solidity [test/FileSystem.t.sol]
string memory path = "output.txt";

vm.writeLine(path, "first line");
vm.writeLine(path, "second line");
```

#### Remove a file

Requires write access:

:::code-group

```solidity [test/FileSystem.t.sol]
string memory path = "file.txt";
vm.removeFile(path);

assertFalse(vm.exists(path));
```

```toml [foundry.toml]
fs_permissions = [{ access = "write", path = "./" }]
```

:::

#### Check if paths exist

```solidity [test/FileSystem.t.sol]
// Check if a path exists
assertTrue(vm.exists("foo/files/bar.txt"));

// Check if path is a file
assertTrue(vm.isFile("foo/files/bar.txt"));

// Check if path is a directory
assertTrue(vm.isDir("foo/files"));
```

#### Get the current source path

```solidity [test/CurrentFilePath.t.sol]
// [!include ~/snippets/projects/cheatcodes/test/CurrentFilePath.t.sol:path]
```

`currentFilePath` does not access the filesystem, so it does not require an `fs_permissions` entry.

### Gotchas

:::warning[Path Permissions]
If you receive "The path is not allowed to be accessed for read operations", ensure the path is covered by your `fs_permissions` configuration.
:::

:::note[removeFile Restrictions]
`removeFile` will revert if:
- The path points to a directory
- The file doesn't exist
- The user lacks permissions to remove the file
:::

- `currentFilePath` identifies the test or script contract being executed. It does not change when the call originates from an imported library or inherited helper.
- Path separators follow the host platform. Normalize `\\` to `/` before exact string comparisons when tests must also run on Windows.

### Related Cheatcodes

- [`parseJson`](/reference/cheatcodes/parse-json) - Parse JSON files read from disk
- [`parseToml`](/reference/cheatcodes/parse-toml) - Parse TOML files read from disk
- [`writeJson`](/reference/cheatcodes/write-json) - Write JSON to files
- [`writeToml`](/reference/cheatcodes/write-toml) - Write TOML to files
