Skip to main content

​
Dropbox Server

​
Overview

The Dropbox server provides essential file management capabilities for your Dropbox account. Built by Dropbox, this server enables AI assistants to search files, upload content, and access your cloud storage directly.

​
Getting Started

1

Connect to Dropbox

Add the Dropbox server to your Nexus environment through the server directory.
2

Authenticate with Dropbox

Connect your Dropbox account using OAuth to access your files and folders.
3

Test Connection

Start with a simple search command to verify access and explore your files.

​
What You Can Do

File Search

Search for files across your entire Dropbox or within specific folders

File Upload

Upload new files directly to your Dropbox with base64 encoded content

Folder Navigation

Search within specific folder paths for targeted file discovery

Content Management

Organize and access your cloud storage through AI assistant interactions

​
Use Cases

  • File Discovery: Find documents, spreadsheets, and presentations across your Dropbox
  • Content Search: Search file names and metadata to locate specific resources
  • Organization: Navigate folder structures and understand file organization
  • Quick Access: Retrieve files without manually browsing through folders
  • Document Upload: Create and upload new files directly from AI conversations
  • Content Backup: Store generated content, reports, and data files
  • Collaborative Storage: Upload files for team access and sharing
  • Automated Archiving: Store conversation outputs and generated materials
  • Data File Access: Find and analyze CSV files, databases, and datasets
  • Report Storage: Access existing reports and analysis documents
  • Reference Material: Locate research papers, documentation, and resources
  • Version Control: Find different versions of documents and compare changes
  • Asset Discovery: Find project files, images, and resources
  • Documentation Access: Locate project documentation and specifications
  • File Sharing Preparation: Search for files that need to be shared or distributed
  • Archive Management: Access historical project files and documentation

​
Available Tools (3)

Comprehensive search capabilities for finding files across your Dropbox storage.Global and Targeted Search
Search for files within a specific Dropbox folder
  • Parameters: query (required), path (optional), max_results (optional)
  • Scope: Limited to specified folder path for targeted results
  • Performance: Faster searches when you know the general location
Search Tips: Use specific keywords, file extensions (.pdf, .docx), or partial file names for better results.
Upload and store new files directly in your Dropbox storage.
Upload new files to your Dropbox with base64 encoded content
  • Parameters:
    • path (required): Target location in Dropbox (e.g., “/documents/report.pdf”)
    • content (required): Base64 encoded file content
  • Supported Formats: Any file type that can be base64 encoded
  • Use Cases: Save generated documents, upload analysis results, store conversation outputs
File content must be base64 encoded. Large files may have upload limits based on your Dropbox account tier.

​
Configuration Requirements

​
Authentication Setup

The Dropbox server uses OAuth2 authentication with specific file access scopes:
Required Permissions:
  • files.metadata.read: Read file and folder metadata (for search operations)
  • files.content.read: Read file content (for comprehensive access)
  • files.content.write: Write and upload files (for upload operations)
Tool-Specific Scopes:
  • search and search_file_db: files.metadata.read
  • upload_file: files.content.read + files.content.write
  • Dropbox Account: Personal or business Dropbox account
  • Storage Space: Sufficient storage for upload operations
  • API Access: Dropbox API access enabled (typically available for all accounts)

​
Server Configuration

  • Transport: STDIO-hosted (requires Hub Bridge)
  • Hub Bridge: Uses npx -y @civic/hub-bridge for OAuth authentication
  • File Encoding: Base64 encoding required for file uploads
  • Path Format: Unix-style paths (e.g., “/folder/subfolder/file.ext”)
The Dropbox server requires Hub Bridge for secure OAuth token management and API interactions.

​
Best Practices

​
File Search Strategies

  1. Start Broad: Use general terms first, then narrow down with specific keywords
  2. Use Extensions: Include file extensions (.pdf, .xlsx, .png) to filter by type
  3. Folder-Specific: Use search_file_db when you know the approximate location
  4. Pagination: Use max_results parameter to control search result volume

​
File Upload Guidelines

  1. Path Planning: Use clear, descriptive folder structures (e.g., “/projects/2024/reports/”)
  2. File Naming: Use descriptive names with dates or version numbers
  3. Encoding Verification: Ensure proper base64 encoding before upload
  4. Size Considerations: Be aware of file size limits and account storage capacity

​
Organization & Management

  1. Consistent Naming: Use consistent file naming conventions for better searchability
  2. Folder Structure: Maintain organized folder hierarchies for efficient searching
  3. Regular Cleanup: Periodically search for and organize files to maintain structure
  4. Backup Strategy: Use uploads to create backups of important generated content

​
Integration Workflows

  1. Document Generation: Generate content and immediately upload to Dropbox for storage
  2. Research Workflows: Search for existing files before creating new documents
  3. Collaboration: Upload files to shared folders for team access
  4. Archive Management: Use search to maintain and organize historical files
Always verify file paths and ensure you have appropriate permissions before uploading files. Incorrect paths may create unintended folder structures.
Pro Tip: Combine search operations with upload operations - search for existing files first to avoid duplicates, then upload new versions with updated names.