PearDrive CLI

A command-line interface for managing PearDrive networks - decentralized file sharing and storage.

Contents

• Installation
• Usage
• Development
• Troubleshooting
• Changelog

Installation

Method 1: Install via npm (Recommended)

Step 1: (Optional) Install Pear Runtime

npm install -g pear

Step 2: Install PearDrive CLI

npm install -g @peardrive/cli

Step 3: Run the application

Runs from directory once you've installed globally!

peardrivecli

Method 2: Clone and run locally

Step 1: Install Pear Runtime (if not already installed)

npm install -g pear

Step 2: Clone the repository

git clone https://github.com/peardrive/PearDriveCLI.git
cd PearDriveCLI

Step 3: Install dependencies

npm install

Step 4: Run the application

npm run start

Usage

Getting Started

Once the application starts, you'll see an interactive menu with the following options:

• Create a new PearDrive network - Start your own decentralized file sharing network
• Join an existing network - Connect to a network using a network key
• List your networks - View all your PearDrive networks
• Delete a network - Remove a network from your local storage (not yet implemented as of 2.0.3)

Main Features

File Management

• Upload files to your PearDrive network
• Download files from network peers
• List local and network files
• Share files with other network participants

Network Management

• Generate QR codes for easy network sharing
• Set custom network nicknames
• Toggle archive mode
• View connected peers and their public keys

Example Workflow

1. Start the CLI with npm run start or pear run .
2. Create a new network or join an existing one
3. Upload files you want to share
4. Share your network key with others (via QR code or text)
5. Download files shared by other network participants

Archive Mode (Automatically save all new files on network)

Archive mode transforms your device into a complete archive node for the PearDrive network. When enabled:

• Your device automatically downloads and stores every file shared on the network
• Acts as a persistent backup ensuring data availability even when original uploaders go offline
• Helps strengthen network resilience by maintaining complete copies of all shared content
• Requires sufficient storage space as it will download all network content

Development

Running in Development Mode

pear run -d .

Running Tests

npm test

Troubleshooting

Common Issues and Solutions

"pear: command not found"

• Solution: Install Pear runtime globally with npm install -g pear
• Verify installation with pear --version

"Cannot find module '@peardrive/cli'"

• Solution: Install the CLI globally with npm install -g @peardrive/cli
• Or clone the repository and run npm install in the project directory

Permission errors during global installation

• Solution: Use sudo npm install -g pear on macOS/Linux
• Or configure npm to use a different directory: npm config set prefix ~/.local

Application won't start after installation

• Check that both Pear runtime and PearDrive CLI are installed
• Try running pear run . directly in the cloned repository
• Check console for specific error messages

Network connection issues

• Ensure your firewall allows the application to access the network
• Check that you're using the correct network key when joining

Files not syncing between peers

• File syncing for file changes will not work as intended until PearDriveCore 3.0
• Verify all peers are connected to the same network
• Ensure sufficient peers are online and connected

Changelog