What is Demo Mode?
When Demo Mode is enabled:- ✅ All file processing works normally (WebP conversion, ZIP creation)
- ✅ Files are saved to
~/Downloads/ZipDrop - ✅ No cloud upload happens
- ✅ No R2 credentials required
- ✅ Works completely offline
Demo Mode is enabled by default when you first launch ZipDrop.
Default Configuration
Demo Mode is the default setting:config.rs:45-52
Output Directory
Processed files are saved to:config.rs:247-257
Enabling Demo Mode
Via Settings Panel
- Click the settings icon (⚙️)
- Toggle Demo Mode to ON
- The app will immediately start saving files locally
Via Code
App.tsx:336-340
How It Works
When processing files in Demo Mode:- File Processing: Same as normal (WebP conversion, ZIP creation)
- Local Save: File is saved to
~/Downloads/ZipDrop - Path Return: Local file path is returned instead of R2 URL
- Clipboard: Full local path is copied to clipboard
- Recent List: Shows “Local” badge
Demo Result Structure
App.tsx:51-59
UI Indicators
Demo Mode is clearly indicated in the UI:Header Badge
Drop Zone Hint
Recent List Badge
App.tsx:372-420
File Management
Opening Files
Click the folder icon to reveal the file in Finder:App.tsx:313-319
Copying Paths
Click any upload to copy the full file path:App.tsx:305-311
Deleting Files
Click the trash icon to remove from Recent list. In Demo Mode:- File is not deleted from disk
- Only removed from the UI
- Actual file remains in
~/Downloads/ZipDrop
Storage Limits
Demo Mode has the same processing limits:| Limit | Value |
|---|---|
| Max Files | 50 |
| Max Single File | 500 MB |
| Max Total Size | 1 GB |
processor.rs:9-11
Transitioning to Production
When you’re ready to use R2:- Configure R2 credentials in Settings
- Test credentials with the “Test Credentials” button
- Disable Demo Mode toggle
- Save settings
Use Cases
Testing
Offline Work
Development
Recent List
Demo uploads appear in the Recent list:App.tsx:211-220
The Recent list stores up to 10 uploads in localStorage, regardless of mode.
Settings UI
When Demo Mode is enabled:App.tsx:544-614
This prevents accidental credential entry while testing locally.
Configuration Storage
Demo Mode state is persisted:~/.config/zipdrop/settings.json
From config.rs:220-228
FAQ
Can I use Demo Mode permanently?
Can I use Demo Mode permanently?
Yes! Demo Mode is a fully functional local file processor. You never need to configure R2 if you don’t want cloud uploads.
Where exactly are files saved?
Where exactly are files saved?
Files are saved to
~/Downloads/ZipDrop on macOS. The full path is typically /Users/yourname/Downloads/ZipDrop.Does Demo Mode process files the same way?
Does Demo Mode process files the same way?
Yes! Image conversion, ZIP creation, and all validation logic is identical. Only the upload step is skipped.
Can I change the output directory?
Can I change the output directory?
Currently no, but the source code can be modified. The directory is hardcoded to
~/Downloads/ZipDrop in config.rs:252.Will my R2 credentials be used in Demo Mode?
Will my R2 credentials be used in Demo Mode?
No. When Demo Mode is enabled, R2 upload code is completely skipped. Your credentials are never accessed.