# File Management

### 2.1 Adding Files to Chat

To add files to the chat context:

1. Click the folder icon in the top right to open the file panel.
2. Check the boxes next to the files you want to include.

<figure><img src="https://323147515-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FDxsCSiLtcLEhVsYJxaEU%2Fuploads%2FslxgECB0YfPHKQq77eu5%2Fadding%20the%20files.png?alt=media&#x26;token=ac53770d-3143-4292-873d-b3234987c0e1" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### 2.2 Read-Only Files

Files marked as read-only are displayed with a lock icon. These files can be viewed but not edited through papertlab.

<figure><img src="https://323147515-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FDxsCSiLtcLEhVsYJxaEU%2Fuploads%2FHxyNtPus8rkvWMYBb7w3%2Fread_only.png?alt=media&#x26;token=7ccaa881-1e2a-4904-b04e-679b038e8082" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### 2.3 .papertlabignore

papertlab respects the `.papertlabignore` file in your project root. Files and directories listed in this file will not be shown in the file panel.

Example `.papertlabignore`:

```
node_modules/
*.log
secrets.yml
```

<figure><img src="https://323147515-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FDxsCSiLtcLEhVsYJxaEU%2Fuploads%2FdG3SHbhrDcSsbqyKPQlA%2Fpapertignore.png?alt=media&#x26;token=4e6a38c6-d90e-481c-8efa-a5869d54c803" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>