---
title: "Files"
description: "The files in your projects enable you to implement trading algorithms, perform research, and store important information. You can use the C# or Python language."
canonical: https://www.quantconnect.com/docs/v2/cloud-platform/projects/files
markdown: https://www.quantconnect.com/docs/v2/cloud-platform/projects/files.md
language: python
source: https://github.com/QuantConnect/Documentation/tree/master/01%20Cloud%20Platform/06%20Projects/03%20Files
modified: 2026-10-24
index: https://www.quantconnect.com/llms.txt
---

# Files

[Documentation](https://www.quantconnect.com/docs/v2.md) > [Cloud Platform](https://www.quantconnect.com/docs/v2/cloud-platform.md) > [Projects](https://www.quantconnect.com/docs/v2/cloud-platform/projects.md) > Files

> Code examples are shown in Python. Append `?lang=csharp` to this URL for the C# version of this page.

[Video](https://player.vimeo.com/video/696287356)

## Introduction

The files in your projects enable you to implement trading algorithms, perform research, and store important information. Python projects start with a `main.py` and a `research.ipynb` file. C# projects start with a `Main.cs` and a `Research.ipynb` file. Use the `main.py` or `Main.cs` file to implement trading algorithms and use the `ipynb` file to access the Research Environment.

## Supported File Types

The IDE supports the following file types:

- `.cs`
- `.ipynb`
- `.py`
- `.html`
- `.css`

## Add Files

Follow these steps to add a file to a project:

1. [Open the project](https://www.quantconnect.com/docs/v2/cloud-platform/projects/getting-started.md#02-View-All-Projects).
2. In the right navigation menu, click the ![](https://cdn.quantconnect.com/i/tu/local-lab-explorer-icon.jpg) **Explorer** icon.
3. In the Explorer panel, expand the **Workspace (Workspace)** section.
4. Click the ![New file button](https://cdn.quantconnect.com/i/tu/new-file-icon.png) **New File** icon.
5. Enter a file name and extension.
6. Press **Enter**.

![Adding a new file](https://cdn.quantconnect.com/i/tu/add-file-gif.gif)

## Add Directories

Follow these steps to add a directory to a project:

1. [Open the project](https://www.quantconnect.com/docs/v2/cloud-platform/projects/getting-started.md#02-View-All-Projects).
2. In the right navigation menu, click the ![](https://cdn.quantconnect.com/i/tu/local-lab-explorer-icon.jpg) **Explorer** icon.
3. In the Explorer panel, expand the **Workspace (Workspace)** section.
4. Click the ![New directory button](https://cdn.quantconnect.com/i/tu/new-directory-icon.png) **New Directory** icon.
5. Enter a directory name and then press **Enter**.

![Adding a new directory](https://cdn.quantconnect.com/i/tu/add-folder-gif.gif)

The following directory names are reserved: `.ipynb_checkpoints`, `.idea`, `.vscode`, `__pycache__`, `bin`, `obj`, `backtests`, `live`, `optimizations`, `storage`, and `report`.

## Open Files

Follow these steps to open a file in a project:

1. [Open the project](https://www.quantconnect.com/docs/v2/cloud-platform/projects/getting-started.md#02-View-All-Projects).
2. In the right navigation menu, click the ![](https://cdn.quantconnect.com/i/tu/local-lab-explorer-icon.jpg) **Explorer** icon.
3. In the Explorer panel, click the file you want to open.

## Close Files

To close a file, at the top of the IDE, click the **x** button on the file tab you want to close.

To close all of the files in a project, at the top of the IDE, right-click one of the file tabs and then click **Close All**.

## Rename Files and Directories

Follow these steps to rename a file or directory in a project:

1. [Open the project](https://www.quantconnect.com/docs/v2/cloud-platform/projects/getting-started.md#02-View-All-Projects).
2. In the right navigation menu, click the ![](https://cdn.quantconnect.com/i/tu/local-lab-explorer-icon.jpg) **Explorer** icon.
3. In the Explorer panel, right-click the file or directory you want to rename and then click **Rename**.
4. Enter the new name and then press **Enter**.

![Renaming a file](https://cdn.quantconnect.com/i/tu/rename-file-gif.gif)

The following directory names are reserved: `.ipynb_checkpoints`, `.idea`, `.vscode`, `__pycache__`, `bin`, `obj`, `backtests`, `live`, `optimizations`, `storage`, and `report`.

## Delete Files and Directories

Follow these steps to delete a file or directory in a project:

1. [Open the project](https://www.quantconnect.com/docs/v2/cloud-platform/projects/getting-started.md#02-View-All-Projects).
2. In the right navigation menu, click the ![](https://cdn.quantconnect.com/i/tu/local-lab-explorer-icon.jpg) **Explorer** icon.
3. In the Explorer panel, right-click the file or directory you want to delete and then click **Delete Permanently**.
4. Click **Delete**.

## Quotas

The maximum number of files and the maximum file size you can have in a project depend on your organization's tier. The following table shows the quotas of each tier:

| Tier | Max Files per Project | Max File Size (KB) |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Free | 25 | 32 |
| Quant Researcher | 50 | 64 |
| Team | 75 | 128 |
| Trading Firm | 100 | 256 |
| Institution | 250 | 256 |

Each library is a project, so it has its own file quota. If a project outgrows its quota, move part of the code into a [library](https://www.quantconnect.com/docs/v2/cloud-platform/projects/shared-libraries.md).

Libraries are shared, so when you edit one, every project that uses it picks up the change. Add code to a library when it's stable and several projects need it. Keep work in progress and code that only one project uses in the project itself.