--- title: "Files" description: "The files in your projects enable you to implement trading algorithms, perform research, and store important information." canonical: https://www.quantconnect.com/docs/v2/local-platform/projects/files markdown: https://www.quantconnect.com/docs/v2/local-platform/projects/files.md language: python source: https://github.com/QuantConnect/Documentation/tree/master/02%20Local%20Platform/08%20Projects/03%20Files modified: 2026-10-28 index: https://www.quantconnect.com/llms.txt --- # Files [Documentation](https://www.quantconnect.com/docs/v2.md) > [Local Platform](https://www.quantconnect.com/docs/v2/local-platform.md) > Projects > Files > Code examples are shown in Python. Append `?lang=csharp` to this URL for the C# version of this page. ## 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 Local Platform supports the following file types: - `.cs` - `.ipynb` - `.py` - `.html` - `.css` ### Code Files The `.py`/`.cs` files are code files. These are the files where you implement your trading algorithm. When you backtest the project or deploy the project to live trading, the LEAN engine executes the algorithm you define in these code files. ### Notebook Files The `.ipynb` files are notebook files. These are the files you open when you want to access the [Research Environment](https://www.quantconnect.com/docs/v2/research-environment.md) to perform quantitative research. ### Custom Report Files The `.html`/`.css` files are for creating custom [reports](https://www.quantconnect.com/docs/v2/local-platform/backtesting/results.md#09-Reports). ### Configuration Files Projects also contain configuration files, which are `.json` files, but they aren't displayed in the Explorer panel. These files contain information like the project description, parameters, and shared libraries. For more information about project configuration files, see [Configuration](https://www.quantconnect.com/docs/v2/lean-cli/projects/configuration.md). ### Result Files When you run a backtest, optimize some parameters, or deploy a strategy to live trading on your local machine, the results are saved as phyical files in the project directory. Local Platform doesn't push these result files to QuantConnect Cloud. ## View Files To view the files in a project, [open the project](https://www.quantconnect.com/docs/v2/local-platform/projects/getting-started.md#04-Open-Projects) and then, in the left navigation bar, click the ![](https://cdn.quantconnect.com/i/tu/local-lab-explorer-icon.jpg) **Explorer** icon. The **QC (Workspace)** section of the Explorer panel shows the files in the project. ![Python project files panel](https://cdn.quantconnect.com/i/tu/view-project-files-py.png) ## Add Files Follow these steps to add a file to a project: 1. [Open the project](https://www.quantconnect.com/docs/v2/local-platform/projects/getting-started.md#04-Open-Projects). 2. In the left navigation menu, click the ![](https://cdn.quantconnect.com/i/tu/local-lab-explorer-icon.jpg) **Explorer** icon. 3. In the Explorer panel, expand the **QC (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/local-platform-add-file-py.gif) ## Add Directories You can organize the code and notebook files in your project into directories to make navigating them easier. For example, if you have multiple [Alpha models](https://www.quantconnect.com/docs/v2/writing-algorithms/algorithm-framework/alpha/key-concepts.md) in your strategy, you can create an `alphas` directory in your project to hold a file for each Alpha model. Follow these steps to add a directory to a project: 1. [Open the project](https://www.quantconnect.com/docs/v2/local-platform/projects/getting-started.md#04-Open-Projects). 2. In the left navigation menu, click the ![](https://cdn.quantconnect.com/i/tu/local-lab-explorer-icon.jpg) **Explorer** icon. 3. In the Explorer panel, expand the **QC (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/local-platform-add-directory-py.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/local-platform/projects/getting-started.md#04-Open-Projects). 2. In the left 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 VS Code, 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 VS Code, 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/local-platform/projects/getting-started.md#04-Open-Projects). 2. In the left 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/local-platform-rename-file-py.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/local-platform/projects/getting-started.md#04-Open-Projects). 2. In the left 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**.