Building WalkFiles: High-Speed Direct Browser Uploads with Next.js & Cloud Storage

Hey DEV community! 👋

I recently launched WalkFiles – a high-speed, privacy-focused file sharing and cloud storage platform designed to be a clean alternative to Gofile and Pixeldrain.

Why I Built It

Most file-sharing services throttle download speeds, impose mandatory wait timers, or force users through aggressive ad redirects. I wanted to build a clean platform where users can share files at full network speeds with native browser media previews.

Technical Architecture & Core Features:

• Direct-to-Cloud Uploads: Files stream directly from the browser to cloud object storage using presigned HTTPS URLs. This bypasses backend proxy server bottlenecks and significantly increases upload speeds.
• Zero Download Throttling: Downloads route through a global CDN network for maximum bandwidth delivery.
• Native Media Previewing: Video and audio files stream directly in the browser player without requiring a full download first.
• Anonymous Upload Option: Users can share files instantly without forced account registration.

Stack:

• Frontend / Framework: Next.js (App Router, Server Actions)
• Database & Auth: Supabase
• Storage: High-speed encrypted object storage

Check it out at walkfiles.com!

I’d love to get your technical feedback, thoughts on the architecture, or feature suggestions from the community.