The Ethereum File System

Organizing information on the World Computer

The "World Computer" isn't just a meme. It is the most powerful machine we are building together: a shared, immutable substrate. But every computer needs an operating system, and every operating system needs a file system.

Enter the Ethereum File System (EFS).

An open source public good for organizing and using onchain data. It fills the missing primitive: a shared namespace the whole world can extend.

> CORE_CONCEPTS

01. TOPICS (ANCHORS)

Think of a Topic as a shared folder in the cloud. It is a Schelling Point namespace for a specific idea. Navigate to /memes/ to see the internet's collection of image macros. A common place where users can attach relevant data about things, events, file hashes, and more.

02. EDITIONS (WEB OF TRUST)

On the legacy web, you see what the server admin wants you to see. In EFS, you see data from those you trust. An Edition is a view of a Topic from the perspective of a specific address.

  • /pets/bestpet.jpg@vitalik.eth -> Adorable Cat
  • /pets/bestpet.jpg@jamescarnley.eth -> Loyal Dog

Instead of one canonical feed, every Topic has infinite user-curated Editions.

> PHILOSOPHY: RECLAIMING THE COMMONS

We believe in the cypherpunk dream: a world where users are sovereign, data is uncensorable, and the commons belongs to everyone. EFS creates a namespace that everyone shares but nobody owns.

EFS is an attempt to extend the best parts of the web directly into the blockchain, aligned with the values of the Trustless Manifesto.

> USE_CASES

  • Credibly Neutral App Store: No gatekeepers. Your list shows apps attested by your web of trust.
  • Web3 MySpace: A dedicated space for expression. Configure your own background, music, and vibes for others to see.
  • Universal Media Library: Crowd-sourced lists of text, images, and videos.
  • Decentralized Internet Archive: Preserving the commons forever.

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