Terms of Service

Last updated: August 22, 2026

These terms apply when you use the hosted Fernfiles service. By creating an account or using the service you agree to them. If you self-host Fernfiles from the open-source code, these terms do not apply to your own installation — only to the service we operate.

Fernfiles is in early access. That matters for almost everything below: the service is young, changes often, and is offered so we can learn from the people using it.

You must be at least 13 years old to use the service. If we learn that a child under 13 has created an account, we will close it.

The service is provided as-is

The service is provided "as is" and "as available", without warranty of any kind — express or implied — including warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement. We do not promise the service will be uninterrupted, error-free, or secure.

Limitation of liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, we are not liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, or for any loss of data, profits, or goodwill, arising from your use of (or inability to use) the service. Our total liability for any claim relating to the service is limited to the amount you paid us for it in the twelve months before the claim — which, while the service is free, is zero.

We may change or discontinue the service

We may change, suspend, or discontinue any part of the service — features, storage limits, availability, or the service itself — at any time, with or without notice. We may also suspend or terminate accounts that violate these terms or put the service or other users at risk.

Your data during early access

Durability — never losing your data — is the product principle Fernfiles is built around, and we work to improve it with every release. But during early access we cannot guarantee it: protecting your data is best-effort, and you should assume data you store here could be lost. Keep your own copies of anything you cannot afford to lose. As the product matures, and based on feedback from early users, we intend to make stronger commitments here.

Your content is yours

You own the files and notes you store in Fernfiles. We claim no ownership of your content. You grant us only the limited rights needed to operate the service: to store your content, back it up, and transmit it to you and to the people you choose to share it with. You are responsible for the content you store and share — it must not be unlawful or infringe the rights of others.

Acceptable use

Use the service for what it is: a place for your files and notes. Do not:

• use the service to break the law, or store or share content that is unlawful or infringes someone else's rights;
• use sharing to harass, threaten, or deceive other people;
• interfere with the service or other people's use of it — for example by probing for vulnerabilities, attempting to access other users' accounts or data, or deliberately overloading it;
• resell the service or scrape it with automated tools without asking us first.

We may suspend or close accounts that violate these rules, as described above.

Pricing

The service is free during early access. We may introduce paid plans or different pricing levels in the future, and features available today may become part of a paid tier. We will not start charging you without telling you first and giving you a choice about whether to continue.

Changes to these terms

We may update these terms from time to time. The "Last updated" date above reflects the current version. Continuing to use the service after a change means you accept the updated terms.

Governing law and disputes

If you have a problem with the service, email us first — we will work with you in good faith to resolve it. These terms are governed by the laws of the State of Washington, USA, excluding its conflict-of-laws rules. Any dispute that cannot be resolved informally will be heard in the state or federal courts located in King County, Washington, and both sides consent to their jurisdiction.

Contact

Questions about these terms? Email support@fernfiles.com. See also our Privacy Policy.