File Centipede is a download manager, remote file browser and HTTP file server from filecxx. It runs on Windows and Linux. The Linux application is free; Windows uses a paid license with a trial. It handles direct transfers, BitTorrent and media streams, with companion extensions for Firefox, Chrome and Edge.
Addresses become transfer tasks
The Add Task window accepts file addresses, torrent links and compatible curl, wget, aria2 or axel commands. Users start a task immediately or leave it for later. Each task has a filename, destination folder and connection settings. File Centipede supports HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, FTPS, SSH and SFTP transfers.
The transfer list separates downloading, stopped, completed, failed, queued and seeding tasks. Rows show progress and transfer speeds. Users start or stop transfers and edit their settings. Connection details show individual progress, speed, latency and proxy use. Download and upload limits control bandwidth.
HTTP tasks can also use a one-line JSON object. Its fields carry the source address, filename, headers and connection limits into the task.
Catalogs and Site Rules
Catalogs group transfers and supply destination folders. Users name a catalog, choose its path and optionally match filename extensions or creation times. A task can also receive a catalog directly.
Site Rules apply settings to a particular protocol, host and port, optionally including subdomains. A rule can set connection limits, transfer speeds, request headers, cookies, User-Agent and proxy selection. This keeps a host’s transfer configuration separate from general defaults.
From browser resources to media files
The extension sends browser downloads to File Centipede or another compatible download manager. Users can switch back to the browser’s own downloader. Its popup separates videos, audio, magnet links and custom matches. Filters narrow the results; individual and batch controls send selections for download. The Collector presents media previews before downloading.
M3U8 and DASH streams require a desktop receiver to assemble the media. Without one, the extension retrieves only playlists or manifests. The Chrome extension does not download YouTube videos.
File Centipede’s stream confirmation lists video, audio and subtitle choices, including resolution and codec information. Users select files and a destination. Multiple selections can form a folder. With merging on, one video and one audio track become a single file.
Stream output defaults to TS. The TS Transcoding / Repair action converts it to MKV and repairs media timing. Live streams finish and merge when the broadcast ends, an unrecoverable error occurs or the user pauses the task. Users cannot cancel merge or remux operations midway, and these operations show no progress.
Torrent contents and seeding
File Centipede accepts torrent files, magnet links and hashes. The confirmation window lets users select files, choose the destination and enable sequential downloading. Transfer settings also control upload and download speeds.
Seeding limits can use a share ratio, duration or upload amount, with an action when the condition applies. The client includes tracker management and WebTorrent support. Its Create Torrent tool takes a file or folder and saves a torrent file. Separate tools convert between torrent files and magnet links.
Network folders in the file browser
The file browser opens WebDAV, FTP and SSH/SFTP hosts. Users enter an address or save a host profile with protocol, port, credentials and an optional starting path. The browser lists remote directories and provides upload and download controls.
File Centipede transfers individual files, directories or an entire remote site. It caches directory listings after visits, then reuses that information when users return.
Connections through proxies or mirrors
Users store proxy addresses, ports and credentials, then assign them to transfers or site rules. Choices include system proxy settings and fallback or round-robin modes. Batch tools test proxy entries.
HTTP Mirror Servers lets a single task download through several URLs in parallel. Users configure these source rules themselves.
Native remote control
The Remote menu adds another computer by IP address or domain name. Selecting that host opens native remote download management. The remote computer must enable Remote Access in Service settings and have a service password.
An HTTP folder server
A separate HTTP file server exposes files from a designated folder. Users enable the server in Settings and place files in that folder for HTTP access.
File and request inspection
The checksum tool takes a local file and calculates CRC32, MD5, SHA-1 and SHA-256 values. Users can copy or save results. The HTTP tool takes a URL and request method, sends the request and displays response headers and body content in separate tabs.
