The product needs it now
- 01User-generated content (photos, documents)
- 02Profile pictures or avatars
- 03Document management features
- 04Media-heavy applications
High-value capability
File Uploads
Secure file upload handling for images, documents, and media with storage and delivery optimization.
2-5 daysTypical timeline
$500 - $2,000Typical range
4Approaches compared
SCOPE DECISION
Does this belong
in the first release?
A capability is only essential when the product promise depends on it. Use these signals to keep the decision tied to user value.
The release works without it
- 01Text-only applications
- 02No user-generated content
- 03External file links are sufficient
IMPLEMENTATION OPTIONS
Choose the approach
that fits the product.
The right technology depends on ownership, scale, integration depth, and how much operational responsibility the team wants to carry.
AWS S3Industry-standard object storage
Strengths
- Highly scalable
- Pay-per-use
- CloudFront CDN integration
- Mature ecosystem
- Complex IAM setup
- No built-in processing
- Requires signed URLs for security
CloudinaryMedia management platform
Strengths
- Image/video transformations
- Built-in CDN
- Easy API
- Free tier
- Costs at scale
- Less control
- Vendor lock-in
UploadthingModern file uploads for Next.js
Strengths
- Type-safe
- Simple API
- Built for Next.js
- Reasonable pricing
- Newer service
- Next.js focused
Supabase StorageS3-compatible storage with Supabase
Strengths
- Integrated with Supabase Auth
- Simple RLS policies
- CDN included
- Tied to Supabase
- Less image processing
DELIVERY SEQUENCE
A practical path
through the work.
- 01Define file types and size limits
- 02Set up storage bucket with proper permissions
- 03Implement secure upload endpoint
- 04Add client-side validation
- 05Handle upload progress and errors
- 06Implement image optimization/resizing
- 07Set up CDN for delivery
- 08Add file deletion and cleanup
WATCH FOR
Common implementation mistakes.
- 01Not validating file types server-side
- 02Missing size limits (denial of service)
- 03Storing files without proper access control
- 04Not optimizing images before storage
- 05Missing CORS configuration
- 06Not implementing upload resumption for large files
QUESTIONS
Before you commit the scope.
Direct upload vs. server-side upload?+
Direct uploads to cloud storage reduce server load and are faster. Use pre-signed URLs for security. Server-side only for processing requirements.
How should I handle image optimization?+
Convert to WebP, resize to needed dimensions, compress appropriately. Services like Cloudinary or Sharp (Node.js) handle this automatically.
What about very large file uploads?+
Use multipart uploads with resumability (tus protocol). Show progress, handle network interruptions, and implement retry logic.
RELATED DECISIONS
Continue mapping the release.
DISCUSS YOUR APP
Turn this decision
into working software.
Bring the product context and current scope. We will choose the approach after the release is clear.
Discuss your app