Download a copy or link to originals

OverviewAttach@ referencesConnect sourcesDownload or linkManage sources

Choose this when you add files, after selecting the source and folder. The choice applies to the copy or link you create; signing in does not choose an editing mode for you.

CLIODecide where changes should goScreenshot walkthrough

Compare an editable download with a link that stages edits, then inspect the warning required before edits can change originals. Actual UI states with reading pauses. The warning is shown without enabling writes to originals.

Download a copy

A download is a separate copy in your workspace. It is available offline and does not send later edits back to the source.

Mode	What you can do
Editable copy	Work on the downloaded files in CLIO. Changes stay in this workspace.
Read only	Inspect and reference the downloaded files. Writes are rejected.

Choose Download all for the current folder, or download an individual file from the list. When the download completes, the attachment appears in your draft.

Link to the originals

A link keeps the connection to the source. CLIO reads the files as needed. Choose what should happen to edits:

Mode	Where edits go	Example
Read only	Writes are rejected at the file access boundary.	Refer to a shared dataset without changing it.
Edit locally, publish later	Edits stay in CLIO until you explicitly review and publish them.	Prepare repository changes, then publish selected edits together.
Update originals on save	Saved edits and deletions propagate to the source.	Work directly in your writable SSH folder.

Only supported modes are offered. A public read-only source cannot become writable because you selected it in CLIO. Source permissions and changes are checked again when publishing.

This mode can affect files shared with other people. The acknowledgement is required before creating the link. Enlarge screenshot ↗

Review before publishing

With Edit locally, publish later, review changed files and publish the edits you intend to send back. For a writable GitHub branch, selected edits can be published together as one commit. This is an explicit action; saving a local edit does not publish it.

With Update originals on save, there is no later publish step. Choose it only when you intend changes to reach the originals. Downloading never enables this behavior.

Refresh, reuse, or unlink

Return to the saved source to browse its files, refresh the linked listing, or reference a whole folder in another message. Unlink folder removes the workspace link. It does not delete the original folder. Read Manage sources before removing a setup you still need.