Dropbox

File Sharing and Storage

Dropbox API (v2) provides access to files, folders, sharing, and team features stored in Dropbox. You can upload, download, search, create shared links, manage permissions, and sync file metadata. The API uses OAuth 2.0 and supports both user-level and team-level access. For OpenClaw agents, Dropbox is useful when it's your primary cloud storage. Your agent can fetch specific files for analysis, upload generated documents, create shared links for quick sharing via chat, and monitor folders for new files. The API is well-documented and straightforward to integrate.

Tags: files, storage

Category: Cloud Storage & File Sharing

Use Cases

  • Upload generated reports or documents to Dropbox and share links via chat
  • Search Dropbox for files by name and return shared links on demand
  • Monitor a Dropbox folder for new files and notify via Telegram

Tips

  • Use the search_v2 endpoint for fast file finding across your entire Dropbox
  • Create shared links programmatically for quick file sharing via chat
  • For large uploads, use the upload_session endpoints for chunked/resumable uploads

Known Issues & Gotchas

  • All API requests use POST with JSON bodies — even file listing (not GET)
  • File content upload/download uses a separate endpoint (content.dropboxapi.com)
  • Cursor-based pagination is required for large folders — results are paginated

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Dropbox API with a free account?

Yes. The free Basic plan includes API access, but you're limited to 2GB storage. For automation, this is usually sufficient if you're just reading/searching files.

How is Dropbox API different from Google Drive API?

Dropbox API is simpler with a flatter endpoint structure. Google Drive has more complex permissions and a document format ecosystem (Docs, Sheets). Pick whichever platform you actually use.

Does Dropbox support webhooks for file changes?

Yes. Dropbox has a webhooks API that notifies your server when files change in a user's Dropbox. This is useful for real-time file monitoring without polling.