🚀 KnoxDrive – Upload Files to AWS S3 Using Flask

KnoxDrive is a beginner-friendly web app built with Python Flask that lets you upload files to your own AWS S3 bucket securely.
This project helps you learn how to use AWS IAM + S3 + Python + Boto3 to build real-world cloud-integrated apps.

🌩️ 1. AWS Setup Guide

Before running the project, configure AWS:

• Go to AWS Console → IAM → Users → Add user

  • Enter username (e.g., knoxdrive-user)
  • Enable ✅ Programmatic access
  • Click "Next" → Attach existing policies directly
  • Select ✅ AmazonS3FullAccess
  • Click "Next" → Create user
  • Save your Access Key ID and Secret Access Key

• Go to AWS Console → S3 → Create Bucket

  • Bucket name: knoxdrive-demo-bucket (must be globally unique)
  • Region: us-east-1
  • ✅ Block all public access: Enabled
  • ✅ Encryption: SSE-S3 (default)
  • ✅ Object Ownership: Bucket owner enforced (ACLs disabled)
  • Click "Create bucket"

📥 2. Clone This Repository

git clone https://github.com/your-username/knoxdrive.git
cd knoxdrive

📦 3. Download Requirements

pip install -r requirements.txt

🔐 4. Create Your .env File

Create a file named .env in the root folder and paste:

AWS_ACCESS_KEY_ID=your-access-key-id
AWS_SECRET_ACCESS_KEY=your-secret-access-key
AWS_REGION=us-east-1
S3_BUCKET=knoxdrive-demo-bucket

⚠️ Important: Never upload this file to GitHub — it’s already ignored in `.gitignore

▶️ 5. Run the Project

python app.py

Open your browser:
http://localhost:5000/
✅ Upload a file — it will go to your S3 bucket.

📁 Project Folder Structure

knoxdrive/
├── app.py
├── templates/
│   └── index.html
├── .env
├── .gitignore
├── requirements.txt
└── README.md

🔒 Security Tips

• Never upload .env to GitHub
• Use IAM user with only S3 access
• Rotate AWS keys regularly
• Keep S3 bucket public access blocke

💡 Future Improvements

• Host app on EC2
• Add upload progress bar
• File type/size validation
• Use pre-signed URLs
• Store file metadata in a database

👨‍💻 Author

Knox (Rupesh)
GitHub: https://github.com/Rupeshs11

📜 License

Licensed under the MIT License.