How do I attach files to an asset?

Requires Basic

Quick answer

Notory stores attachments (invoices, delivery notes, photos, manuals) on any object via its type and ID. For assets, this currently works through the API (POST /api/v1/attachments with entity_type=asset); in the web interface, the file dialog is currently available on catalog records (the Data module → the paperclip icon “Files”). The maximum file size is 25 MB by default.

Prerequisites

Required role Any logged-in user

— any logged-in user of the tenant can upload, download, and delete attachments. Programmatically, the API token needs the write scope (reading/downloading: read).

Attachments are available on all plans (no feature gating).

Instructions

GUI (web interface)

As of today: The web interface’s upload dialog is wired up to catalog records (the Data module) — the asset detail view doesn’t have its own file area yet. For attachments directly on an asset, use the API tab. Here’s what the dialog looks like for records:

1. Open the “Data” module and select the object type. In the record’s row, click the paperclip icon (Files).

   Screenshot pending assets-anhaenge-01 'Files' dialog for a record with the 'Upload file' button and a file list

   The file dialog: upload, download, delete — with the file size for each entry.

2. Click “Upload file” and select the file. It immediately appears in the list — with its name and size.

3. Download or delete. Use the icons on the right to download a file or remove it (with a confirmation dialog).

API (curl)

Attachments are attached via entity_type + entity_id — for assets, that’s asset + the asset ID. The upload is a multipart form:

Attach a file to an asset

curl -X POST https://demo.notory.io/api/v1/attachments \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer inv_dein_token" \
  -F "file=@rechnung-thinkpad.pdf" \
  -F "entity_type=asset" \
  -F "entity_id=a2f1c9e4-7b3d-4a11-9c2e-8f6b1d0a7e55"

Response (201 Created)

{
  "id": "f7e2a1b8-3c4d-4e5f-9a0b-1c2d3e4f5a6b",
  "entity_type": "asset",
  "entity_id": "a2f1c9e4-7b3d-4a11-9c2e-8f6b1d0a7e55",
  "filename": "rechnung-thinkpad.pdf",
  "content_type": "application/pdf",
  "size_bytes": 184227,
  "created_at": "2026-07-08T10:15:03+00:00"
}

List an asset’s attachments:

List attachments

curl -H "Authorization: Bearer inv_dein_token" \
  "https://demo.notory.io/api/v1/attachments?entity_type=asset&entity_id=a2f1c9e4-7b3d-4a11-9c2e-8f6b1d0a7e55"

Download and delete:

Download attachment

curl -H "Authorization: Bearer inv_dein_token" \
  https://demo.notory.io/api/v1/attachments/f7e2a1b8-3c4d-4e5f-9a0b-1c2d3e4f5a6b/download \
  --output rechnung-thinkpad.pdf

Delete attachment (response: 204 No Content)

curl -X DELETE -H "Authorization: Bearer inv_dein_token" \
  https://demo.notory.io/api/v1/attachments/f7e2a1b8-3c4d-4e5f-9a0b-1c2d3e4f5a6b

Possible errors: 401 (missing or invalid token), 413 (file larger than the limit, 25 MB by default), 404 (attachment belongs to another tenant).

What happens behind the scenes?

• Tenant assignment: Every attachment belongs to your tenant; other tenants can neither list nor download it (404).
• Uploader is recorded: Notory stores which user uploaded the file, along with a timestamp (created_at).
• Size limit: 25 MB per file by default (instance setting MAX_ATTACHMENT_MB); larger uploads are rejected with 413.
• Any object type: The same API also serves catalog records (entity_type=record) — this is what the file dialog in the Data module uses.
• Storage: Files are kept in the installation’s storage backend (default: local filesystem; alternatively S3/MinIO, depending on server configuration).
• No gating: Attachments don’t count against the asset limit and are available regardless of plan.

Related topics

• Edit asset — manage notes directly on the asset
• Maintain records — the file dialog on catalog records
• API Getting Started — authentication, base URL, error codes