Use readAFP without uploading your files

Many organizations block uploading internal documents to outside websites — that's data-loss prevention (DLP), and it's the right call: your AFP files often hold customer data (statements, invoices, letters).

Good news — readafp.com already handles this. When you open your own file on the site, it's parsed right in your browser (via WebAssembly); the file is never uploaded and never leaves your computer. So in most cases you can just use the site normally, even where uploads are blocked — there's nothing to send, so there's nothing for DLP to stop.

The only catch: the in-browser engine loads its code from a public CDN the first time. If your network blocks that too, use one of the fully self-contained options below — all of them keep your files local, and most companies allow GitHub so you can get the code even when other things are blocked.

1. Run it from the source

readAFP is open source (MIT). Clone or download it from GitHub and run it locally — it serves only to 127.0.0.1 on your machine, so files never leave your PC. You'll need Python 3.

git clone https://github.com/bone1966/readAFP
cd readAFP
pip install -r requirements.txt
python run.py

Then open http://127.0.0.1:8770 in your browser. (No git? Use GitHub's Code → Download ZIP button and unzip it instead.)

2. Self-host with Docker

If your team has Docker, run readAFP as a container — on your own machine or an internal server everyone can reach at a private URL. Files stay inside your network.

docker build -t readafp .
docker run -p 8770:8770 readafp

Then open http://localhost:8770 (or share the host's internal address with your team).

3. Standalone Windows app (.exe)

No Python, no setup — download readAFP.exe from GitHub Releases, double-click it, and readAFP opens in your browser. Your files stay on your PC.

Because the app is free and unsigned, Windows SmartScreen may warn "Windows protected your PC" the first time — click More info → Run anyway. (Some locked-down corporate PCs block unsigned apps entirely; if so, use the source or Docker option above.)

Need help getting set up? The project is on GitHub — open an issue.