# Manage storage sources

A **Storage Source** is where your files physically live. Curator reads them in place and
never moves or alters them unless you ask. You can connect more than one source and switch
between them, or view them all at once. For the bigger picture, see
[Storage sources](/concepts/storage-sources/).

## Add a source

You can add a folder on this Mac or a cloud bucket. Both live under **Storage** in
**Settings**.

1. Open **Settings**, then the **Storage** section.

2. For a local folder, click **Add Folder** and pick a folder in the macOS dialog.

3. For cloud storage, enter the connection details for your S3-compatible bucket:
   **Display name**, **Endpoint**, **Access Key**, **Secret Key**, the **bucket** name,
   and the **SSL** toggle. Curator tests the connection before saving it.

Cloud object storage works with any S3-compatible provider, including AWS S3, Cloudflare
R2, and MinIO.

## Switch between sources

Use the **Storage Source** selector above the sidebar to choose which source you are
looking at. Pick **All Sources** to see a unified view across every source at once. With
**All Sources** active, search and chat run across all of them.

## Sync to pick up changes

Sync (also called scan) re-indexes a source and detects new, renamed, modified, and
deleted files. Run it when files have changed outside of Curator and you want the library
to catch up.

## Remove a source

Remove a source from the **Storage** section in **Settings**.

> [!CAUTION]
> Removing a source deletes the index data Curator built for it, such as descriptions,
> tags, and embeddings. It does **not** delete your actual files. Your folder or bucket
> and everything in it stays untouched.

For the full list of storage settings, see [Settings](/reference/settings/).