Cloudflare R2

Documentation from convex/r2, recorded October 23, 2026. APIs and setup may differ in the Bijection adaptation.

Store and serve files with Cloudflare R2.

Copy code// or @convex-dev/r2/svelte for Svelte!
import { useUploadFile } from "@convex-dev/r2/react";

// Upload files from React
const uploadFile = useUploadFile(api.example);
// ...in a callback
const key = await uploadFile(file);

// Access files on the server
const url = await r2.getUrl(key);
const response = await fetch(url);

Check out the example app for a complete example.

Prerequisites

Cloudflare Account

• Create a Cloudflare account
• Create an R2 bucket
• Set the bucket name as an environment variable R2_BUCKET in your Convex deployment via npx convex env set R2_BUCKET <bucket-name>.
• Add a CORS policy to the bucket allowing GET and PUT requests from your Convex app. You can also use '*' to allow all origins (use with caution).

  Copy code[
    {
      "AllowedOrigins": ["http://localhost:5173"],
      "AllowedMethods": ["GET", "PUT"],
      "AllowedHeaders": ["Content-Type"]
    }
  ]
  

• Create an API token
  • On the main R2 page in your Cloudflare dashboard, click Manage R2 API Tokens
  • Click Create API Token
  • Edit the token name
  • Set permissions to Object Read & Write
  • Under Specify bucket, select the bucket you created above
  • Optionally change TTL
  • Click Create API Token
• On the next screen you'll be provided with four values that you'll need later:
  • Token Value: R2_TOKEN
  • Access Key ID: R2_ACCESS_KEY_ID
  • Secret Access Key: R2_SECRET_ACCESS_KEY
  • Endpoint: R2_ENDPOINT

Convex App

You'll need a Convex App to use the component. Follow any of the Convex quickstarts to set one up.

Installation

Install the component package:

Copy codenpm install @convex-dev/r2

Create a convex.config.ts file in your app's convex/ folder and install the component by calling use:

Copy code// convex/convex.config.ts
import { defineApp } from "convex/server";
import r2 from "@convex-dev/r2/convex.config.js";

const app = defineApp();
app.use(r2);

export default app;

Set your API credentials using the values you recorded earlier:

Copy codenpx convex env set R2_TOKEN xxxxx
npx convex env set R2_ACCESS_KEY_ID xxxxx
npx convex env set R2_SECRET_ACCESS_KEY xxxxx
npx convex env set R2_ENDPOINT xxxxx
npx convex env set R2_BUCKET xxxxx

Note: Environment variables are only needed if you don't pass config directly to the R2 constructor. You can also pass individual values to override specific environment variables.

Using multiple buckets

To use multiple R2 buckets, create separate R2 instances with different config:

Copy codeimport { R2 } from "@convex-dev/r2";
import { components } from "./_generated/api";

// Primary bucket — reads from R2_* environment variables
const primary = new R2(components.r2);

// Archive bucket — configured explicitly
const archive = new R2(components.r2, {
  bucket: process.env.ARCHIVE_BUCKET!,
  endpoint: process.env.ARCHIVE_ENDPOINT!,
  accessKeyId: process.env.ARCHIVE_ACCESS_KEY_ID!,
  secretAccessKey: process.env.ARCHIVE_SECRET_ACCESS_KEY!,
});

Each instance maintains its own config and S3 client. Metadata from all buckets coexists in the same Convex table, indexed by bucket name.

Uploading files

File uploads to R2 typically use signed urls. The R2 component provides hooks for React and Svelte that handle the entire upload process:

• generates the signed url
• uploads the file to R2
• stores the file's metadata in your Convex database

Important: For proper TypeScript typing in your callbacks, pass your DataModel type as a generic parameter to r2.clientApi<DataModel>(). This ensures that ctx parameters are properly typed with your database schema, and queries return Doc<"tableName"> instead of GenericDocument.

1. Instantiate a R2 component client in a file in your app's convex/ folder:

   Copy code// convex/example.ts
   import { R2 } from "@convex-dev/r2";
   import { components } from "./_generated/api";
   import type { DataModel } from "./_generated/dataModel";
   
   export const r2 = new R2(components.r2);
   
   // Pass DataModel as a generic type parameter to get proper TypeScript typing
   // for all callback contexts. Without this, ctx will be typed as GenericDocument
   // instead of your specific table types.
   export const { generateUploadUrl, syncMetadata } = r2.clientApi<DataModel>({
     checkUpload: async (ctx, bucket) => {
       // const user = await userFromAuth(ctx);
       // ...validate that the user can upload to this bucket
     },
     onUpload: async (ctx, bucket, key) => {
       // ...do something with the key
       // This technically runs in the `syncMetadata` mutation, as the upload
       // is performed from the client side. Will run if using the `useUploadFile`
       // hook, or if `syncMetadata` function is called directly. Runs after the
       // `checkUpload` callback.
     },
   });
   

2. Use the useUploadFile hook in your component to upload files:

   React:

   Copy code// src/App.tsx
   import { FormEvent, useRef, useState } from "react";
   import { useAction } from "convex/react";
   import { api } from "../convex/_generated/api";
   import { useUploadFile } from "@convex-dev/r2/react";
   
   export default function App() {
     // Passing the entire api exported from `convex/example.ts` to the hook.
     // This must include `generateUploadUrl` and `syncMetadata` from the r2 client api.
     const uploadFile = useUploadFile(api.example);
     const imageInput = useRef<HTMLInputElement>(null);
     const [selectedImage, setSelectedImage] = useState<File | null>(null);
   
     async function handleUpload(event: FormEvent) {
       event.preventDefault();
   
       // The file is uploaded to R2, metadata is synced to the database, and the
       // key of the newly created object is returned.
       await uploadFile(selectedImage!);
       setSelectedImage(null);
       imageInput.current!.value = "";
     }
     return (
       <form onSubmit={handleUpload}>
         <input
           type="file"
           accept="image/*"
           ref={imageInput}
           onChange={(event) => setSelectedImage(event.target.files![0])}
           disabled={selectedImage !== null}
         />
         <input
           type="submit"
           value="Upload"
           disabled={selectedImage === null}
         />
       </form>
     );
   }
   

   Svelte:

   Copy code<script lang="ts">
      import { useUploadFile } from "@convex-dev/r2/svelte";
      import { api } from "../convex/_generated/api";
   
      const uploadFile = useUploadFile(api.example);
   
      let selectedImage = $state<File | null>(null);
   
      async function handleUpload(file: File) {
        await uploadFile(file);
        selectedImage = null;
      }
    </script>
   
    <form
      onsubmit={() => {
        if (selectedImage) handleUpload(selectedImage);
      }}
    >
      <input
        type="file"
        accept="image/*"
        onchange={(e) => {
          selectedImage = e.currentTarget.files?.[0] ?? null;
        }}
        disabled={selectedImage !== null}
      />
      <button type="submit" disabled={selectedImage === null}> Upload </button>
    </form>
   

Using a custom object key

The r2.generateUploadUrl function generates a uuid to use as the object key by default, but a custom key can be provided if desired. Note: the generateUploadUrl function returned by r2.clientApi does not accept a custom key, as that function is a mutation to be called from the client side and you don't want your client defining your object keys. Providing a custom key requires making your own mutation that calls the generateUploadUrl method of the r2 instance.

Copy code// convex/example.ts
import { R2 } from "@convex-dev/r2";
import { components } from "./_generated/api";

export const r2 = new R2(components.r2);

// A custom mutation that creates a key from the user id and a uuid. If the key
// already exists, the mutation will fail.
export const generateUploadUrlWithCustomKey = mutation({
  args: {},
  handler: async (ctx) => {
    // Replace this with whatever function you use to get the current user
    const currentUser = await getUser(ctx);
    if (!currentUser) {
      throw new Error("User not found");
    }
    const key = `${currentUser.id}.${crypto.randomUUID()}`;
    return r2.generateUploadUrl(key);
  },
});

Storing Files from Actions

Files can be stored in R2 directly from actions using the r2.store method. This is useful when you need to store files that are generated or downloaded on the server side.

Copy code// convex/example.ts
import { internalAction } from "./_generated/server";
import { R2 } from "@convex-dev/r2";

const r2 = new R2(components.r2);

export const store = internalAction({
  handler: async (ctx) => {
    // Download a random image from picsum.photos
    const url = "https://picsum.photos/200/300";
    const response = await fetch(url);
    const blob = await response.blob();

    // This function call is the only required part, it uploads the blob to R2,
    // syncs the metadata, and returns the key. The key is a uuid by default, but
    // an optional custom key can be provided in the options object. A MIME type
    // can also be provided, which will override the type inferred for blobs. A
    // Content-Disposition and Cache-Control header can also be provided if
    // necessary.
    const key = await r2.store(ctx, blob, {
      key: "my-custom-key",
      type: "image/jpeg",
      disposition: "attachment; filename=example.jpg",
      cacheControl: "max-age=3600",
    });

    // Example use case, associate the key with a record in your database
    await ctx.runMutation(internal.example.insertImage, { key });
  },
});

The store method:

• Takes a Blob, Buffer, or Uint8Array and stores it in R2
• Syncs metadata to your Convex database
• Returns the key that can be used to access the file later

Serving Files

Files stored in R2 can be served to your users by generating a URL pointing to a given file.

Generating file URLs in queries

The simplest way to serve files is to return URLs along with other data required by your app from queries and mutations.

A file URL can be generated from a object key by the r2.getUrl function of the R2 component client.

Copy code// convex/listMessages.ts
import { components } from "./_generated/api";
import { query } from "./_generated/server";
import { R2 } from "@convex-dev/r2";

const r2 = new R2(components.r2);

export const list = query({
  args: {},
  handler: async (ctx) => {
    // In this example, messages have an imageKey field with the object key
    const messages = await ctx.db.query("messages").collect();
    return Promise.all(
      messages.map(async (message) => ({
        ...message,
        imageUrl: await r2.getUrl(
          message.imageKey,
          // Options object is optional, can be omitted
          {
            // Custom expiration time in seconds, default is 900 (15 minutes)
            expiresIn: 60 * 60 * 24, // 1 day
          },
        ),
      })),
    );
  },
});

File URLs can be used in img elements to render images:

Copy code// src/App.tsx
function Image({ message }: { message: { url: string } }) {
  return <img src={message.url} height="300px" width="auto" />;
}

Serving Files from Cloudflare's CDN via Custom Domains

r2.getUrl() generates signed S3 URLs that expire (default 15 minutes) and route directly to R2's S3 API endpoint, bypassing Cloudflare's edge cache. For use cases where you need permanent, CDN-cached URLs (profile pictures, avatars, public assets), you can connect a custom domain to your R2 bucket and build the URL directly from the object key (eg., cdn.example.com, where example.com is a domain you own).

Set up an R2 custom domain

You'll first need to connect a custom domain to your R2 bucket - follow their docs to get started.

Cloudflare caches the most common file types automatically. They provide a complete list as well as info on how to enable caching for less common types in their docs.

Build a CDN URL from an object key

Copy code// convex/files.ts
import { R2 } from "@convex-dev/r2";
import { components } from "./_generated/api";
import { query } from "./_generated/server";

const r2 = new R2(components.r2);

// Build CDN URL from a stored object key.
function getCdnUrl(key: string): string {
  // Replace with your domain
  const base = "cdn.example.com"
  return `${base}/${key.split('/').map(encodeURIComponent).join('/')`
}

export const listMessages = query({
  args: {},
  handler: async (ctx) => {
    const messages = await ctx.db.query("messages").collect();
    return messages.map((message) => ({
      ...message,
      // Return cached, CDN served image
      imageUrl: getCdnUrl(message.imageKey),
    }));
  },
});

Note: Don't use the r2.dev public development URL in production - it's rate limited and uncached. Use a custom domain instead.

Deleting Files

Files stored in R2 can be deleted from actions or mutations via the r2.deleteObject function, which accepts an object key.

Copy code// convex/images.ts
import { v } from "convex/values";
import { mutation } from "./_generated/server";
import { R2 } from "@convex-dev/r2";

const r2 = new R2(components.r2);

export const deleteObject = mutation({
  args: {
    key: v.string(),
  },
  handler: async (ctx, args) => {
    return await r2.deleteObject(ctx, args.key);
  },
});

Accessing File Metadata

File metadata of an R2 file can be accessed from actions via r2.getMetadata:

Copy code// convex/images.ts
import { v } from "convex/values";
import { query } from "./_generated/server";
import { R2 } from "@convex-dev/r2";

const r2 = new R2(components.r2);

export const getMetadata = query({
  args: {
    key: v.string(),
  },
  handler: async (ctx, args) => {
    return await r2.getMetadata(args.key);
  },
});

This is an example of the returned document:

Copy code{
  "ContentType": "image/jpeg",
  "ContentLength": 125338,
  "LastModified": "2024-03-20T12:34:56Z"
}

The returned document has the following fields:

• ContentType: the ContentType of the file if it was provided on upload
• ContentLength: the size of the file in bytes
• LastModified: the last modified date of the file

Listing and paginating metadata

Metadata can be listed or paginated from actions via r2.listMetadata and r2.pageMetadata.

Copy code// convex/example.ts
import { query } from "./_generated/server";
import { R2 } from "@convex-dev/r2";

const r2 = new R2(components.r2);

export const list = query({
  args: {
    limit: v.optional(v.number()),
  },
  handler: async (ctx, args) => {
    return r2.listMetadata(ctx, args.limit);
  },
});

export const page = query({
  args: {
    paginationOpts: paginationOptsValidator,
  },
  handler: async (ctx, args) => {
    return r2.pageMetadata(ctx, args.paginationOpts);
  },
});

Accessing metadata after upload

The onSyncMetadata callback can be used to run a mutation after every metadata sync. The useUploadFile hook syncs metadata after every upload, so this function will run each time as well.

Because this runs after metadata sync, the r2.getMetadata can be used to access the metadata of the newly uploaded file.

Copy code// convex/example.ts
import { R2, type R2Callbacks } from "@convex-dev/r2";
import { components } from "./_generated/api";
import type { DataModel } from "./_generated/dataModel";

export const r2 = new R2(components.r2);

const callbacks: R2Callbacks = internal.example;

export const { generateUploadUrl, syncMetadata, onSyncMetadata } = r2.clientApi<DataModel>(
  {
    // Pass the functions from this file back into the component.
    // Technically only an object with `onSyncMetadata` is required, the recommended
    // pattern is just for convenience.
    callbacks,

    onSyncMetadata: async (ctx, args) => {
      // args: { bucket: string; key: string; isNew: boolean }
      // args.isNew is true if the key did not previously exist in your Convex R2
      // metadata table
      const metadata = await r2.getMetadata(ctx, args.key);
      // log metadata of synced object
      console.log("metadata", metadata);
    },
  },
);