Skip to main content
Connect an SFTP server to import invoice files from a folder. This integration is called File bucket / SFTP in Watchdog.

​
Before you begin

Ask the SFTP server administrator for: If the private key is password-protected, you also need its passphrase.

​
Connect in Watchdog

  1. Open Integrations → File bucket / SFTP and add a connection.
  2. Enter the server address, credentials, folder, and fingerprint.
  3. Optionally use Prefix to limit the search to a subfolder, such as incoming/2026.
  4. Select Test Connection, check the files shown, and save the connection.
  5. Optionally set file filters under Settings before starting synchronization.
The test shows a sample of files and indicates whether the list is complete. A sample count is not necessarily the total number of files in the folder.

​
Choose which files to import

File filters use patterns, also called globs. They match the file path relative to Base path, even when you have set a Prefix. Separate multiple patterns with commas or new lines. A file is included if at least one pattern matches. Leave the field empty to include all files found under the selected folder and prefix.
Each file path is treated as a separate invoice. Use a folder where each invoice appears once. If you receive PDF and XML copies of the same invoice, choose which files to import. Files larger than 50 MB cannot be downloaded.

​
For the SFTP administrator

  • Give the user permission to list and read files, without permission to write, move, or delete them.
  • Supply the server key’s OpenSSH SHA256 fingerprint. Watchdog rejects the connection if the key does not match.
  • For key-based sign-in, paste the full private key, including the BEGIN and END lines.
  • Make files available only after the upload is complete, for example by renaming them after upload.
  • Update the file’s modification time (mtime) when replacing its contents. Watchdog detects changes using file size and modification time.
Watchdog does not delete an imported invoice when its file is later removed from the SFTP server.

​
If the test finds no files

Check the folder, prefix, file filters, and the user’s read access. For a server-key mismatch, ask the administrator to confirm the correct fingerprint before changing it in Watchdog.