Sending files between computers remains a headache for many, although there are solutions that make it ridiculously easy. In short, Sendworm involves using Magic Wormhole for sending files securely Seamlessly transfer files between two computers: no port configuration, no accounts or forms, and everything is end-to-end protected with password-authenticated data transfer. Sendworm is available as a desktop app.
The beauty of it is that the tool is very agile and works via the command line, but don't be alarmed: its use is so minimalist that anyone can handle it With just a couple of commands, you can send a single document, a compressed folder, or whatever you need; the time it takes will depend on the file size and, of course, your upload speed.
What is Magic Wormhole and why does it fit with the idea of ​​Sendworm?
Magic Wormhole Sendworm is a free Python application that simplifies file sharing between two computers like few others, even when they are on different networks or behind their respective NATs. In practice, Sendworm uses the Magic Wormhole send command to share data in a way that... Quick, private, and in just a couple of steps.
This project was designed so that the user doesn't have to worry about anything technical: there's no need to open ports, manually exchange public keys, or set up your own servers. The tool itself negotiates the connection, encrypts the content, and establishes the tunnel that makes the transfer possible, all with a direct and frictionless experience.
Sendworm availability and supported systems
Sendworm is available for Linux and macOS computers, and its installation is very accessible thanks to packages like flatpack on Linux. This allows both home and professional users to adopt the tool without hesitation, enjoying the same ease of use in different environments.
How Magic Wormhole works, what the magic in Sendworm does
The workflow is as elegant as it is effective. When sending a file, the application generates a one-time pairing code that combines a number and two words. This code allows the recipient to validate the transaction from their device, and both ends recognize each other with a kind of ephemeral password. In other words, the two users agree on... a human-readable code valid only for that transfer.
Although one might think that everything happens strictly point-to-point, there is actually an intermediary server (a proxy or relay) involved in the orchestration. This server does not store the file; its role is to help the two endpoints find each other and establish a TCP tunnel between them. In this way, the file transmission takes place directly between the computers, benefiting from an efficient and temporary connection.
If you had seen a typical diagram of the process, you would have noticed that in one terminal window, the sender issues the sending command, obtains the ephemeral key, and shares it with the recipient via their preferred channel (message, chat, call, etc.). In the other window, the receiver executes the command with that code and, after confirming, It receives the file without further configuration..
Security: PAKE for encryption and authentication
The key question: Is it secure? The answer is yes. Magic Wormhole uses PAKE (Password-Authenticated Key Exchange) to establish a shared secret between sender and receiver based on the generated code. This means that data encryption relies on something both parties know (the temporary code), without exposing it to third parties. In practice, this achieves an encrypted exchange where the human password serves as the key to... authenticate and derive session keys without traveling in clear.
The most interesting implication is that, even though there is a support server to facilitate the connection, the content is protected end-to-end: the relay does not need to know the material being transmitted. Furthermore, since the code expires and is for single use only, the attack surface is drastically reduced in the face of impersonation attempts, MITM attacks or repetition.
For users hesitant to use storage services like Dropbox or Google Drive due to concerns about data handling, this philosophy is particularly appealing: the file is not persistent in the provider's cloud. Only what is shared during the session is shared, and when it ends, no intermediate copy of the content remains.
What role does the intermediary server play?
At some point in the process, the communication passes through a relay server. This point sometimes causes confusion, so it's worth clarifying: this server doesn't keep your files. Its role is to help the two endpoints find each other and establish a direct TCP tunnel between them. Thanks to PAKE, since the peering key is one-time-use, the server sees minimal metadata and doesn't access the content because everything is transmitted. end-to-end encryption.
This approach allows for robust connection establishment, even with NAT involved. It doesn't have to be a strictly direct connection in all cases (alternative routes are possible), but in practical terms, the transfer occurs between sender and receiver, without storage in the relay. The architecture prioritizes the privacy, simplicity and effectiveness.
Advantages over FTP, cloud or VPN
Compared to a traditional FTP server, Magic Wormhole eliminates infrastructure setup, port forwarding, and user management. And unlike cloud storage, you don't upload your file to a third party and wait for the recipient to download it: here, the transfer is direct and temporary, with strong encryption and full process control.
What if you already have a VPN? Of course, a VPN or tools like OpenSSH It can handle point-to-point transfers, but it involves configuration, permissions, and maintenance. Wormhole, on the other hand, offers a very short route: open a terminal, run `send`, share the code, and you're done. In many everyday scenarios, that balance between speed, privacy, and ease of use is crucial. hard to get over.
Usage tips and good practices
For large files, compressing them beforehand can speed up the process and reduce errors. Keep the terminal open on both computers until the progress bar finishes and you receive a confirmation message. If you need to share multiple files, group them into a single package to simplify the process. avoid multiple confirmations.
When you dictate or type the pairing code, take a second to check it: it's short, but a single different character will prevent the pairing. Remember that the code expires and is only valid once; if something goes wrong, you can resubmit and get a new code. This design is deliberate. to preserve the security of each session.
If you're working on networks with high latency, the progress bar may move erratically; this is normal. If your business environment has strict network policies, you might notice that traffic sometimes uses the relay more frequently; however, the data travels encrypted, and the intermediate server doesn't store the file, so the content remains secure. out of risk of exposure.
Installing Sendworm on Linux
Sendworm is best installed on Linux using its Flatpak package. If Flatpak support is enabled, it can be installed with the following command:
flatpak install flathub to.bnt.sendworm
It is also possible to install it from a compatible software store, such as Discover or GNOME Software. on GitHub There are also DEB and RPM packages for Debian-based and Red Hat-based distributions respectively.
When to choose Magic Wormhole over other alternatives
Use it when you need to send a file privately and quickly without setting up additional services, accounts, or shared folders. If you usually rely on USB drives, email attachments, or cloud links to share a single document, you'll be surprised at how much simpler Wormhole makes it. Simply connect the sender and receiver and share a code. Everything is resolved in seconds..
If your organization requires a historical repository of files or granular permissions, an enterprise storage system might be a better fit. But for occasional transfers, quick collaborations, remote support, or sharing with clients, Magic Wormhole offers a secure and direct path that fits perfectly as everyday work tool.
Using Sendworm (that is, the Magic Wormhole send command) means opting for a file-sharing method that combines terminal simplicity, one-time human-readable code, PAKE encryption, and the support of a data-free relay server. It installs in a snap (snap or pip), works on Linux and macOS, crosses NAT without requiring you to open ports, and allows you to send anything from a tiny document to a large compressed file—all with a clean experience. encrypted and leaving no trace on third parties.
