ftp-uploader/README.md

# PDF FTP Uploader

This tool sends PDF files to a server automatically. Just put your PDFs in today's folder and double-click to upload. Done.

---

## How to use it every day

1. Inside the practice folder, create a folder named with **today's date** (example: `20260629`)
2. Drop your PDF files into that date folder
3. Double-click **upload.bat** inside the practice folder
4. A window will open showing the progress
5. When it says **Done**, close the window — your files have been sent and the date folder moved to `archive\` automatically

To upload **all practices at once**, double-click **run-all.bat** in the main folder instead.

---

## Folder layout

```
Main Folder\
  run-all.bat              ← uploads all practices at once
  run-all.ps1
  Acme Dental\
    upload.bat             ← uploads just this practice
    upload.ps1
    ftp-config.ini         ← this practice's server details (set up once)
    20260629\              ← today's date folder — put PDFs here
      report1.pdf
      report2.pdf
    archive\
      20260628\            ← yesterday's folder, already uploaded
  Bright Smiles\
    upload.bat
    upload.ps1
    ftp-config.ini
    20260629\
      ...
```

---

## First-time setup for a new practice

You only do this once per practice.

1. Create a new folder with the practice name (e.g. `Bright Smiles\`)
2. Copy these three files into it:
   - `upload.bat`
   - `upload.ps1`
   - `ftp-config.ini`
3. Open `ftp-config.ini` in Notepad and fill in the details:

```
host=        ← the FTP server address (given to you by the practice)
port=21      ← leave as 21 unless told otherwise
username=    ← your FTP username
password=    ← your FTP password
remote_path= ← the folder on their server (e.g. /incoming) — leave as / if unsure
tls=false    ← change to true if the practice uses secure FTP (FTPS)
```

4. Save the file and you're ready to go

---

## Something went wrong?

- **A file failed to upload** — the date folder stays in place. Fix the issue and double-click upload.bat again to retry.
- **The window closed too fast** — right-click `upload.bat`, choose *Run as administrator* and try again.
- **Not sure if it worked** — check the `archive` folder. The date folder only moves there after every file uploads successfully.