diff --git a/Cargo.lock b/Cargo.lock
index a34b300..eeb978b 100644
--- a/Cargo.lock
+++ b/Cargo.lock
@@ -137,6 +137,7 @@ name = "bsk"
 version = "0.1.11"
 dependencies = [
  "anyhow",
+ "base64",
  "bsk-protocol",
  "clap",
  "console",
diff --git a/Cargo.toml b/Cargo.toml
index d38556a..e123726 100644
--- a/Cargo.toml
+++ b/Cargo.toml
@@ -36,6 +36,7 @@ flate2 = "1.1.9"
 tar = "0.4.46"
 zip = { version = "7.2.0", default-features = false, features = ["deflate"] }
 sha2 = "0.11.0"
+base64 = "0.22"
 tempfile = "3"
 nix = { version = "0.29", features = ["signal", "process"] }
 rand = "0.8"
diff --git a/apps/extension/PRIVACY.md b/apps/extension/PRIVACY.md
index 9517a3c..bfe4675 100644
--- a/apps/extension/PRIVACY.md
+++ b/apps/extension/PRIVACY.md
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 # BrowserSkill — Privacy Policy
 
-**Last updated:** May 25, 2026
+**Last updated:** August 20, 2026
 
 This Privacy Policy describes how the **BrowserSkill** browser extension (the "Extension") handles information when you install and use it. BrowserSkill is published as part of the open-source [BrowserSkill](https://github.com/Tencent/BrowserSkill) project. The source code is publicly auditable.
 
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ BrowserSkill is a local automation bridge that lets AI coding agents (such as Cu
 
 ## 2. Single Purpose
 
-The Extension's single purpose is to expose browser automation primitives (navigation, DOM observation, screenshots, clicks, form filling, tab management) to a locally running BrowserSkill daemon over a WebSocket connection on `127.0.0.1`, so that an AI agent invoked by the user can interact with web pages on the user's behalf.
+The Extension's single purpose is to expose browser automation primitives (navigation, DOM observation, screenshots, clicks, form filling, task-scoped file transfer, and tab management) to a locally running BrowserSkill daemon over a WebSocket connection on `127.0.0.1`, so that an AI agent invoked by the user can interact with web pages on the user's behalf.
 
 ## 3. Data the Extension Accesses
 
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ Depending on the commands the user (via their AI agent) sends to the local daemo
 | **User input simulated by the agent** | Mouse clicks, keystrokes, and form values that the AI agent dispatches through the Chrome DevTools Protocol (CDP). | Required to perform automation actions the user has asked the agent to do. |
 | **Tab and window metadata** | Tab IDs, URLs, titles, window IDs of the Agent Window and any tabs the user explicitly authorizes. | Required to target automation commands at the correct tab/window. |
 | **Local extension storage** | A randomly generated 8-character instance ID and an optional user-supplied label. | Used so the local daemon can recognize this browser instance across reconnects. No personal data is stored. |
+| **File transfers requested by the agent** | Local files explicitly supplied to `bsk upload`, and the file created by a single `bsk download` action. | Required to attach a task file to a web page or return a browser-generated download to the invoking local agent. |
 | **OS notifications** | Permission to display a system notification when the agent requests to "borrow" one of the user's existing tabs. | Required to obtain explicit, per-tab user consent before the agent touches any pre-existing tab. |
 
 ## 4. Data the Extension Does **Not** Collect
@@ -34,7 +35,7 @@ BrowserSkill does **not**:
 
 - Send any data to remote servers, the Extension's authors, or any third party.
 - Call any LLM, AI, or cloud API. The Extension contains no API keys, model identifiers, or remote endpoints.
-- Read or transmit cookies, browsing history, bookmarks, downloads, saved passwords, or autofill data.
+- Read or transmit cookies, browsing history, bookmarks, saved passwords, or autofill data. It observes only the download initiated by an active `bsk download` call, not download history generally.
 - Use webcam, microphone, geolocation, or any device sensor.
 - Include analytics, telemetry, crash reporting, advertising SDKs, or fingerprinting code.
 - Track users across websites or across sessions.
@@ -50,6 +51,7 @@ The Extension requests the following Chrome permissions. Each is used solely for
 - **`alarms`** — Periodically wake the service worker to keep the local WebSocket connection alive.
 - **`idle`** — Detect when the device returns from idle/locked so the Extension can promptly re-establish the local WebSocket connection after the machine wakes. No idle data is stored or transmitted.
 - **`notifications`** — Show a system notification to obtain user approval before the agent borrows a user-owned tab.
+- **`downloads`** — Correlate and route the one browser download initiated by an active `bsk download` command. If that claimed transaction fails, BrowserSkill cancels an in-progress file or removes its completed temporary browser file. It is not used to enumerate download history or alter unclaimed downloads.
 - **`storage`** — Persist a random instance ID and optional label in `chrome.storage.local`.
 - **Host permission `<all_urls>`** — Inject a small status overlay (showing "Agent Active") on pages controlled by the agent, and enable automation across whatever sites the user directs the agent to. The Extension does **not** read or transmit page content from sites the agent is not actively driving.
 
@@ -61,6 +63,7 @@ All Extension activity stays on the user's local device. The only network traffi
 
 - The instance ID and optional label persist in `chrome.storage.local` until the user uninstalls the Extension or clears extension storage.
 - Page content, screenshots, DOM snapshots, and other observed data are returned to the local daemon in response to commands and are **not retained by the Extension**. They live only as long as the agent's tool call.
+- Upload and download bytes are staged by the local daemon in a private, session-scoped directory. Download staging is removed after it is copied to the requested destination. Upload staging is retained until the session ends so a later form submission can still read the attached file. Remaining staging is removed when the session ends or disconnects, or when the daemon next starts after a crash.
 
 ## 8. User Control
 
diff --git a/apps/extension/src/tools/__tests__/dispatcher.test.ts b/apps/extension/src/tools/__tests__/dispatcher.test.ts
index c05cdb2..ee566f5 100644
--- a/apps/extension/src/tools/__tests__/dispatcher.test.ts
+++ b/apps/extension/src/tools/__tests__/dispatcher.test.ts
@@ -232,6 +232,107 @@ describe("ToolDispatcher", () => {
     });
   });
 
+  it("bypasses and restores the control overlay for an upload trigger click", async () => {
+    const sendMessage = vi.fn(async () => undefined);
+    vi.stubGlobal("chrome", {
+      tabs: {
+        get: vi.fn(async () => ({ id: 7, windowId: 4242, active: true })),
+        query: vi.fn(async () => [{ id: 7, windowId: 4242, active: true }]),
+        sendMessage,
+      },
+    });
+    const { transport, sent, deliver } = fakeTransport();
+    const sessions = new SessionManager({
+      agentWindow: {
+        create: vi.fn(async () => 4242),
+        remove: vi.fn(async () => {}),
+        ensureActiveTab: vi.fn(async () => {}),
+      },
+    });
+    const ctx = await sessions.start("aa11");
+    ctx.refStore.set("e1", 123, { tabId: 7 });
+    const send = vi.fn(async <T>(_tabId: number, method: string, params?: object) => {
+      if (method === "Page.getLayoutMetrics") {
+        return { cssLayoutViewport: { clientWidth: 1280, clientHeight: 720 } } as T;
+      }
+      if (method === "DOM.getContentQuads") {
+        return { quads: [[0, 0, 20, 0, 20, 20, 0, 20]] } as T;
+      }
+      if (method === "DOM.resolveNode") {
+        return { object: { objectId: "trigger-object" } } as T;
+      }
+      if (method === "DOM.describeNode") return { node: { backendNodeId: 456 } } as T;
+      if (method === "Runtime.callFunctionOn") {
+        const declaration = (params as { functionDeclaration?: string }).functionDeclaration ?? "";
+        if (declaration.includes("count: state.inputs.length")) {
+          return { result: { value: { count: 1, multiple: false } } } as T;
+        }
+        if (declaration.includes("inputs[0]")) {
+          return { result: { objectId: "input-object" } } as T;
+        }
+        return { result: { value: true } } as T;
+      }
+      if (method === "Runtime.evaluate") {
+        const expression = (params as { expression?: string }).expression ?? "";
+        if (expression.includes("overlayDetails")) {
+          return { result: { value: { hitIndex: 0 } } } as T;
+        }
+        if (expression.includes("overlayHostPresent")) {
+          return {
+            result: {
+              value: { overlayHostPresent: true, overlayHostConnected: true },
+            },
+          } as T;
+        }
+        if (expression.includes("count:")) {
+          return { result: { value: { count: 1, multiple: false } } } as T;
+        }
+        if (expression.includes("?.inputs[0]")) {
+          return { result: { objectId: "input-object" } } as T;
+        }
+        return { result: { value: true } } as T;
+      }
+      return {} as T;
+    });
+    const cdp = {
+      send,
+      detachSession: vi.fn(async () => {}),
+      ensureNetworkCapture: vi.fn(async () => {}),
+      networkEntriesSince: vi.fn(() => ({
+        tab_id: 7,
+        entries: [],
+        next_since: 0,
+        truncated: false,
+      })),
+      setDeviceMetricsOverride: vi.fn(async () => {}),
+      clearDeviceMetricsOverride: vi.fn(async () => {}),
+      setUserAgentOverride: vi.fn(async () => {}),
+      setTouchEmulationEnabled: vi.fn(async () => {}),
+    };
+    const dispatcher = new ToolDispatcher({ transport, sessions, cdp: cdp as TestDispatcherCdp });
+    dispatcher.start();
+
+    deliver(
+      makeRequest("tool.upload", {
+        session_id: "aa11",
+        ref: "@e1",
+        files: [{ transfer_id: "tr_1", name: "test.png", staged_path: "/stage/test.png" }],
+      }),
+    );
+    await flushMicrotasks();
+    await vi.waitFor(() => expect(sent).toHaveLength(1));
+
+    expect(sent[0]).toMatchObject({ result: { tab_id: 7, file_names: ["test.png"] } });
+    expect(sendMessage).toHaveBeenNthCalledWith(1, 7, {
+      type: "bh-automation-bypass",
+      enabled: true,
+    });
+    expect(sendMessage).toHaveBeenNthCalledWith(2, 7, {
+      type: "bh-automation-bypass",
+      enabled: false,
+    });
+  });
+
   it("detaches CDP state before stopping a session", async () => {
     const { transport, sent, deliver } = fakeTransport();
     const sessions = new SessionManager({
diff --git a/apps/extension/src/tools/__tests__/file-transfer.test.ts b/apps/extension/src/tools/__tests__/file-transfer.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d1d2751
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/extension/src/tools/__tests__/file-transfer.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,809 @@
+import { describe, expect, it, vi } from "vitest";
+import { SessionManager } from "@/session-manager/manager";
+import { type DownloadsApi, handleDownload } from "../download";
+import { captureBrowserDownload } from "../download-capture";
+import { uploadThroughActivatedFileInput } from "../file-input-transaction";
+import type { ResolvedActionTarget } from "../interaction";
+import type { CdpRunner } from "../shared";
+import { handleUpload } from "../upload";
+
+function sessions() {
+  return new SessionManager({
+    agentWindow: {
+      create: vi.fn(async () => 100),
+      remove: vi.fn(async () => {}),
+      ensureActiveTab: vi.fn(async () => {}),
+    },
+  });
+}
+
+function tabsApi() {
+  return {
+    get: vi.fn(
+      async (tabId: number) => ({ id: tabId, windowId: 100, active: true }) as chrome.tabs.Tab,
+    ),
+    query: vi.fn(async () => [{ id: 4, windowId: 100, active: true } as chrome.tabs.Tab]),
+  };
+}
+
+function fakeEvent<T extends (...args: never[]) => unknown>() {
+  const listeners = new Set<T>();
+  return {
+    addListener: (listener: T) => listeners.add(listener),
+    removeListener: (listener: T) => listeners.delete(listener),
+    emit: (...args: Parameters<T>) => {
+      for (const listener of listeners) listener(...args);
+    },
+  };
+}
+
+function actionTarget(frameId?: string): ResolvedActionTarget {
+  return {
+    tab: { tabId: 4, windowId: 100, active: true },
+    backendNodeId: 123,
+    cdpTarget: { tabId: 4 },
+    ...(frameId ? { frameId } : {}),
+    usedRef: "e3",
+  };
+}
+
+function uploadCdp(
+  options: {
+    inputCount?: number;
+    multiple?: boolean;
+    chooser?: { frameId?: string; backendNodeId?: number; mode?: string };
+    pendingResolve?: boolean;
+  } = {},
+) {
+  const calls: Array<{ method: string; params?: object }> = [];
+  let cdpEvent: Parameters<NonNullable<CdpRunner["onEvent"]>>[0] | undefined;
+  const send = vi.fn(async (_tabId: number, method: string, params?: object) => {
+    calls.push({ method, params });
+    if (method === "Page.setInterceptFileChooserDialog") return {};
+    if (method === "Page.getLayoutMetrics")
+      return { cssLayoutViewport: { clientWidth: 1280, clientHeight: 720 } };
+    if (method === "DOM.getContentQuads") return { quads: [[0, 0, 20, 0, 20, 20, 0, 20]] };
+    if (method === "DOM.resolveNode") {
+      if (options.pendingResolve) return new Promise<never>(() => {});
+      return { object: { objectId: "trigger-object" } };
+    }
+    if (method === "Runtime.callFunctionOn") {
+      const declaration = (params as { functionDeclaration?: string }).functionDeclaration ?? "";
+      if (declaration.includes("Object.defineProperty")) return { result: { value: true } };
+      if (declaration.includes("count: state.inputs.length")) {
+        return {
+          result: {
+            value: {
+              count: options.inputCount ?? 1,
+              multiple: options.multiple ?? true,
+            },
+          },
+        };
+      }
+      if (declaration.includes("inputs[0]")) {
+        return { result: { objectId: "input-object" } };
+      }
+      return { result: { value: true } };
+    }
+    if (method === "DOM.describeNode") return { node: { backendNodeId: 456 } };
+    if (
+      method === "Input.dispatchMouseEvent" &&
+      (params as { type?: string }).type === "mousePressed" &&
+      options.chooser
+    ) {
+      cdpEvent?.({ tabId: 4 }, "Page.fileChooserOpened", options.chooser);
+    }
+    return {};
+  });
+  const cdp: CdpRunner = {
+    send: send as unknown as CdpRunner["send"],
+    onEvent: (handler) => {
+      cdpEvent = handler;
+      return { dispose: vi.fn() };
+    },
+  };
+  return {
+    calls,
+    emitChooser: (event: { frameId?: string; backendNodeId?: number; mode?: string }) =>
+      cdpEvent?.({ tabId: 4 }, "Page.fileChooserOpened", event),
+    cdp,
+  };
+}
+
+describe("file transfer tools", () => {
+  it("captures the file input activated by the requested click and injects only staged paths", async () => {
+    const manager = sessions();
+    const ctx = await manager.start("s1");
+    ctx.refStore.set("e3", 123, { tabId: 4 });
+    const { cdp, calls } = uploadCdp();
+
+    const result = await handleUpload(
+      manager,
+      {
+        session_id: "s1",
+        ref: "@e3",
+        files: [
+          { transfer_id: "tr_1", name: "one.png", staged_path: "/private/stage/one" },
+          { transfer_id: "tr_2", name: "two.png", staged_path: "/private/stage/two" },
+        ],
+      },
+      { cdp, tabsApi: tabsApi() },
+    );
+
+    expect(result).toMatchObject({ tab_id: 4, file_names: ["one.png", "two.png"] });
+    expect(calls[0]).toEqual({
+      method: "Page.setInterceptFileChooserDialog",
+      params: { enabled: true },
+    });
+    expect(calls).toContainEqual({
+      method: "Page.setInterceptFileChooserDialog",
+      params: { enabled: false, cancel: true },
+    });
+    expect(calls).toContainEqual({
+      method: "DOM.setFileInputFiles",
+      params: { files: ["/private/stage/one", "/private/stage/two"], backendNodeId: 456 },
+    });
+  });
+
+  it("fails immediately when the trigger does not activate a file input", async () => {
+    const { cdp } = uploadCdp({ inputCount: 0 });
+    const result = await uploadThroughActivatedFileInput({
+      cdp,
+      actionTarget: actionTarget(),
+      files: ["/private/stage/one"],
+      timeoutMs: 100,
+      trigger: async () => ({ tab_id: 4, x: 10, y: 10 }),
+    });
+
+    expect(result).toMatchObject({
+      code: "unsupported",
+      data: { reason: "file_input_not_activated", phase: "resolve_input" },
+    });
+  });
+
+  it("fails before clicking when chooser interception is unavailable", async () => {
+    const trigger = vi.fn(async () => ({ tab_id: 4, x: 10, y: 10 }));
+    const cdp: CdpRunner = {
+      send: vi.fn(async (_tabId: number, method: string) => {
+        if (method === "Page.setInterceptFileChooserDialog") {
+          throw new Error("method unavailable");
+        }
+        return {};
+      }) as CdpRunner["send"],
+    };
+
+    const result = await uploadThroughActivatedFileInput({
+      cdp,
+      actionTarget: actionTarget(),
+      files: ["/private/stage/one"],
+      timeoutMs: 100,
+      trigger,
+    });
+
+    expect(result).toMatchObject({
+      code: "cdp_failed",
+      data: { effect_state: "none", phase: "arm_interception" },
+    });
+    expect(trigger).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+  });
+
+  it("uses an exact chooser event as an independent input-location signal", async () => {
+    const { cdp, calls, emitChooser } = uploadCdp({ inputCount: 0 });
+    const result = await uploadThroughActivatedFileInput({
+      cdp,
+      actionTarget: actionTarget("f1"),
+      files: ["/private/stage/one"],
+      timeoutMs: 100,
+      trigger: async () => {
+        emitChooser({ frameId: "f1", backendNodeId: 789, mode: "selectSingle" });
+        return { tab_id: 4, x: 10, y: 10 };
+      },
+    });
+
+    expect(result).toMatchObject({ multiple: false });
+    expect(calls).toContainEqual({
+      method: "DOM.setFileInputFiles",
+      params: { files: ["/private/stage/one"], backendNodeId: 789 },
+    });
+  });
+
+  it("reports a File System Access picker without waiting for a timeout", async () => {
+    const { cdp, emitChooser } = uploadCdp({
+      inputCount: 0,
+    });
+    const result = await uploadThroughActivatedFileInput({
+      cdp,
+      actionTarget: actionTarget("f1"),
+      files: ["/private/stage/one"],
+      timeoutMs: 100,
+      trigger: async () => {
+        emitChooser({ frameId: "f1", mode: "selectSingle" });
+        return { tab_id: 4, x: 10, y: 10 };
+      },
+    });
+
+    expect(result).toMatchObject({
+      code: "unsupported",
+      message: "upload trigger invoked a non-input file picker",
+      data: { reason: "file_input_not_activated", phase: "resolve_input" },
+    });
+  });
+
+  it("bounds a stuck file-input probe", async () => {
+    const { cdp } = uploadCdp({ pendingResolve: true });
+
+    const result = await uploadThroughActivatedFileInput({
+      cdp,
+      actionTarget: actionTarget(),
+      files: ["/private/stage/one"],
+      timeoutMs: 5,
+      trigger: vi.fn(),
+    });
+
+    expect(result).toMatchObject({
+      code: "timeout",
+      data: { reason: "file_input_probe_failed", phase: "arm_input_probe" },
+    });
+  });
+
+  it("does not dispatch browser work when upload is already cancelled", async () => {
+    const controller = new AbortController();
+    controller.abort();
+    const { cdp, calls } = uploadCdp();
+
+    const result = await uploadThroughActivatedFileInput({
+      cdp,
+      actionTarget: actionTarget(),
+      files: ["/private/stage/one"],
+      timeoutMs: 100,
+      signal: controller.signal,
+      trigger: vi.fn(),
+    });
+
+    expect(result).toMatchObject({
+      code: "cancelled",
+      data: { effect_state: "none", phase: "arm_interception" },
+    });
+    expect(calls).not.toContainEqual({
+      method: "Page.setInterceptFileChooserDialog",
+      params: { enabled: true },
+    });
+    expect(calls.some((call) => call.method === "DOM.setFileInputFiles")).toBe(false);
+  });
+
+  it("stops before file assignment when cancellation interrupts input resolution", async () => {
+    const controller = new AbortController();
+    const fixture = uploadCdp();
+    const originalSend = fixture.cdp.send;
+    let markProbeStarted!: () => void;
+    const probeStarted = new Promise<void>((resolve) => {
+      markProbeStarted = resolve;
+    });
+    fixture.cdp.send = vi.fn((tabId: number, method: string, params?: object) => {
+      const declaration = (params as { functionDeclaration?: string } | undefined)
+        ?.functionDeclaration;
+      if (
+        method === "Runtime.callFunctionOn" &&
+        declaration?.includes("count: state.inputs.length")
+      ) {
+        markProbeStarted();
+        return new Promise<never>(() => {});
+      }
+      return originalSend(tabId, method, params);
+    }) as CdpRunner["send"];
+
+    const transaction = uploadThroughActivatedFileInput({
+      cdp: fixture.cdp,
+      actionTarget: actionTarget(),
+      files: ["/private/stage/one"],
+      timeoutMs: 1_000,
+      signal: controller.signal,
+      trigger: async () => ({ tab_id: 4, x: 10, y: 10 }),
+    });
+    await probeStarted;
+    controller.abort();
+    const result = await transaction;
+
+    expect(result).toMatchObject({
+      code: "cancelled",
+      data: { effect_state: "none", phase: "resolve_input" },
+    });
+    expect(fixture.calls.some((call) => call.method === "DOM.setFileInputFiles")).toBe(false);
+  });
+
+  it("disarms chooser interception when its enable response times out", async () => {
+    const calls: Array<{ method: string; params?: object }> = [];
+    const cdp: CdpRunner = {
+      send: vi.fn(async (_tabId: number, method: string, params?: object) => {
+        calls.push({ method, params });
+        if (
+          method === "Page.setInterceptFileChooserDialog" &&
+          (params as { enabled?: boolean }).enabled
+        ) {
+          return new Promise<never>(() => {});
+        }
+        return {};
+      }) as CdpRunner["send"],
+    };
+
+    const result = await uploadThroughActivatedFileInput({
+      cdp,
+      actionTarget: actionTarget(),
+      files: ["/private/stage/one"],
+      timeoutMs: 5,
+      trigger: vi.fn(),
+    });
+
+    expect(result).toMatchObject({
+      code: "timeout",
+      data: { effect_state: "none", phase: "arm_interception" },
+    });
+    expect(calls).toContainEqual({
+      method: "Page.setInterceptFileChooserDialog",
+      params: { enabled: false, cancel: true },
+    });
+  });
+
+  it("marks a timed-out file assignment unknown and detaches browser state", async () => {
+    const fixture = uploadCdp();
+    const originalSend = fixture.cdp.send;
+    const detach = vi.fn(async () => {});
+    fixture.cdp.detach = detach;
+    fixture.cdp.send = vi.fn((tabId: number, method: string, params?: object) => {
+      if (method === "DOM.setFileInputFiles") return new Promise<never>(() => {});
+      return originalSend(tabId, method, params);
+    }) as CdpRunner["send"];
+
+    const result = await uploadThroughActivatedFileInput({
+      cdp: fixture.cdp,
+      actionTarget: actionTarget(),
+      files: ["/private/stage/one"],
+      timeoutMs: 10,
+      trigger: async () => ({ tab_id: 4, x: 10, y: 10 }),
+    });
+
+    expect(result).toMatchObject({
+      code: "timeout",
+      data: { effect_state: "unknown", phase: "set_files" },
+    });
+    expect(detach).toHaveBeenCalledWith(4);
+  });
+
+  it("routes one exact-target download through a browser-relative capability", async () => {
+    const manager = sessions();
+    const ctx = await manager.start("s1");
+    ctx.refStore.set("e3", 123, { tabId: 4 });
+    const onCreated = fakeEvent<(item: chrome.downloads.DownloadItem) => void>();
+    const onChanged = fakeEvent<(delta: chrome.downloads.DownloadDelta) => void>();
+    const onDeterminingFilename =
+      fakeEvent<
+        (
+          item: chrome.downloads.DownloadItem,
+          suggest: (suggestion?: chrome.downloads.DownloadFilenameSuggestion) => void,
+        ) => void | true
+      >();
+    const initial = {
+      id: 9,
+      url: "https://example.test/result.zip",
+      finalUrl: "https://example.test/result.zip",
+      filename: "result.zip",
+      state: "in_progress",
+      fileSize: -1,
+      totalBytes: 12,
+      mime: "application/zip",
+      danger: "safe",
+    } as chrome.downloads.DownloadItem;
+    const completed = {
+      ...initial,
+      filename: "/profile/Downloads/BrowserSkill/tr_1/result.zip",
+      state: "complete",
+      fileSize: 12,
+    } as chrome.downloads.DownloadItem;
+    const downloads: DownloadsApi = {
+      onCreated,
+      onChanged,
+      onDeterminingFilename,
+      search: vi.fn(async () => [completed]),
+      cancel: vi.fn(async () => {}),
+      removeFile: vi.fn(async () => {}),
+    };
+    let cdpEvent: Parameters<NonNullable<CdpRunner["onEvent"]>>[0] | undefined;
+    let suggested: chrome.downloads.DownloadFilenameSuggestion | undefined;
+    const send = vi.fn(async (_tabId: number, method: string, params?: object) => {
+      if (method === "Page.getLayoutMetrics")
+        return { cssLayoutViewport: { clientWidth: 1280, clientHeight: 720 } };
+      if (method === "DOM.getContentQuads") return { quads: [[0, 0, 20, 0, 20, 20, 0, 20]] };
+      if (
+        method === "Input.dispatchMouseEvent" &&
+        (params as { type?: string }).type === "mousePressed"
+      ) {
+        cdpEvent?.({ tabId: 4 }, "Page.downloadWillBegin", {
+          url: initial.url,
+          suggestedFilename: "result.zip",
+        });
+        await new Promise<void>((resolve) => {
+          onDeterminingFilename.emit(initial, (value) => {
+            suggested = value;
+            resolve();
+          });
+        });
+        onCreated.emit(completed);
+      }
+      return {};
+    });
+    const cdp: CdpRunner = {
+      send: send as unknown as CdpRunner["send"],
+      onEvent: (handler) => {
+        cdpEvent = handler;
+        return { dispose: vi.fn() };
+      },
+    };
+
+    const result = await handleDownload(
+      manager,
+      { session_id: "s1", ref: "@e3", browser_relative_dir: "BrowserSkill/tr_1" },
+      { cdp, tabsApi: tabsApi(), downloads },
+    );
+
+    expect(suggested).toEqual({
+      filename: "BrowserSkill/tr_1/result.zip",
+      conflictAction: "overwrite",
+    });
+    expect(result).toMatchObject({
+      tab_id: 4,
+      suggested_filename: "result.zip",
+      byte_size: 12,
+      browser_path: completed.filename,
+    });
+  });
+
+  it("does not claim a download without an intent from the exact target", async () => {
+    const onCreated = fakeEvent<(item: chrome.downloads.DownloadItem) => void>();
+    const onChanged = fakeEvent<(delta: chrome.downloads.DownloadDelta) => void>();
+    const onDeterminingFilename =
+      fakeEvent<
+        (
+          item: chrome.downloads.DownloadItem,
+          suggest: (suggestion?: chrome.downloads.DownloadFilenameSuggestion) => void,
+        ) => void | true
+      >();
+    const downloads: DownloadsApi = {
+      onCreated,
+      onChanged,
+      onDeterminingFilename,
+      search: vi.fn(async () => []),
+      cancel: vi.fn(async () => {}),
+      removeFile: vi.fn(async () => {}),
+    };
+    let cdpEvent: Parameters<NonNullable<CdpRunner["onEvent"]>>[0] | undefined;
+    const cdp: CdpRunner = {
+      send: vi.fn(async () => ({})) as unknown as CdpRunner["send"],
+      onEvent: (handler) => {
+        cdpEvent = handler;
+        return { dispose: vi.fn() };
+      },
+    };
+    const unrelated = {
+      id: 17,
+      url: "https://example.test/unrelated.zip",
+      finalUrl: "https://example.test/unrelated.zip",
+      filename: "unrelated.zip",
+      state: "in_progress",
+    } as chrome.downloads.DownloadItem;
+    let defaultSuggestionCalled = false;
+
+    const result = await captureBrowserDownload({
+      cdp,
+      target: { tabId: 4, sessionId: "expected-child" },
+      downloads,
+      browserRelativeDir: "BrowserSkill/tr_1",
+      timeoutMs: 5,
+      trigger: async () => {
+        cdpEvent?.({ tabId: 4, sessionId: "other-child" }, "Page.downloadWillBegin", {
+          url: unrelated.url,
+          suggestedFilename: unrelated.filename,
+        });
+        onDeterminingFilename.emit(unrelated, (suggestion) => {
+          defaultSuggestionCalled = suggestion === undefined;
+        });
+        return { tab_id: 4, x: 10, y: 10 };
+      },
+    });
+
+    expect(defaultSuggestionCalled).toBe(true);
+    expect(downloads.cancel).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+    expect(result).toMatchObject({
+      code: "cdp_failed",
+      data: { reason: "download_capture_failed" },
+    });
+  });
+
+  it("correlates a filename candidate that arrives before the CDP intent", async () => {
+    const onCreated = fakeEvent<(item: chrome.downloads.DownloadItem) => void>();
+    const onChanged = fakeEvent<(delta: chrome.downloads.DownloadDelta) => void>();
+    const onDeterminingFilename =
+      fakeEvent<
+        (
+          item: chrome.downloads.DownloadItem,
+          suggest: (suggestion?: chrome.downloads.DownloadFilenameSuggestion) => void,
+        ) => void | true
+      >();
+    const initial = {
+      id: 21,
+      url: "https://example.test/candidate-first.bin",
+      finalUrl: "https://example.test/candidate-first.bin",
+      filename: "candidate-first.bin",
+      state: "in_progress",
+      fileSize: -1,
+      totalBytes: 4,
+      bytesReceived: 0,
+    } as chrome.downloads.DownloadItem;
+    const complete = {
+      ...initial,
+      state: "complete",
+      fileSize: 4,
+    } as chrome.downloads.DownloadItem;
+    const downloads: DownloadsApi = {
+      onCreated,
+      onChanged,
+      onDeterminingFilename,
+      search: vi.fn(async () => [complete]),
+      cancel: vi.fn(async () => {}),
+      removeFile: vi.fn(async () => {}),
+    };
+    let cdpEvent: Parameters<NonNullable<CdpRunner["onEvent"]>>[0] | undefined;
+    const cdp: CdpRunner = {
+      send: vi.fn(async () => ({})) as CdpRunner["send"],
+      onEvent: (handler) => {
+        cdpEvent = handler;
+        return { dispose: vi.fn() };
+      },
+    };
+    let suggestion: chrome.downloads.DownloadFilenameSuggestion | undefined;
+
+    const result = await captureBrowserDownload({
+      cdp,
+      target: { tabId: 4 },
+      downloads,
+      browserRelativeDir: "BrowserSkill/tr_21",
+      timeoutMs: 1_000,
+      trigger: async () => {
+        const suggested = new Promise<void>((resolve) => {
+          onDeterminingFilename.emit(initial, (value) => {
+            suggestion = value;
+            resolve();
+          });
+        });
+        cdpEvent?.({ tabId: 4 }, "Page.downloadWillBegin", {
+          url: initial.url,
+          suggestedFilename: initial.filename,
+        });
+        await suggested;
+        onCreated.emit(complete);
+        return { tab_id: 4, x: 10, y: 10 };
+      },
+    });
+
+    expect(suggestion).toEqual({
+      filename: "BrowserSkill/tr_21/candidate-first.bin",
+      conflictAction: "overwrite",
+    });
+    expect(result).toMatchObject({ item: { id: 21, state: "complete" } });
+  });
+
+  it("removes a completed download when the final size exceeds the limit", async () => {
+    const onCreated = fakeEvent<(item: chrome.downloads.DownloadItem) => void>();
+    const onChanged = fakeEvent<(delta: chrome.downloads.DownloadDelta) => void>();
+    const onDeterminingFilename =
+      fakeEvent<
+        (
+          item: chrome.downloads.DownloadItem,
+          suggest: (suggestion?: chrome.downloads.DownloadFilenameSuggestion) => void,
+        ) => void | true
+      >();
+    const initial = {
+      id: 22,
+      url: "https://example.test/oversized.bin",
+      finalUrl: "https://example.test/oversized.bin",
+      filename: "oversized.bin",
+      state: "in_progress",
+      fileSize: -1,
+      totalBytes: -1,
+      bytesReceived: 0,
+    } as chrome.downloads.DownloadItem;
+    const complete = {
+      ...initial,
+      filename: "/profile/Downloads/BrowserSkill/tr_22/oversized.bin",
+      state: "complete",
+      fileSize: 8,
+      totalBytes: 8,
+      bytesReceived: 8,
+    } as chrome.downloads.DownloadItem;
+    const downloads: DownloadsApi = {
+      onCreated,
+      onChanged,
+      onDeterminingFilename,
+      search: vi.fn(async () => [complete]),
+      cancel: vi.fn(async () => {}),
+      removeFile: vi.fn(async () => {}),
+    };
+    let cdpEvent: Parameters<NonNullable<CdpRunner["onEvent"]>>[0] | undefined;
+    const cdp: CdpRunner = {
+      send: vi.fn(async () => ({})) as CdpRunner["send"],
+      onEvent: (handler) => {
+        cdpEvent = handler;
+        return { dispose: vi.fn() };
+      },
+    };
+
+    const result = await captureBrowserDownload({
+      cdp,
+      target: { tabId: 4 },
+      downloads,
+      browserRelativeDir: "BrowserSkill/tr_22",
+      maxByteSize: 4,
+      timeoutMs: 1_000,
+      trigger: async () => {
+        cdpEvent?.({ tabId: 4 }, "Page.downloadWillBegin", {
+          url: initial.url,
+          suggestedFilename: initial.filename,
+        });
+        await new Promise<void>((resolve) => {
+          onDeterminingFilename.emit(initial, () => resolve());
+        });
+        onCreated.emit(initial);
+        onChanged.emit({ id: initial.id, state: { current: "complete" } });
+        return { tab_id: 4, x: 10, y: 10 };
+      },
+    });
+
+    expect(result).toMatchObject({
+      code: "cdp_failed",
+      data: { reason: "download_capture_failed", effect_state: "committed" },
+    });
+    expect(downloads.removeFile).toHaveBeenCalledWith(initial.id);
+    expect(downloads.cancel).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+  });
+
+  it.each([
+    ["cancel resolves", false],
+    ["cancel reports that completion won", true],
+  ])("reconciles a download that completes while %s", async (_label, cancelThrows) => {
+    const onCreated = fakeEvent<(item: chrome.downloads.DownloadItem) => void>();
+    const onChanged = fakeEvent<(delta: chrome.downloads.DownloadDelta) => void>();
+    const onDeterminingFilename =
+      fakeEvent<
+        (
+          item: chrome.downloads.DownloadItem,
+          suggest: (suggestion?: chrome.downloads.DownloadFilenameSuggestion) => void,
+        ) => void | true
+      >();
+    const initial = {
+      id: 23,
+      url: "https://example.test/racing.bin",
+      finalUrl: "https://example.test/racing.bin",
+      filename: "racing.bin",
+      state: "in_progress",
+      fileSize: -1,
+      totalBytes: -1,
+      bytesReceived: 0,
+    } as chrome.downloads.DownloadItem;
+    const complete = {
+      ...initial,
+      filename: "/profile/Downloads/BrowserSkill/tr_23/racing.bin",
+      state: "complete",
+      fileSize: 4,
+      totalBytes: 4,
+      bytesReceived: 4,
+    } as chrome.downloads.DownloadItem;
+    const downloads: DownloadsApi = {
+      onCreated,
+      onChanged,
+      onDeterminingFilename,
+      search: vi.fn().mockResolvedValueOnce([initial]).mockResolvedValueOnce([complete]),
+      cancel: vi.fn(async () => {
+        if (cancelThrows) throw new Error("download already complete");
+      }),
+      removeFile: vi.fn(async () => {}),
+    };
+    let cdpEvent: Parameters<NonNullable<CdpRunner["onEvent"]>>[0] | undefined;
+    const cdp: CdpRunner = {
+      send: vi.fn(async () => ({})) as CdpRunner["send"],
+      onEvent: (handler) => {
+        cdpEvent = handler;
+        return { dispose: vi.fn() };
+      },
+    };
+
+    const result = await captureBrowserDownload({
+      cdp,
+      target: { tabId: 4 },
+      downloads,
+      browserRelativeDir: "BrowserSkill/tr_23",
+      timeoutMs: 80,
+      trigger: async () => {
+        cdpEvent?.({ tabId: 4 }, "Page.downloadWillBegin", {
+          url: initial.url,
+          suggestedFilename: initial.filename,
+        });
+        await new Promise<void>((resolve) => {
+          onDeterminingFilename.emit(initial, () => resolve());
+        });
+        onCreated.emit(initial);
+        return { tab_id: 4, x: 10, y: 10 };
+      },
+    });
+
+    expect(result).toMatchObject({
+      code: "cdp_failed",
+      data: { reason: "download_capture_failed", effect_state: "committed" },
+    });
+    expect(downloads.cancel).toHaveBeenCalledWith(initial.id);
+    expect(downloads.removeFile).toHaveBeenCalledWith(initial.id);
+    expect(result).not.toMatchObject({ data: { cleanup_state: "failed" } });
+  });
+
+  it("rejects ambiguous attribution without cancelling either unclaimed download", async () => {
+    const onCreated = fakeEvent<(item: chrome.downloads.DownloadItem) => void>();
+    const onChanged = fakeEvent<(delta: chrome.downloads.DownloadDelta) => void>();
+    const onDeterminingFilename =
+      fakeEvent<
+        (
+          item: chrome.downloads.DownloadItem,
+          suggest: (suggestion?: chrome.downloads.DownloadFilenameSuggestion) => void,
+        ) => void | true
+      >();
+    const downloads: DownloadsApi = {
+      onCreated,
+      onChanged,
+      onDeterminingFilename,
+      search: vi.fn(async () => []),
+      cancel: vi.fn(async () => {}),
+      removeFile: vi.fn(async () => {}),
+    };
+    let cdpEvent: Parameters<NonNullable<CdpRunner["onEvent"]>>[0] | undefined;
+    const cdp: CdpRunner = {
+      send: vi.fn(async () => ({})) as CdpRunner["send"],
+      onEvent: (handler) => {
+        cdpEvent = handler;
+        return { dispose: vi.fn() };
+      },
+    };
+    const defaults: number[] = [];
+    const candidate = (id: number) =>
+      ({
+        id,
+        url: "https://example.test/same.bin",
+        finalUrl: "https://example.test/same.bin",
+        filename: "same.bin",
+        state: "in_progress",
+      }) as chrome.downloads.DownloadItem;
+
+    const result = await captureBrowserDownload({
+      cdp,
+      target: { tabId: 4 },
+      downloads,
+      browserRelativeDir: "BrowserSkill/tr_ambiguous",
+      timeoutMs: 100,
+      trigger: async () => {
+        cdpEvent?.({ tabId: 4 }, "Page.downloadWillBegin", {
+          url: "https://example.test/same.bin",
+          suggestedFilename: "same.bin",
+        });
+        for (const id of [31, 32]) {
+          onDeterminingFilename.emit(candidate(id), (value) => {
+            if (value === undefined) defaults.push(id);
+          });
+        }
+        return { tab_id: 4, x: 10, y: 10 };
+      },
+    });
+
+    expect(defaults.sort()).toEqual([31, 32]);
+    expect(downloads.cancel).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+    expect(result).toMatchObject({
+      code: "cdp_failed",
+      data: { effect_state: "unknown", phase: "attribution" },
+    });
+  });
+});
diff --git a/apps/extension/src/tools/dispatcher.ts b/apps/extension/src/tools/dispatcher.ts
index 2a9b326..4c7f15f 100644
--- a/apps/extension/src/tools/dispatcher.ts
+++ b/apps/extension/src/tools/dispatcher.ts
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ import type { Transport } from "@/transport/transport";
 import type {
   ClickParams,
   ConsoleParams,
+  DownloadParams,
   EmulateParams,
   EvaluateParams,
   FillParams,
@@ -28,10 +29,12 @@ import type {
   ScreenshotParams,
   SelectParams,
   SnapshotParams,
+  UploadParams,
   WaitForNavigationParams,
 } from "@/transport/types";
 import { isRequestFrame } from "@/transport/types";
 import { handleConsole } from "./console";
+import { handleDownload } from "./download";
 import { type EmulateCdpRunner, handleEmulate } from "./emulate";
 import { handleEvaluate } from "./evaluate";
 import { handleRequestHelp } from "./human-loop";
@@ -79,6 +82,7 @@ import {
   type TabReturnParams,
   type TabSelectParams,
 } from "./tabs";
+import { handleUpload } from "./upload";
 import { handleWaitForNavigation } from "./waits";
 import { handleWindowResize, type WindowResizeParams } from "./window";
 
@@ -517,6 +521,40 @@ export class ToolDispatcher {
             ),
           signal,
         );
+      case "tool.upload":
+        return this.withHoverReleaseForRequest(
+          req.params as UploadParams,
+          () =>
+            this.cdp
+              ? handleUpload(this.sessions, req.params as UploadParams, {
+                  cdp: this.cdp,
+                  tabsApi: chromeTabsApi,
+                  signal,
+                  bypassOverlay,
+                })
+              : Promise.resolve({
+                  code: "unsupported",
+                  message: "upload requires CDP",
+                } satisfies RpcError),
+          signal,
+        );
+      case "tool.download":
+        return this.withHoverReleaseForRequest(
+          req.params as DownloadParams,
+          () =>
+            this.cdp
+              ? handleDownload(this.sessions, req.params as DownloadParams, {
+                  cdp: this.cdp,
+                  tabsApi: chromeTabsApi,
+                  signal,
+                  bypassOverlay,
+                })
+              : Promise.resolve({
+                  code: "unsupported",
+                  message: "download requires CDP",
+                } satisfies RpcError),
+          signal,
+        );
       case "tool.evaluate":
         return handleEvaluate(
           this.sessions,
@@ -723,6 +761,8 @@ function sessionIdForBrowserControlMethod(req: RequestFrame): string | null {
     case "tool.fill":
     case "tool.press":
     case "tool.select":
+    case "tool.upload":
+    case "tool.download":
     case "tool.evaluate":
     case "tool.observe":
     case "tool.request_help":
diff --git a/apps/extension/src/tools/download-capture.ts b/apps/extension/src/tools/download-capture.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..411655e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/extension/src/tools/download-capture.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,375 @@
+// Order-independent coordinator for one browser download. CDP supplies the
+// exact target/frame intent while chrome.downloads supplies the download id
+// and filename routing hook; neither event is assumed to arrive first.
+
+import type { CdpTarget } from "@/browser-driver/frame-graph";
+import type { ClickResult, RpcError, TransferEffectState } from "@/transport/types";
+import { transferError } from "./errors";
+import { type CdpRunner, isRpcError } from "./shared";
+
+const CORRELATION_GRACE_MS = 750;
+const UNIQUE_SETTLE_MS = 50;
+const CLEANUP_RECONCILE_MS = 1_000;
+const CLEANUP_POLL_MS = 25;
+const SIZE_POLL_MS = 250;
+
+type DeterminingFilenameListener = (
+  item: chrome.downloads.DownloadItem,
+  suggest: (suggestion?: chrome.downloads.DownloadFilenameSuggestion) => void,
+) => void | true;
+
+interface ListenerEvent<T> {
+  addListener(listener: T): void;
+  removeListener(listener: T): void;
+}
+
+export interface DownloadsApi {
+  onCreated: ListenerEvent<(item: chrome.downloads.DownloadItem) => void>;
+  onChanged: ListenerEvent<(delta: chrome.downloads.DownloadDelta) => void>;
+  onDeterminingFilename: ListenerEvent<DeterminingFilenameListener>;
+  search(query: chrome.downloads.DownloadQuery): Promise<chrome.downloads.DownloadItem[]>;
+  cancel(downloadId: number): Promise<void>;
+  removeFile(downloadId: number): Promise<void>;
+}
+
+export const chromeDownloadsApi: DownloadsApi = {
+  get onCreated() {
+    return chrome.downloads.onCreated;
+  },
+  get onChanged() {
+    return chrome.downloads.onChanged;
+  },
+  get onDeterminingFilename() {
+    return chrome.downloads.onDeterminingFilename;
+  },
+  search: (query) => chrome.downloads.search(query),
+  cancel: (id) => chrome.downloads.cancel(id),
+  removeFile: (id) => chrome.downloads.removeFile(id),
+};
+
+export interface DownloadCaptureOptions {
+  cdp: CdpRunner;
+  target: CdpTarget;
+  expectedFrameId?: string;
+  downloads: DownloadsApi;
+  browserRelativeDir: string;
+  maxByteSize?: number;
+  timeoutMs: number;
+  signal?: AbortSignal;
+  trigger(): Promise<ClickResult | RpcError>;
+}
+
+export interface DownloadCaptureResult {
+  click: ClickResult;
+  item: chrome.downloads.DownloadItem;
+}
+
+interface DownloadIntent {
+  url: string;
+  suggestedFilename: string;
+  frameId?: string;
+}
+
+interface DownloadCandidate {
+  item: chrome.downloads.DownloadItem;
+  suggest: (suggestion?: chrome.downloads.DownloadFilenameSuggestion) => void;
+  suggested: boolean;
+  graceTimer: ReturnType<typeof setTimeout>;
+}
+
+function safeBasename(filename: string): string {
+  const basename = filename.split(/[\\/]/).pop()?.trim();
+  return basename && basename !== "." && basename !== ".." ? basename : "download";
+}
+
+function sameTarget(source: { tabId?: number; sessionId?: string }, target: CdpTarget): boolean {
+  return source.tabId === target.tabId && source.sessionId === target.sessionId;
+}
+
+function matchesIntent(item: chrome.downloads.DownloadItem, intent: DownloadIntent): boolean {
+  const urlMatches = item.url === intent.url || item.finalUrl === intent.url;
+  return urlMatches && safeBasename(item.filename) === safeBasename(intent.suggestedFilename);
+}
+
+function knownSize(item: chrome.downloads.DownloadItem): number | undefined {
+  if (item.fileSize >= 0) return item.fileSize;
+  if (item.totalBytes >= 0) return item.totalBytes;
+  return undefined;
+}
+
+function captureError(
+  message: string,
+  effectState: TransferEffectState,
+  phase: string,
+  cleanupFailed = false,
+): RpcError {
+  return transferError("cdp_failed", "download_capture_failed", message, {
+    effectState,
+    phase,
+    ...(cleanupFailed ? { cleanupState: "failed" } : {}),
+  });
+}
+
+async function cleanupClaimedDownload(downloads: DownloadsApi, downloadId: number): Promise<void> {
+  const lookup = async () => (await downloads.search({ id: downloadId }))[0];
+  let item = await lookup();
+  if (!item || item.state === "interrupted") return;
+  if (item.state === "complete") {
+    await downloads.removeFile(downloadId);
+    return;
+  }
+
+  let cancelError: unknown;
+  try {
+    await downloads.cancel(downloadId);
+  } catch (error) {
+    cancelError = error;
+  }
+
+  const deadline = Date.now() + CLEANUP_RECONCILE_MS;
+  while (true) {
+    item = await lookup();
+    if (!item || item.state === "interrupted") return;
+    if (item.state === "complete") {
+      await downloads.removeFile(downloadId);
+      return;
+    }
+    if (Date.now() >= deadline) {
+      if (cancelError instanceof Error) throw cancelError;
+      throw new Error("download remained in progress after cancellation");
+    }
+    await new Promise((resolve) =>
+      setTimeout(resolve, Math.min(CLEANUP_POLL_MS, Math.max(1, deadline - Date.now()))),
+    );
+  }
+}
+
+export async function captureBrowserDownload(
+  options: DownloadCaptureOptions,
+): Promise<DownloadCaptureResult | RpcError> {
+  let click: ClickResult | undefined;
+  let intent: DownloadIntent | undefined;
+  let capturedId: number | undefined;
+  let settled = false;
+  let succeeded = false;
+  let failureResult: RpcError | undefined;
+  let uniquenessTimer: ReturnType<typeof setTimeout> | undefined;
+  let operationTimer: ReturnType<typeof setTimeout> | undefined;
+  let sizePoll: ReturnType<typeof setInterval> | undefined;
+  const candidates = new Map<number, DownloadCandidate>();
+  const createdItems = new Map<number, chrome.downloads.DownloadItem>();
+
+  let resolveCompletion!: (item: chrome.downloads.DownloadItem) => void;
+  let rejectCompletion!: (error: Error) => void;
+  const completion = new Promise<chrome.downloads.DownloadItem>((resolve, reject) => {
+    resolveCompletion = resolve;
+    rejectCompletion = reject;
+  });
+  const fail = (error: Error) => {
+    if (settled) return;
+    settled = true;
+    rejectCompletion(error);
+  };
+  const complete = (item: chrome.downloads.DownloadItem) => {
+    if (settled) return;
+    const size = knownSize(item);
+    if (size !== undefined && options.maxByteSize !== undefined && size > options.maxByteSize) {
+      fail(new Error(`download exceeds transfer limit ${options.maxByteSize}`));
+      return;
+    }
+    settled = true;
+    resolveCompletion(item);
+  };
+  const suggestDefault = (candidate: DownloadCandidate) => {
+    if (candidate.suggested) return;
+    candidate.suggested = true;
+    candidate.suggest();
+  };
+  const matchingCandidates = (): DownloadCandidate[] => {
+    const currentIntent = intent;
+    return currentIntent
+      ? [...candidates.values()].filter(
+          (candidate) => !candidate.suggested && matchesIntent(candidate.item, currentIntent),
+        )
+      : [];
+  };
+
+  const claimUnique = () => {
+    uniquenessTimer = undefined;
+    if (settled || capturedId !== undefined || !intent) return;
+    const matches = matchingCandidates();
+    if (matches.length !== 1) {
+      if (matches.length > 1) {
+        for (const candidate of matches) suggestDefault(candidate);
+        fail(new Error("download attribution is ambiguous"));
+      }
+      return;
+    }
+    const candidate = matches[0];
+    candidate.suggested = true;
+    clearTimeout(candidate.graceTimer);
+    capturedId = candidate.item.id;
+    candidate.suggest({
+      filename: `${options.browserRelativeDir}/${safeBasename(intent.suggestedFilename)}`,
+      conflictAction: "overwrite",
+    });
+    const size = knownSize(candidate.item);
+    if (size !== undefined && options.maxByteSize !== undefined && size > options.maxByteSize) {
+      fail(new Error(`download exceeds transfer limit ${options.maxByteSize}`));
+      return;
+    }
+    const created = createdItems.get(candidate.item.id);
+    if (created?.state === "interrupted") {
+      fail(new Error(created.error ?? "download interrupted"));
+    } else if (created?.state === "complete") {
+      complete(created);
+    }
+  };
+  const reconcile = () => {
+    if (settled || capturedId !== undefined || !intent) return;
+    const matches = matchingCandidates();
+    if (matches.length > 1) {
+      for (const candidate of matches) suggestDefault(candidate);
+      fail(new Error("download attribution is ambiguous"));
+      return;
+    }
+    if (matches.length === 1 && !uniquenessTimer) {
+      uniquenessTimer = setTimeout(claimUnique, UNIQUE_SETTLE_MS);
+    }
+  };
+
+  const determiningListener: DeterminingFilenameListener = (item, suggest) => {
+    const candidate: DownloadCandidate = {
+      item,
+      suggest,
+      suggested: false,
+      graceTimer: setTimeout(() => {
+        suggestDefault(candidate);
+        candidates.delete(item.id);
+        if (intent && matchesIntent(item, intent) && capturedId === undefined) {
+          fail(new Error("download correlation grace elapsed before unique attribution"));
+        }
+      }, CORRELATION_GRACE_MS),
+    };
+    candidates.set(item.id, candidate);
+    reconcile();
+    return true;
+  };
+  const createdListener = (item: chrome.downloads.DownloadItem) => {
+    createdItems.set(item.id, item);
+    if (capturedId !== item.id) return;
+    if (item.state === "interrupted") {
+      fail(new Error(item.error ?? "download interrupted"));
+    } else if (item.state === "complete") {
+      complete(item);
+    }
+  };
+  const changedListener = async (delta: chrome.downloads.DownloadDelta) => {
+    if (capturedId === undefined || delta.id !== capturedId || settled) return;
+    if (delta.state?.current === "interrupted" || delta.error?.current) {
+      fail(new Error(delta.error?.current ?? "download interrupted"));
+      return;
+    }
+    if (delta.state?.current === "complete") {
+      try {
+        const [item] = await options.downloads.search({ id: delta.id });
+        if (item) complete(item);
+        else fail(new Error("completed download disappeared"));
+      } catch (err) {
+        fail(err instanceof Error ? err : new Error(String(err)));
+      }
+    }
+  };
+  const onAbort = () => fail(new DOMException("aborted", "AbortError"));
+  const cdpSubscription = options.cdp.onEvent?.((source, method, raw) => {
+    if (method !== "Page.downloadWillBegin" || !sameTarget(source, options.target)) return;
+    const event = raw as { url?: unknown; suggestedFilename?: unknown; frameId?: unknown };
+    if (typeof event.url !== "string" || typeof event.suggestedFilename !== "string") return;
+    if (options.expectedFrameId && event.frameId !== options.expectedFrameId) {
+      fail(new Error("download originated from a different frame"));
+      return;
+    }
+    if (intent) {
+      fail(new Error("download trigger produced more than one browser download intent"));
+      return;
+    }
+    intent = {
+      url: event.url,
+      suggestedFilename: event.suggestedFilename,
+      ...(typeof event.frameId === "string" ? { frameId: event.frameId } : {}),
+    };
+    reconcile();
+  });
+  if (!cdpSubscription) {
+    return captureError("CDP download intent subscription unavailable", "none", "arm");
+  }
+
+  options.downloads.onDeterminingFilename.addListener(determiningListener);
+  options.downloads.onCreated.addListener(createdListener);
+  options.downloads.onChanged.addListener(changedListener);
+  options.signal?.addEventListener("abort", onAbort, { once: true });
+  operationTimer = setTimeout(
+    () => fail(new Error("download did not complete before timeout")),
+    options.timeoutMs,
+  );
+  sizePoll = setInterval(() => {
+    if (capturedId === undefined || settled || options.maxByteSize === undefined) return;
+    void options.downloads
+      .search({ id: capturedId })
+      .then(([item]) => {
+        if (!item || settled) return;
+        if (item.bytesReceived > (options.maxByteSize as number)) {
+          fail(new Error(`download exceeds transfer limit ${options.maxByteSize}`));
+        }
+      })
+      .catch((err) => fail(err instanceof Error ? err : new Error(String(err))));
+  }, SIZE_POLL_MS);
+
+  try {
+    const triggered = await options.trigger();
+    if (isRpcError(triggered)) {
+      void completion.catch(() => undefined);
+      const effect: TransferEffectState =
+        capturedId !== undefined ? "committed" : intent ? "unknown" : "none";
+      failureResult = {
+        ...triggered,
+        data: { ...triggered.data, effect_state: effect, phase: "trigger" },
+      };
+      return failureResult;
+    }
+    click = triggered;
+    const item = await completion;
+    succeeded = true;
+    return { click, item };
+  } catch (err) {
+    const effect: TransferEffectState =
+      capturedId !== undefined ? "committed" : click ? "unknown" : "none";
+    failureResult = captureError(
+      err instanceof Error ? err.message : String(err),
+      effect,
+      capturedId !== undefined ? "download" : "attribution",
+    );
+    return failureResult;
+  } finally {
+    settled = true;
+    if (operationTimer) clearTimeout(operationTimer);
+    if (uniquenessTimer) clearTimeout(uniquenessTimer);
+    if (sizePoll) clearInterval(sizePoll);
+    options.signal?.removeEventListener("abort", onAbort);
+    options.downloads.onDeterminingFilename.removeListener(determiningListener);
+    options.downloads.onCreated.removeListener(createdListener);
+    options.downloads.onChanged.removeListener(changedListener);
+    cdpSubscription.dispose();
+    for (const candidate of candidates.values()) {
+      clearTimeout(candidate.graceTimer);
+      if (candidate.item.id !== capturedId) suggestDefault(candidate);
+    }
+    if (!succeeded && capturedId !== undefined) {
+      try {
+        await cleanupClaimedDownload(options.downloads, capturedId);
+      } catch {
+        if (failureResult?.data) failureResult.data.cleanup_state = "failed";
+      }
+    }
+  }
+}
diff --git a/apps/extension/src/tools/download.ts b/apps/extension/src/tools/download.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..047e263
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/extension/src/tools/download.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,64 @@
+// Download orchestration: validate session/tab ownership, then delegate one
+// browser-global chrome.downloads transaction to download-capture.ts.
+
+import type { SessionManager } from "@/session-manager/manager";
+import type { DownloadParams, DownloadResult, RpcError } from "@/transport/types";
+import { captureBrowserDownload, chromeDownloadsApi, type DownloadsApi } from "./download-capture";
+import { clickResolvedTarget, type InteractionDeps, resolveActionTarget } from "./interaction";
+import { enforceAgentWindow, isRpcError, lookupSession, resolveTargetTab } from "./shared";
+
+let downloadActive = false;
+
+export type { DownloadsApi } from "./download-capture";
+
+export interface DownloadDeps extends InteractionDeps {
+  downloads?: DownloadsApi;
+}
+
+export async function handleDownload(
+  manager: SessionManager,
+  params: DownloadParams,
+  deps: DownloadDeps,
+): Promise<DownloadResult | RpcError> {
+  if (downloadActive) return { code: "invalid_params", message: "another bsk download is active" };
+  downloadActive = true;
+  try {
+    const ctx = lookupSession(manager, params, "download");
+    if (isRpcError(ctx)) return ctx;
+    const target = await resolveTargetTab(manager, ctx, params.tab_id, deps.tabsApi);
+    if (isRpcError(target)) return target;
+    const denied = enforceAgentWindow(ctx, target, "download");
+    if (denied) return denied;
+    if (!params.browser_relative_dir) {
+      return { code: "invalid_params", message: "download requires a daemon capability directory" };
+    }
+    const address = await resolveActionTarget(deps.cdp, ctx, target, params, "download");
+    if (isRpcError(address)) return address;
+
+    const capture = await captureBrowserDownload({
+      cdp: deps.cdp,
+      target: address.cdpTarget,
+      downloads: deps.downloads ?? chromeDownloadsApi,
+      browserRelativeDir: params.browser_relative_dir,
+      maxByteSize: params.max_byte_size,
+      timeoutMs: params.timeout_ms ?? 120_000,
+      signal: deps.signal,
+      expectedFrameId: address.frameId,
+      trigger: () => clickResolvedTarget(ctx, address, {}, deps),
+    });
+    if (isRpcError(capture)) return capture;
+    const { click, item } = capture;
+    return {
+      tab_id: target.tabId,
+      used_ref: click.used_ref,
+      used_selector: click.used_selector,
+      suggested_filename: item.filename.split(/[\\/]/).pop() ?? "download",
+      byte_size: item.fileSize >= 0 ? item.fileSize : item.totalBytes,
+      mime: item.mime || undefined,
+      danger: item.danger,
+      browser_path: item.filename,
+    };
+  } finally {
+    downloadActive = false;
+  }
+}
diff --git a/apps/extension/src/tools/errors.ts b/apps/extension/src/tools/errors.ts
index 88cfd78..800a765 100644
--- a/apps/extension/src/tools/errors.ts
+++ b/apps/extension/src/tools/errors.ts
@@ -2,10 +2,23 @@
 // rendering. Extension handlers attach reasons here; human-facing copy
 // lives in bsk-cli `render_error.rs`.
 
-import type { ErrorCode, RpcError, RpcErrorData, RpcErrorReason } from "@/transport/types";
+import type {
+  ErrorCode,
+  RpcError,
+  RpcErrorData,
+  RpcErrorReason,
+  TransferCleanupState,
+  TransferEffectState,
+} from "@/transport/types";
 
 export type { RpcErrorData, RpcErrorReason };
 
+export interface TransferErrorOptions {
+  effectState: TransferEffectState;
+  phase: string;
+  cleanupState?: TransferCleanupState;
+}
+
 export function rpcError(
   code: ErrorCode,
   reason: RpcErrorReason,
@@ -15,3 +28,16 @@ export function rpcError(
   const data: RpcErrorData = { reason, ...extra };
   return { code, message, data };
 }
+
+export function transferError(
+  code: ErrorCode,
+  reason: RpcErrorReason,
+  message: string,
+  options: TransferErrorOptions,
+): RpcError {
+  return rpcError(code, reason, message, {
+    effect_state: options.effectState,
+    phase: options.phase,
+    ...(options.cleanupState ? { cleanup_state: options.cleanupState } : {}),
+  });
+}
diff --git a/apps/extension/src/tools/file-input-transaction.ts b/apps/extension/src/tools/file-input-transaction.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6e69b8b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/extension/src/tools/file-input-transaction.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,528 @@
+// One upload transaction with an explicit browser-side commit boundary.
+// Chrome interception prevents a native chooser from escaping automation;
+// chooser events and a frame-scoped DOM probe are independent input-location
+// signals, so event delivery is not required for standard file inputs.
+
+import type { ClickResult, RpcError, TransferEffectState } from "@/transport/types";
+import { transferError } from "./errors";
+import type { ResolvedActionTarget } from "./interaction";
+import { type CdpRunner, isRpcError, sendToCdpTarget } from "./shared";
+
+const CLEANUP_TIMEOUT_MS = 1_000;
+const DETACH_TIMEOUT_MS = 500;
+const ACTIVATION_GRACE_MS = 1_000;
+const PROBE_INTERVAL_MS = 20;
+
+type UploadPhase =
+  | "arm_interception"
+  | "arm_input_probe"
+  | "trigger"
+  | "resolve_input"
+  | "set_files"
+  | "cleanup";
+
+interface RuntimeReply {
+  result?: { value?: unknown; objectId?: string };
+  exceptionDetails?: { text?: string; exception?: { description?: string } };
+}
+
+interface ChooserEvent {
+  frameId?: string;
+  backendNodeId?: number;
+  mode?: "selectSingle" | "selectMultiple";
+}
+
+export interface FileInputTransactionOptions {
+  cdp: CdpRunner;
+  actionTarget: ResolvedActionTarget;
+  files: string[];
+  timeoutMs: number;
+  signal?: AbortSignal;
+  trigger(): Promise<ClickResult | RpcError>;
+}
+
+export interface FileInputTransactionResult {
+  click: ClickResult;
+  multiple: boolean;
+}
+
+class BoundedWaitError extends Error {
+  constructor(
+    readonly kind: "timeout" | "aborted",
+    message: string,
+  ) {
+    super(message);
+  }
+}
+
+function remainingMs(deadline: number): number {
+  return Math.max(0, deadline - Date.now());
+}
+
+async function waitBounded<T>(
+  operation: () => Promise<T>,
+  deadline: number,
+  signal: AbortSignal | undefined,
+  timeoutMessage: string,
+): Promise<T> {
+  const remaining = remainingMs(deadline);
+  if (signal?.aborted) throw new BoundedWaitError("aborted", "upload transaction aborted");
+  if (remaining === 0) throw new BoundedWaitError("timeout", timeoutMessage);
+
+  let timer: ReturnType<typeof setTimeout> | undefined;
+  let onAbort: (() => void) | undefined;
+  const boundary = new Promise<never>((_resolve, reject) => {
+    timer = setTimeout(() => reject(new BoundedWaitError("timeout", timeoutMessage)), remaining);
+    if (signal) {
+      onAbort = () => reject(new BoundedWaitError("aborted", "upload transaction aborted"));
+      signal.addEventListener("abort", onAbort, { once: true });
+    }
+  });
+  try {
+    const work = Promise.resolve().then(() => {
+      if (signal?.aborted) throw new BoundedWaitError("aborted", "upload transaction aborted");
+      if (remainingMs(deadline) === 0) throw new BoundedWaitError("timeout", timeoutMessage);
+      return operation();
+    });
+    return await Promise.race([work, boundary]);
+  } finally {
+    if (timer) clearTimeout(timer);
+    if (signal && onAbort) signal.removeEventListener("abort", onAbort);
+  }
+}
+
+function runtimeError(reply: RuntimeReply, fallback: string): Error | null {
+  if (!reply.exceptionDetails) return null;
+  return new Error(
+    reply.exceptionDetails.exception?.description ?? reply.exceptionDetails.text ?? fallback,
+  );
+}
+
+function transferFailure(
+  code: RpcError["code"],
+  reason: "file_input_probe_failed" | "file_input_not_activated" | "set_file_input_failed",
+  message: string,
+  effectState: TransferEffectState,
+  phase: UploadPhase,
+): RpcError {
+  return transferError(code, reason, message, { effectState, phase });
+}
+
+function enrichFailure(
+  error: RpcError,
+  effectState: TransferEffectState,
+  phase: UploadPhase,
+): RpcError {
+  return {
+    ...error,
+    data: { ...error.data, effect_state: effectState, phase },
+  };
+}
+
+function sameTarget(
+  source: { tabId?: number; sessionId?: string },
+  target: { tabId: number; sessionId?: string },
+): boolean {
+  return source.tabId === target.tabId && source.sessionId === target.sessionId;
+}
+
+async function delay(ms: number, signal?: AbortSignal): Promise<void> {
+  await waitBounded(
+    () => new Promise((resolve) => setTimeout(resolve, ms)),
+    Date.now() + ms + 1,
+    signal,
+    "upload activation probe timed out",
+  );
+}
+
+function waitErrorCode(error: unknown): RpcError["code"] {
+  if (!(error instanceof BoundedWaitError)) return "cdp_failed";
+  return error.kind === "aborted" ? "cancelled" : "timeout";
+}
+
+async function callOnTrigger<T = RuntimeReply>(
+  options: FileInputTransactionOptions,
+  objectId: string,
+  functionDeclaration: string,
+  args: unknown[],
+  returnByValue: boolean,
+): Promise<T> {
+  return sendToCdpTarget<T>(options.cdp, options.actionTarget.cdpTarget, "Runtime.callFunctionOn", {
+    objectId,
+    functionDeclaration,
+    arguments: args.map((value) => ({ value })),
+    returnByValue,
+    awaitPromise: false,
+  });
+}
+
+export async function uploadThroughActivatedFileInput(
+  options: FileInputTransactionOptions,
+): Promise<FileInputTransactionResult | RpcError> {
+  const deadline = Date.now() + options.timeoutMs;
+  const target = options.actionTarget.cdpTarget;
+  const objectGroup = `bsk-upload-${crypto.randomUUID()}`;
+  const stateKey = `__bskUpload_${crypto.randomUUID().replaceAll("-", "")}`;
+  const chooserEvents: ChooserEvent[] = [];
+  let interceptionState: "not_started" | "possibly_active" | "active" = "not_started";
+  let probeState: "not_started" | "possibly_active" | "active" = "not_started";
+  let triggerObjectId: string | undefined;
+  let outcome: FileInputTransactionResult | RpcError = transferFailure(
+    "protocol_error",
+    "file_input_probe_failed",
+    "upload transaction ended without an outcome",
+    "none",
+    "cleanup",
+  );
+
+  const chooserSubscription = options.cdp.onEvent?.((source, method, raw) => {
+    if (method !== "Page.fileChooserOpened" || !sameTarget(source, target)) return;
+    const event = raw as ChooserEvent;
+    chooserEvents.push(event);
+  });
+
+  try {
+    try {
+      interceptionState = "possibly_active";
+      await waitBounded(
+        () =>
+          sendToCdpTarget(options.cdp, target, "Page.setInterceptFileChooserDialog", {
+            enabled: true,
+          }),
+        deadline,
+        options.signal,
+        "arming native file chooser interception timed out",
+      );
+      interceptionState = "active";
+    } catch (err) {
+      outcome = transferFailure(
+        waitErrorCode(err),
+        "file_input_probe_failed",
+        err instanceof Error ? err.message : String(err),
+        "none",
+        "arm_interception",
+      );
+      return outcome;
+    }
+
+    try {
+      const resolved = await waitBounded(
+        () =>
+          sendToCdpTarget<{ object?: { objectId?: string } }>(
+            options.cdp,
+            target,
+            "DOM.resolveNode",
+            {
+              backendNodeId: options.actionTarget.backendNodeId,
+              objectGroup,
+            },
+          ),
+        deadline,
+        options.signal,
+        "resolving upload trigger timed out",
+      );
+      triggerObjectId = resolved.object?.objectId;
+      if (!triggerObjectId) throw new Error("DOM.resolveNode returned no trigger objectId");
+
+      probeState = "possibly_active";
+      const armed = await waitBounded(
+        () =>
+          callOnTrigger<RuntimeReply>(
+            options,
+            triggerObjectId as string,
+            `function(key) {
+            const doc = this.ownerDocument;
+            const owner = doc.defaultView;
+            if (!owner) return false;
+            const state = { inputs: [], listener: null };
+            Object.defineProperty(owner, key, { value: state, configurable: true });
+            state.listener = event => {
+              const path = typeof event.composedPath === "function" ? event.composedPath() : [];
+              const candidate = path[0] || event.target;
+              if (candidate && candidate.nodeType === 1 &&
+                  candidate.localName === "input" && candidate.type === "file") {
+                if (!state.inputs.includes(candidate)) state.inputs.push(candidate);
+                event.preventDefault();
+              }
+            };
+            doc.addEventListener("click", state.listener, true);
+            return true;
+          }`,
+            [stateKey],
+            true,
+          ),
+        deadline,
+        options.signal,
+        "arming frame-scoped file input probe timed out",
+      );
+      const armError = runtimeError(armed, "failed to arm file input probe");
+      if (armError || armed.result?.value !== true) {
+        throw armError ?? new Error("file input probe did not arm");
+      }
+      probeState = "active";
+    } catch (err) {
+      outcome = transferFailure(
+        waitErrorCode(err),
+        "file_input_probe_failed",
+        err instanceof Error ? err.message : String(err),
+        "none",
+        "arm_input_probe",
+      );
+      return outcome;
+    }
+
+    let click: ClickResult | RpcError;
+    try {
+      click = await waitBounded(
+        options.trigger,
+        deadline,
+        options.signal,
+        "upload trigger timed out",
+      );
+    } catch (err) {
+      outcome = transferFailure(
+        waitErrorCode(err),
+        "file_input_probe_failed",
+        err instanceof Error ? err.message : String(err),
+        "none",
+        "trigger",
+      );
+      return outcome;
+    }
+    if (isRpcError(click)) {
+      outcome = enrichFailure(click, "none", "trigger");
+      return outcome;
+    }
+
+    try {
+      const activationDeadline = Math.min(deadline, Date.now() + ACTIVATION_GRACE_MS);
+      let summary: { count: number; multiple: boolean } = { count: 0, multiple: false };
+      while (Date.now() < activationDeadline) {
+        if (chooserEvents.length > 0) break;
+        const reply = await waitBounded(
+          () =>
+            callOnTrigger<RuntimeReply>(
+              options,
+              triggerObjectId as string,
+              `function(key) {
+            const state = this.ownerDocument.defaultView?.[key];
+            return state
+              ? { count: state.inputs.length, multiple: state.inputs[0]?.multiple === true }
+              : { count: 0, multiple: false };
+          }`,
+              [stateKey],
+              true,
+            ),
+          activationDeadline,
+          options.signal,
+          "inspecting activated file input timed out",
+        );
+        const summaryError = runtimeError(reply, "failed to inspect activated file input");
+        if (summaryError) throw summaryError;
+        const value = reply.result?.value as { count?: unknown; multiple?: unknown } | undefined;
+        summary = {
+          count: typeof value?.count === "number" ? value.count : 0,
+          multiple: value?.multiple === true,
+        };
+        if (summary.count > 0) break;
+        await delay(Math.min(PROBE_INTERVAL_MS, remainingMs(activationDeadline)), options.signal);
+      }
+
+      if (chooserEvents.length > 1) {
+        outcome = transferFailure(
+          "unsupported",
+          "file_input_not_activated",
+          "upload trigger activated more than one file chooser",
+          "none",
+          "resolve_input",
+        );
+        return outcome;
+      }
+
+      const chooser = chooserEvents[0];
+      let backendNodeId: number | undefined;
+      let multiple = summary.multiple;
+      if (chooser) {
+        if (options.actionTarget.frameId && chooser.frameId !== options.actionTarget.frameId) {
+          outcome = transferFailure(
+            "unsupported",
+            "file_input_not_activated",
+            "upload trigger activated a file chooser in a different frame",
+            "none",
+            "resolve_input",
+          );
+          return outcome;
+        }
+        if (typeof chooser.backendNodeId !== "number") {
+          outcome = transferFailure(
+            "unsupported",
+            "file_input_not_activated",
+            "upload trigger invoked a non-input file picker",
+            "none",
+            "resolve_input",
+          );
+          return outcome;
+        }
+        backendNodeId = chooser.backendNodeId;
+        multiple = chooser.mode === "selectMultiple";
+      } else {
+        if (summary.count !== 1) {
+          outcome = transferFailure(
+            "unsupported",
+            "file_input_not_activated",
+            summary.count === 0
+              ? "upload trigger did not activate an input[type=file]"
+              : "upload trigger activated more than one input[type=file]",
+            "none",
+            "resolve_input",
+          );
+          return outcome;
+        }
+        const input = await waitBounded(
+          () =>
+            callOnTrigger<RuntimeReply>(
+              options,
+              triggerObjectId as string,
+              `function(key) { return this.ownerDocument.defaultView?.[key]?.inputs[0]; }`,
+              [stateKey],
+              false,
+            ),
+          deadline,
+          options.signal,
+          "resolving activated file input timed out",
+        );
+        const inputError = runtimeError(input, "failed to resolve activated file input object");
+        if (inputError) throw inputError;
+        if (!input.result?.objectId) throw new Error("activated file input returned no objectId");
+        const described = await waitBounded(
+          () =>
+            sendToCdpTarget<{ node?: { backendNodeId?: number } }>(
+              options.cdp,
+              target,
+              "DOM.describeNode",
+              { objectId: input.result?.objectId },
+            ),
+          deadline,
+          options.signal,
+          "describing activated file input timed out",
+        );
+        backendNodeId = described.node?.backendNodeId;
+        if (typeof backendNodeId !== "number") {
+          throw new Error("DOM.describeNode returned no file input backendNodeId");
+        }
+      }
+
+      if (!multiple && options.files.length !== 1) {
+        outcome = enrichFailure(
+          { code: "invalid_params", message: "file input accepts exactly one file" },
+          "none",
+          "resolve_input",
+        );
+        return outcome;
+      }
+
+      try {
+        await waitBounded(
+          () =>
+            sendToCdpTarget(options.cdp, target, "DOM.setFileInputFiles", {
+              files: options.files,
+              backendNodeId,
+            }),
+          deadline,
+          options.signal,
+          "setting file input files timed out",
+        );
+      } catch (err) {
+        outcome = transferFailure(
+          waitErrorCode(err),
+          "set_file_input_failed",
+          err instanceof Error ? err.message : String(err),
+          "unknown",
+          "set_files",
+        );
+        return outcome;
+      }
+      outcome = { click, multiple };
+      return outcome;
+    } catch (err) {
+      outcome = transferFailure(
+        waitErrorCode(err),
+        "file_input_probe_failed",
+        err instanceof Error ? err.message : String(err),
+        "none",
+        "resolve_input",
+      );
+      return outcome;
+    }
+  } finally {
+    chooserSubscription?.dispose();
+    const cleanupDeadline = Date.now() + CLEANUP_TIMEOUT_MS;
+    const cleanupTasks: Promise<boolean>[] = [];
+    const cleanup = async (operation: () => Promise<unknown>, message: string) => {
+      try {
+        await waitBounded(operation, cleanupDeadline, undefined, message);
+        return true;
+      } catch {
+        return false;
+      }
+    };
+    if (probeState !== "not_started" && triggerObjectId) {
+      cleanupTasks.push(
+        cleanup(
+          () =>
+            callOnTrigger(
+              options,
+              triggerObjectId as string,
+              `function(key) {
+              const owner = this.ownerDocument.defaultView;
+              const state = owner?.[key];
+              if (state?.listener) this.ownerDocument.removeEventListener("click", state.listener, true);
+              if (owner) delete owner[key];
+            }`,
+              [stateKey],
+              true,
+            ),
+          "cleaning file input probe timed out",
+        ),
+      );
+    }
+    if (interceptionState !== "not_started") {
+      cleanupTasks.push(
+        cleanup(
+          () =>
+            sendToCdpTarget(options.cdp, target, "Page.setInterceptFileChooserDialog", {
+              enabled: false,
+              cancel: true,
+            }),
+          "disabling file chooser interception timed out",
+        ),
+      );
+    }
+    let cleanupFailed = (await Promise.all(cleanupTasks)).some((completed) => !completed);
+    if (!cleanupFailed) {
+      cleanupFailed = !(await cleanup(
+        () => sendToCdpTarget(options.cdp, target, "Runtime.releaseObjectGroup", { objectGroup }),
+        "releasing upload object group timed out",
+      ));
+    }
+
+    const effect = isRpcError(outcome)
+      ? (outcome.data?.effect_state as TransferEffectState | undefined)
+      : "committed";
+    if (effect === "unknown" || cleanupFailed) {
+      try {
+        await waitBounded(
+          () => options.cdp.detach?.(target.tabId) ?? Promise.resolve(),
+          Date.now() + DETACH_TIMEOUT_MS,
+          undefined,
+          "detaching upload target timed out",
+        );
+      } catch {
+        cleanupFailed = true;
+      }
+    }
+    if (cleanupFailed && isRpcError(outcome)) {
+      outcome.data = { ...outcome.data, cleanup_state: "failed" };
+    }
+  }
+}
diff --git a/apps/extension/src/tools/interaction.ts b/apps/extension/src/tools/interaction.ts
index 182cabd..54646ed 100644
--- a/apps/extension/src/tools/interaction.ts
+++ b/apps/extension/src/tools/interaction.ts
@@ -40,6 +40,7 @@ import {
   enforceAgentWindow,
   isRpcError,
   lookupSession,
+  type ResolvedTargetTab,
   resolveTargetTab,
 } from "./shared";
 import { resolveSnapshotRef } from "./snapshot-ref";
@@ -56,6 +57,15 @@ export interface InteractionDeps {
   keepOverlayBypassAfterHover?: boolean;
 }
 
+export interface ResolvedActionTarget {
+  tab: ResolvedTargetTab;
+  backendNodeId: number;
+  cdpTarget: CdpTarget;
+  frameId?: string;
+  usedRef?: string;
+  usedSelector?: string;
+}
+
 const DEFAULT_TIMEOUT_MS = 30_000;
 const DEFAULT_HOVER_SETTLE_MS = 200;
 
@@ -128,7 +138,7 @@ async function wait(ms: number, signal?: AbortSignal): Promise<void> {
  * `RpcError` if the caller supplied neither (or both), or if neither
  * lookup matched.
  */
-async function resolveBackendNode(
+export async function resolveBackendNode(
   cdp: CdpRunner,
   ctx: SessionContext,
   target: { tabId: number },
@@ -215,6 +225,17 @@ async function resolveBackendNode(
   }
 }
 
+export async function resolveActionTarget(
+  cdp: CdpRunner,
+  ctx: SessionContext,
+  target: ResolvedTargetTab,
+  params: { ref?: string; selector?: string },
+  toolName: string,
+): Promise<ResolvedActionTarget | RpcError> {
+  const node = await resolveBackendNode(cdp, ctx, target, params, toolName);
+  return isRpcError(node) ? node : { tab: target, ...node };
+}
+
 // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 // tool.click
 // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -233,10 +254,19 @@ export async function handleClick(
   if (isRpcError(target)) return target;
   const denied = enforceAgentWindow(ctx, target, "click");
   if (denied) return denied;
-  const dialogCursor = markDialogCursor(deps.cdp, target.tabId);
+  const resolved = await resolveActionTarget(deps.cdp, ctx, target, params, "click");
+  if (isRpcError(resolved)) return resolved;
+  return clickResolvedTarget(ctx, resolved, params, deps);
+}
 
-  const node = await resolveBackendNode(deps.cdp, ctx, target, params, "click");
-  if (isRpcError(node)) return node;
+export async function clickResolvedTarget(
+  ctx: SessionContext,
+  resolved: ResolvedActionTarget,
+  params: Pick<ClickParams, "button" | "click_count" | "modifiers">,
+  deps: InteractionDeps,
+): Promise<ClickResult | RpcError> {
+  const { tab: target } = resolved;
+  const dialogCursor = markDialogCursor(deps.cdp, target.tabId);
 
   if (throwIfAborted(deps.signal)) {
     return { code: "cancelled", message: "click aborted" };
@@ -247,9 +277,9 @@ export async function handleClick(
     deps.cdp,
     target.tabId,
     {
-      target: node.cdpTarget,
-      backendNodeId: node.backendNodeId,
-      ...(node.frameId ? { frameId: node.frameId } : {}),
+      target: resolved.cdpTarget,
+      backendNodeId: resolved.backendNodeId,
+      ...(resolved.frameId ? { frameId: resolved.frameId } : {}),
     },
     { scrollIntoView: true },
   );
@@ -337,8 +367,8 @@ export async function handleClick(
 
   return attachDialogs(deps.cdp, target.tabId, dialogCursor, {
     tab_id: target.tabId,
-    used_ref: node.usedRef,
-    used_selector: node.usedSelector,
+    used_ref: resolved.usedRef,
+    used_selector: resolved.usedSelector,
     x: centre.x,
     y: centre.y,
   });
diff --git a/apps/extension/src/tools/shared.ts b/apps/extension/src/tools/shared.ts
index 3b2cb79..9483abf 100644
--- a/apps/extension/src/tools/shared.ts
+++ b/apps/extension/src/tools/shared.ts
@@ -53,6 +53,7 @@ export type { DialogCursor };
 export interface CdpRunner {
   send<T = unknown>(tabId: number, method: string, params?: object): Promise<T>;
   sendToTarget?<T = unknown>(target: CdpTarget, method: string, params?: object): Promise<T>;
+  detach?(tabId: number): Promise<void>;
   getFrameGraph?(tabId: number): Promise<CdpFrameGraph>;
   ensureAttachedToUrl?(tabId: number, expectedUrl: string | undefined): Promise<void>;
   trackSessionTab?(sessionId: string, tabId: number): void;
diff --git a/apps/extension/src/tools/upload.ts b/apps/extension/src/tools/upload.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..05a43ea
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/extension/src/tools/upload.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,59 @@
+// Upload orchestration: validate the session-scoped request, resolve its click
+// target, then delegate the browser protocol transaction to the file-input
+// transaction module.
+
+import type { SessionManager } from "@/session-manager/manager";
+import type { RpcError, UploadParams, UploadResult } from "@/transport/types";
+import { uploadThroughActivatedFileInput } from "./file-input-transaction";
+import { clickResolvedTarget, type InteractionDeps, resolveActionTarget } from "./interaction";
+import {
+  type CdpRunner,
+  enforceAgentWindow,
+  isRpcError,
+  lookupSession,
+  resolveTargetTab,
+} from "./shared";
+
+const DEFAULT_TIMEOUT_MS = 120_000;
+
+export interface UploadDeps extends InteractionDeps {
+  cdp: CdpRunner;
+}
+
+export async function handleUpload(
+  manager: SessionManager,
+  params: UploadParams,
+  deps: UploadDeps,
+): Promise<UploadResult | RpcError> {
+  const ctx = lookupSession(manager, params, "upload");
+  if (isRpcError(ctx)) return ctx;
+  const target = await resolveTargetTab(manager, ctx, params.tab_id, deps.tabsApi);
+  if (isRpcError(target)) return target;
+  const denied = enforceAgentWindow(ctx, target, "upload");
+  if (denied) return denied;
+  if (
+    params.files.length === 0 ||
+    params.files.length > 20 ||
+    params.files.some((file) => !file.staged_path)
+  ) {
+    return { code: "invalid_params", message: "upload requires daemon-staged files" };
+  }
+  const address = await resolveActionTarget(deps.cdp, ctx, target, params, "upload");
+  if (isRpcError(address)) return address;
+  const timeoutMs = params.timeout_ms ?? DEFAULT_TIMEOUT_MS;
+  const transaction = await uploadThroughActivatedFileInput({
+    cdp: deps.cdp,
+    actionTarget: address,
+    files: params.files.map((file) => file.staged_path as string),
+    timeoutMs,
+    signal: deps.signal,
+    trigger: () => clickResolvedTarget(ctx, address, {}, deps),
+  });
+  if (isRpcError(transaction)) return transaction;
+  return {
+    tab_id: target.tabId,
+    used_ref: transaction.click.used_ref,
+    used_selector: transaction.click.used_selector,
+    file_names: params.files.map((file) => file.name),
+  };
+}
diff --git a/apps/extension/src/transport/types.ts b/apps/extension/src/transport/types.ts
index 7ac8435..1d9c619 100644
--- a/apps/extension/src/transport/types.ts
+++ b/apps/extension/src/transport/types.ts
@@ -33,10 +33,22 @@ export type RpcErrorReason =
   | "restricted_tab_url"
   | "borrow_conflict"
   | "screenshot_capture_failed"
+  | "file_input_probe_failed"
+  | "file_input_not_activated"
+  | "set_file_input_failed"
+  | "download_capture_failed"
+  | "transfer_outcome_unknown"
+  | "transfer_timeout"
   | "cleanup_failed";
 
+export type TransferEffectState = "none" | "committed" | "unknown";
+export type TransferCleanupState = "complete" | "failed";
+
 export interface RpcErrorData {
   reason?: RpcErrorReason;
+  effect_state?: TransferEffectState;
+  phase?: string;
+  cleanup_state?: TransferCleanupState;
   [key: string]: unknown;
 }
 
@@ -505,6 +517,50 @@ export interface SelectResult {
   dialogs?: JavaScriptDialogInfo[];
 }
 
+export interface UploadFile {
+  transfer_id: string;
+  name: string;
+  staged_path?: string;
+}
+
+export interface UploadParams {
+  session_id: string;
+  ref?: string;
+  selector?: string;
+  tab_id?: number;
+  files: UploadFile[];
+  timeout_ms?: number;
+}
+
+export interface UploadResult {
+  tab_id: number;
+  used_ref?: string;
+  used_selector?: string;
+  file_names: string[];
+}
+
+export interface DownloadParams {
+  session_id: string;
+  ref?: string;
+  selector?: string;
+  tab_id?: number;
+  timeout_ms?: number;
+  browser_relative_dir?: string;
+  max_byte_size?: number;
+}
+
+export interface DownloadResult {
+  tab_id: number;
+  used_ref?: string;
+  used_selector?: string;
+  suggested_filename: string;
+  byte_size: number;
+  mime?: string;
+  danger?: string;
+  browser_path?: string;
+  transfer_id?: string;
+}
+
 // --------------------------------------------------------------------------
 // M9 tool payloads — evaluate / wait_for_navigation / wait_ms
 // --------------------------------------------------------------------------
diff --git a/apps/extension/wxt.config.ts b/apps/extension/wxt.config.ts
index 6e272d9..ff4fc53 100644
--- a/apps/extension/wxt.config.ts
+++ b/apps/extension/wxt.config.ts
@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@ export default defineConfig({
     permissions: [
       "alarms",
       "debugger",
+      "downloads",
       "idle",
       "notifications",
       "tabs",
diff --git a/crates/bsk-cli/Cargo.toml b/crates/bsk-cli/Cargo.toml
index afc980f..e24ef88 100644
--- a/crates/bsk-cli/Cargo.toml
+++ b/crates/bsk-cli/Cargo.toml
@@ -53,6 +53,7 @@ flate2 = { workspace = true }
 tar = { workspace = true }
 zip = { workspace = true }
 sha2 = { workspace = true }
+base64 = { workspace = true }
 
 [target.'cfg(unix)'.dependencies]
 nix = { workspace = true }
@@ -63,6 +64,7 @@ windows-sys = { version = "0.59", features = [
     "Win32_Foundation",
     "Win32_System_Threading",
     "Win32_Security",
+    "Win32_Storage_FileSystem",
 ] }
 
 [dev-dependencies]
diff --git a/crates/bsk-cli/skill/SKILL.md b/crates/bsk-cli/skill/SKILL.md
index 47a2177..89f447d 100644
--- a/crates/bsk-cli/skill/SKILL.md
+++ b/crates/bsk-cli/skill/SKILL.md
@@ -121,9 +121,151 @@ request-help   record start|stop
 
 Required flags that are easy to get wrong:
 
-```text
-bsk fill <ref> --value <text>      bsk select <ref> --value <option-value>
-bsk screenshot --out <path>        bsk emulate --device <preset-id>
+### Tabs (require `--session <id>`)
+
+| Command | Summary |
+|---------|---------|
+| `bsk tab list` | List tabs (`--scope user\|agent\|all`, default `all`) |
+| `bsk tab create` | New tab in Agent Window (`--url`, `--no-active`, `--index`) |
+| `bsk tab close <tab-id>` | Close an agent tab |
+| `bsk tab select <tab-id>` | Focus an agent tab |
+| `bsk tab borrow <tab-id>` | Move a user tab into the Agent Window |
+| `bsk tab return <tab-id>` | Return a borrowed tab to its original window |
+
+### Observation (require `--session` unless noted)
+
+| Command | Summary |
+|---------|---------|
+| `bsk snapshot` | First-choice static page understanding: accessibility tree with `@eN` element refs |
+| `bsk observe` | Semantic VOM observation with bounded perception probes for conditional surfaces |
+| `bsk get-html` | Raw HTML dump after snapshot is insufficient (high token cost) |
+| `bsk screenshot` | PNG capture after snapshot is insufficient: full visible tab, or `--ref @eN` to crop to one element (`--out` path optional) |
+
+### Console & network debugging (read-only; require `--session`)
+
+| Command | Summary |
+|---------|---------|
+| `bsk console` | Buffered page console messages, JS exceptions, and browser log entries (`--include-stack` for stack traces) |
+| `bsk network` | Buffered network responses (status, method, URL, MIME/resource type) and failures (`net::ERR_*` reason) |
+
+Both capture from the moment the tab is attached and read a bounded per-tab buffer: `--since <seq>` pages from a cursor (`next_since` in the result), `--limit` (default 50, max 200), `--max-text-chars` (default 1000, max 4096), `--tab-id` to target a non-active tab. Both are strictly read-only — they never intercept or modify traffic, and request/response headers, bodies, and timings are not captured.
+
+### Navigation
+
+| Command | Summary |
+|---------|---------|
+| `bsk navigate <url>` | Go to URL in agent tab (`--wait-until`, `--timeout`) |
+| `bsk navigate-back` | History back one step |
+| `bsk navigate-forward` | History forward one step |
+| `bsk reload` | Reload current tab (`--hard` bypass cache) |
+
+(`bsk navigate back` / `bsk navigate forward` are equivalent subcommands.)
+
+### Interaction
+
+| Command | Summary |
+|---------|---------|
+| `bsk click <ref-or-selector>` | Click element (`--button`, `--click-count`, `--modifiers`) |
+| `bsk hover <ref-or-selector>` | Move the mouse to an element and wait for hover UI to settle (`--settle`, `--modifiers`) |
+| `bsk fill <ref-or-selector> --value <text>` | Clear and type into input |
+| `bsk select <ref-or-selector> --value <v>` | Set `<select>` option(s) by `value` (repeat `--value` for multi-select) |
+| `bsk press <key>` | Key/combo (`Enter`, `Ctrl+A`, …; optional `--ref` to focus first) |
+
+### File transfer (require `--session`)
+
+| Command | Summary |
+|---------|---------|
+| `bsk upload <ref-or-selector> --file <path>` | Click one upload trigger and attach an agent-readable local file (`--file` is repeatable) |
+| `bsk download <ref-or-selector> --out <path>` | Click one download trigger and copy the single completed file to an exact local path (`--overwrite` is opt-in) |
+
+The agent/harness decides whether a file transfer is appropriate and which local path belongs to the task. Treat upload as disclosure of that file to the current website, and download as accepting website-controlled bytes onto the local filesystem. Use only paths that are necessary for the user's bounded goal.
+
+BrowserSkill enforces the mechanical boundary: files are staged under a session-scoped opaque transfer, only daemon-minted capabilities reach the extension, upload/download still obey Agent Window tab checks, and transfers are chunk/size bounded. Upload intercepts the native chooser for one transaction, locates the input activated in the resolved target's document, and assigns only the staged file paths. Download uniquely correlates one exact-target browser intent with one Chrome download in either event order, routes it through a daemon-minted relative directory, and lets the daemon validate and import it. Upload staging remains available for a later form submission and is removed when the session ends. Downloads cannot overwrite an existing destination unless `--overwrite` is explicit. BrowserSkill does not inspect file content or decide whether its meaning is sensitive.
+
+Do not use `request-help` merely because a native file chooser or browser download is involved; try these commands first. For transfer failures, use the structured error instead of retrying blindly:
+
+- `reason=file_input_not_activated` means the requested click did not activate exactly one `<input type="file">`; the page may use a non-input picker such as `window.showOpenFilePicker()`. Do not retry blindly. If human help is available, call `request-help` and tell the user the exact original local path to choose. The staged daemon path is internal and must not be shown to the user.
+- `reason=file_input_probe_failed` means BrowserSkill could not safely establish the browser-side upload transaction. Do not repeat the same action; use `request-help` when available.
+- `reason=set_file_input_failed` means BrowserSkill found the activated file input but Chrome rejected the staged path or assignment. Check the extension's file-URL access permission; otherwise use `request-help`.
+- `reason=download_capture_failed` means BrowserSkill could not attribute exactly one completed download to the requested target. Do not retry blindly or accept an unrelated browser download; use `request-help` when available.
+- `effect_state=none` means BrowserSkill confirmed that no file-transfer effect was committed. Follow the accompanying reason; a corrected target or explicit human fallback may be attempted.
+- `effect_state=unknown` means the browser may already have attached or created the file. Do not repeat the transfer. Observe the page if that can establish the result; otherwise stop and report the uncertainty.
+- `effect_state=committed` means the browser-side effect occurred even if later completion or cleanup failed. Do not repeat it; continue only after verifying the resulting page/download state.
+
+If `request-help` returns `outcome="disabled"`, do not retry it. Stop gracefully and report the transfer mechanism that requires human intervention.
+
+### Scripting & timing
+
+| Command | Summary |
+|---------|---------|
+| `bsk evaluate <expression>` | Run JS in agent tab (see red lines). JS throw → stderr, **exit 0** (RPC success); use `--json` and check `.ok` to detect JS errors |
+| `bsk wait-for-navigation` | Block until load/DOM idle/etc. (`--wait-until`, `--timeout`) |
+| `bsk wait-ms <duration>` | Sleep (`500ms`, `2s`, `1m`; **no** `--session`) |
+
+### Ask the human for help — `bsk request-help`
+
+When a step needs a human (captcha, login, OTP) or you want the user to
+confirm an important action, pause and ask:
+
+    bsk request-help --session <id> --prompt "Solve the captcha, then click Done only after the site accepts it" \
+      --title "Captcha required" --target @e7 --target "#submit" --timeout 5m
+
+- `--prompt` (required): what the user should do.
+- `--title` (optional): custom title for the overlay panel. When omitted,
+  the extension shows its default localized title.
+- `--target` (repeatable): a snapshot ref (`@e7`) or CSS selector
+  (`#submit`) to scroll to and flash-highlight. **Strongly recommended** —
+  whenever the prompt refers to a concrete element (a button to click, a
+  field to fill, a checkbox to toggle), pass its `@eN` ref / selector so the
+  user is guided straight to the right spot instead of hunting for it. For
+  interaction scenarios, always include the relevant target(s); reserve a
+  prompt with no `--target` for cases where there is genuinely no specific
+  element to point at (e.g. "wait for the page to finish loading").
+- `--timeout` (default `5m`): how long to wait.
+- `--completion-criteria` (optional): JSON success detector. Use it only
+  when there is a concrete post-help success signal, e.g.
+  `{"any":[{"url_contains":"/dashboard"},{"selector_exists":"[data-testid='account-menu']"}],"stable_for_ms":1000}`.
+
+The target tab is brought to the foreground; the page stays interactive
+while the agent control mask is hidden. The call blocks until the user
+explicitly acts, the timeout expires, cancellation arrives, or explicit
+completion criteria match. Page reloads, SPA route changes, and captcha
+refreshes do not return control by themselves. The result `outcome` is one of:
+
+- `continued` — the user finished and clicked Done / return control (treat as confirm).
+- `cancelled` — the user clicked Cancel (treat as reject/abort).
+- `timed_out` — nobody acted within the timeout.
+- `completed` — the explicit `--completion-criteria` matched while the user had control.
+- `navigated` — deprecated legacy outcome. Do not rely on navigation as a completion signal.
+
+`note` carries any text the user typed back. `resolved_targets` reports
+which refs/selectors matched a live element.
+
+`request-help` does not refresh the page model after the user returns
+control. After a `continued` or `completed` result, issue a separate
+observation tool call (usually `bsk snapshot --session <id>`) before using
+new refs or reasoning about the post-help page state.
+#### Disabling request-help (unattended mode)
+Set `BSK_REQUEST_HELP=off` on unattended servers: `bsk request-help` then
+returns immediately with `outcome="disabled"` (no overlay, no waiting,
+exit 0). Any other value keeps it enabled. If you get `disabled`, do not
+retry — complete the task autonomously or stop gracefully.
+
+### Recording — `bsk record`
+
+Capture the user's own actions in the Agent Window to a **trace bundle**, for later LLM-driven automation. New CLI builds request **trace v3** (page observations + action chain); older extensions may still return **trace v2** (actions only), which the CLI exports as a single `trace.json` without `states/`.
+
+```bash
+bsk record start --browser <instance-id-or-label> \
+  [--url https://…] [--purpose "publish a wiki doc"] \
+  [--max-page-tokens 3000] [--redact-values] \
+  [--output trace]
+# `--url` is optional; default https://example.com/ when omitted (must be http(s)).
+# Blocks until the user clicks Finish in the recording panel, then writes:
+#   trace/trace.json    — action chain (+ state index when v3)
+#   trace/states/       — v3 only: one `sN.txt` observe snapshot per settled page state
+
+bsk record stop [--output trace]   # terminal fallback if the browser panel is unavailable
 ```
 
 `select` matches an option's `value` attribute, not its visible label. Device preset ids are
diff --git a/crates/bsk-cli/src/cli/atomic_output.rs b/crates/bsk-cli/src/cli/atomic_output.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5efacf2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/crates/bsk-cli/src/cli/atomic_output.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,75 @@
+//! Atomic visibility boundary for files received into a same-directory temp.
+
+use std::path::Path;
+
+pub fn commit(temp: &Path, out: &Path, overwrite: bool) -> std::io::Result<()> {
+    if !overwrite {
+        std::fs::hard_link(temp, out)?;
+        std::fs::remove_file(temp)?;
+        return Ok(());
+    }
+    replace(temp, out)
+}
+
+#[cfg(unix)]
+fn replace(temp: &Path, out: &Path) -> std::io::Result<()> {
+    // POSIX rename replaces an existing non-directory destination atomically.
+    std::fs::rename(temp, out)
+}
+
+#[cfg(windows)]
+fn replace(temp: &Path, out: &Path) -> std::io::Result<()> {
+    use std::os::windows::ffi::OsStrExt;
+    use windows_sys::Win32::Storage::FileSystem::{
+        MOVEFILE_REPLACE_EXISTING, MOVEFILE_WRITE_THROUGH, MoveFileExW,
+    };
+
+    let from: Vec<u16> = temp.as_os_str().encode_wide().chain(Some(0)).collect();
+    let to: Vec<u16> = out.as_os_str().encode_wide().chain(Some(0)).collect();
+    // SAFETY: both buffers are NUL-terminated and remain alive for the call.
+    let ok = unsafe {
+        MoveFileExW(
+            from.as_ptr(),
+            to.as_ptr(),
+            MOVEFILE_REPLACE_EXISTING | MOVEFILE_WRITE_THROUGH,
+        )
+    };
+    if ok == 0 {
+        Err(std::io::Error::last_os_error())
+    } else {
+        Ok(())
+    }
+}
+
+#[cfg(not(any(unix, windows)))]
+fn replace(temp: &Path, out: &Path) -> std::io::Result<()> {
+    std::fs::rename(temp, out)
+}
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod tests {
+    use super::*;
+
+    #[test]
+    fn no_replace_never_overwrites_existing_output() {
+        let dir = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
+        let temp = dir.path().join("new.part");
+        let out = dir.path().join("out.bin");
+        std::fs::write(&temp, b"new").unwrap();
+        std::fs::write(&out, b"old").unwrap();
+        assert!(commit(&temp, &out, false).is_err());
+        assert_eq!(std::fs::read(&out).unwrap(), b"old");
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn overwrite_replaces_existing_output_without_predelete() {
+        let dir = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
+        let temp = dir.path().join("new.part");
+        let out = dir.path().join("out.bin");
+        std::fs::write(&temp, b"new").unwrap();
+        std::fs::write(&out, b"old").unwrap();
+        commit(&temp, &out, true).unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(std::fs::read(&out).unwrap(), b"new");
+        assert!(!temp.exists());
+    }
+}
diff --git a/crates/bsk-cli/src/cli/download.rs b/crates/bsk-cli/src/cli/download.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5a97b28
--- /dev/null
+++ b/crates/bsk-cli/src/cli/download.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,147 @@
+//! `bsk download` — capture one browser download and atomically commit it.
+
+use std::fs::OpenOptions;
+use std::io::Write;
+use std::path::{Path, PathBuf};
+use std::time::Duration;
+
+use anyhow::Context;
+use base64::Engine;
+use bsk_protocol::Method;
+use bsk_protocol::tools::{
+    DownloadParams, DownloadResult, TransferChunkParams, TransferChunkResult, TransferIdParams,
+    TransferReleaseResult,
+};
+use clap::Args;
+use uuid::Uuid;
+
+use crate::cli::atomic_output;
+use crate::cli::ensure_daemon::ensure_daemon;
+use crate::cli::error::{CliError, Format};
+use crate::cli::interaction::split_target;
+use crate::cli::navigate::parse_timeout_ms;
+
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, Args)]
+pub struct DownloadArgs {
+    /// Snapshot ref (`@e3`) or CSS selector for the download trigger.
+    pub target: Option<String>,
+    #[arg(long = "ref")]
+    pub ref_: Option<String>,
+    #[arg(long = "selector")]
+    pub selector: Option<String>,
+    #[arg(long)]
+    pub out: PathBuf,
+    #[arg(long)]
+    pub session: String,
+    #[arg(long = "tab-id")]
+    pub tab_id: Option<i64>,
+    #[arg(long, default_value = "2m", value_parser = parse_timeout_ms)]
+    pub timeout: u32,
+    #[arg(long)]
+    pub overwrite: bool,
+}
+
+pub fn dispatch(args: DownloadArgs, format: Format) -> Result<(), CliError> {
+    if args.out.exists() && !args.overwrite {
+        return Err(CliError::Local(anyhow::anyhow!(
+            "output already exists (pass --overwrite to replace it): {}",
+            args.out.display()
+        )));
+    }
+    let info = ensure_daemon().context("ensure daemon is running")?;
+    let (ref_, selector) = split_target(args.target, args.ref_, args.selector)?;
+    let params = DownloadParams {
+        session_id: args.session,
+        ref_,
+        selector,
+        tab_id: args.tab_id,
+        timeout_ms: Some(args.timeout),
+        browser_relative_dir: None,
+        max_byte_size: None,
+    };
+    let reply: DownloadResult = crate::cli::business_rpc::call(
+        info.sock_path.clone(),
+        "download",
+        Method::ToolDownload,
+        Some(params),
+        ipc_timeout(args.timeout),
+    )?;
+    let transfer_id = reply.transfer_id.clone().ok_or_else(|| {
+        CliError::Local(anyhow::anyhow!("daemon returned no download transfer id"))
+    })?;
+    let write_result = write_transfer(&info.sock_path, &transfer_id, &args.out, args.overwrite);
+    let _: Result<TransferReleaseResult, CliError> = crate::cli::business_rpc::call(
+        info.sock_path,
+        "transfer-release",
+        Method::TransferRelease,
+        Some(TransferIdParams { transfer_id }),
+        Duration::from_secs(5),
+    );
+    write_result?;
+    match format {
+        Format::Json => {
+            let mut value = serde_json::to_value(&reply).unwrap();
+            value["path"] = serde_json::json!(args.out.to_string_lossy());
+            if let Some(obj) = value.as_object_mut() {
+                obj.remove("transfer_id");
+                obj.remove("browser_path");
+            }
+            println!("{}", serde_json::to_string_pretty(&value).unwrap());
+        }
+        Format::Human => println!("{}", args.out.display()),
+    }
+    Ok(())
+}
+
+fn write_transfer(sock: &Path, id: &str, out: &Path, overwrite: bool) -> Result<(), CliError> {
+    let parent = out
+        .parent()
+        .filter(|p| !p.as_os_str().is_empty())
+        .unwrap_or(Path::new("."));
+    let temp = parent.join(format!(".bsk-download-{}.part", Uuid::new_v4().simple()));
+    let result = (|| {
+        let mut file = OpenOptions::new()
+            .write(true)
+            .create_new(true)
+            .open(&temp)
+            .with_context(|| format!("create temporary download {}", temp.display()))
+            .map_err(CliError::Local)?;
+        let mut offset = 0u64;
+        loop {
+            let chunk: TransferChunkResult = crate::cli::business_rpc::call(
+                sock.to_path_buf(),
+                "transfer-read",
+                Method::TransferRead,
+                Some(TransferChunkParams {
+                    transfer_id: id.to_string(),
+                    offset,
+                    data_base64: String::new(),
+                }),
+                Duration::from_secs(30),
+            )?;
+            let encoded = chunk.data_base64.as_deref().unwrap_or("");
+            let bytes = base64::engine::general_purpose::STANDARD
+                .decode(encoded)
+                .map_err(|e| CliError::Local(anyhow::anyhow!("decode download chunk: {e}")))?;
+            file.write_all(&bytes)
+                .map_err(|e| CliError::Local(e.into()))?;
+            offset = chunk.next_offset;
+            if chunk.eof {
+                break;
+            }
+        }
+        file.sync_all().map_err(|e| CliError::Local(e.into()))?;
+        drop(file);
+        atomic_output::commit(&temp, out, overwrite)
+            .with_context(|| format!("atomically commit download to {}", out.display()))
+            .map_err(CliError::Local)
+    })();
+    if result.is_err() {
+        let _ = std::fs::remove_file(&temp);
+    }
+    result
+}
+
+fn ipc_timeout(timeout_ms: u32) -> Duration {
+    Duration::from_millis(u64::from(timeout_ms) + 5_000)
+}
diff --git a/crates/bsk-cli/src/cli/interaction.rs b/crates/bsk-cli/src/cli/interaction.rs
index a6fa856..075f9ac 100644
--- a/crates/bsk-cli/src/cli/interaction.rs
+++ b/crates/bsk-cli/src/cli/interaction.rs
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@ pub(crate) fn parse_modifiers(input: &str) -> Result<Vec<KeyModifier>, String> {
     Ok(out)
 }
 
-fn split_target(
+pub(crate) fn split_target(
     positional: Option<String>,
     explicit_ref: Option<String>,
     explicit_selector: Option<String>,
diff --git a/crates/bsk-cli/src/cli/mod.rs b/crates/bsk-cli/src/cli/mod.rs
index cba2d49..4776ebe 100644
--- a/crates/bsk-cli/src/cli/mod.rs
+++ b/crates/bsk-cli/src/cli/mod.rs
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 
 use std::time::Duration;
 
+mod atomic_output;
 pub mod browser_wait;
 pub mod browsers;
 pub mod business_rpc;
@@ -9,6 +10,7 @@ pub mod console;
 pub mod daemon;
 pub mod dialogs;
 pub mod doctor;
+pub mod download;
 pub mod emulate;
 pub mod ensure_daemon;
 pub mod error;
@@ -31,6 +33,7 @@ pub mod snapshot;
 pub mod status;
 pub mod tab;
 pub mod update;
+pub mod upload;
 pub mod waits;
 pub mod window;
 
@@ -38,6 +41,7 @@ use clap::{Args, Parser, Subcommand};
 
 use crate::cli::console::ConsoleArgs;
 use crate::cli::daemon::DaemonCmd;
+use crate::cli::download::DownloadArgs;
 use crate::cli::emulate::EmulateArgs;
 use crate::cli::evaluate::EvaluateArgs;
 use crate::cli::get_html::GetHtmlArgs;
@@ -53,6 +57,7 @@ use crate::cli::session::SessionCmd;
 use crate::cli::snapshot::SnapshotArgs;
 use crate::cli::tab::TabCmd;
 use crate::cli::update::UpdateArgs;
+use crate::cli::upload::UploadArgs;
 use crate::cli::waits::{WaitForNavigationArgs, WaitMsArgs};
 use crate::cli::window::WindowCmd;
 
@@ -177,6 +182,12 @@ pub enum Command {
     /// Set `<select>` option values by `value` attribute.
     Select(SelectArgs),
 
+    /// Upload one or more local files through a page file chooser.
+    Upload(UploadArgs),
+
+    /// Capture one browser download and write it to a local path.
+    Download(DownloadArgs),
+
     /// Evaluate a JavaScript expression inside the Agent Window.
     Evaluate(EvaluateArgs),
 
diff --git a/crates/bsk-cli/src/cli/render_error.rs b/crates/bsk-cli/src/cli/render_error.rs
index db52f47..05db2b7 100644
--- a/crates/bsk-cli/src/cli/render_error.rs
+++ b/crates/bsk-cli/src/cli/render_error.rs
@@ -49,6 +49,12 @@ pub mod reason {
     pub const TAB_NOT_ACTIVE: &str = "tab_not_active";
     pub const BORROW_CONFLICT: &str = "borrow_conflict";
     pub const SCREENSHOT_CAPTURE_FAILED: &str = "screenshot_capture_failed";
+    pub const FILE_INPUT_PROBE_FAILED: &str = "file_input_probe_failed";
+    pub const FILE_INPUT_NOT_ACTIVATED: &str = "file_input_not_activated";
+    pub const SET_FILE_INPUT_FAILED: &str = "set_file_input_failed";
+    pub const DOWNLOAD_CAPTURE_FAILED: &str = "download_capture_failed";
+    pub const TRANSFER_OUTCOME_UNKNOWN: &str = "transfer_outcome_unknown";
+    pub const TRANSFER_TIMEOUT: &str = "transfer_timeout";
     pub const SESSION_BUSY: &str = crate::rpc_reason::SESSION_BUSY;
     pub const RECORD_START_PAGE_UNREACHABLE: &str = "record_start_page_unreachable";
 }
@@ -197,6 +203,20 @@ pub fn info_for_error(code: ErrorCode, data: Option<&serde_json::Value>) -> Rend
         return base;
     };
     match (code, reason) {
+        (_, reason::TRANSFER_OUTCOME_UNKNOWN) => RenderInfo {
+            summary: "the file transfer outcome could not be confirmed",
+            hint: Some(
+                "do not retry the transfer: the browser may already have applied it; inspect the page or stop safely",
+            ),
+            exit_code: base.exit_code,
+        },
+        (ErrorCode::Timeout, reason::TRANSFER_TIMEOUT) => RenderInfo {
+            summary: "the file transfer timed out after browser dispatch",
+            hint: Some(
+                "do not retry when effect_state is unknown or committed; inspect the page before taking another action",
+            ),
+            exit_code: base.exit_code,
+        },
         (ErrorCode::PermissionDenied, reason::ELEMENT_NOT_VISIBLE) => RenderInfo {
             summary: "target element has no visible geometry",
             hint: Some(
@@ -280,6 +300,36 @@ pub fn info_for_error(code: ErrorCode, data: Option<&serde_json::Value>) -> Rend
             ),
             exit_code: base.exit_code,
         },
+        (ErrorCode::Unsupported, reason::FILE_INPUT_NOT_ACTIVATED) => RenderInfo {
+            summary: "the upload trigger did not activate a file input",
+            hint: Some(
+                "the page may use a non-input picker such as showOpenFilePicker(); do not retry blindly — use `bsk request-help` with the exact original local path, or stop if human help is disabled",
+            ),
+            exit_code: base.exit_code,
+        },
+        (ErrorCode::Timeout | ErrorCode::CdpFailed, reason::FILE_INPUT_PROBE_FAILED) => {
+            RenderInfo {
+                summary: "the browser upload transaction could not be established",
+                hint: Some(
+                    "do not retry the same upload blindly; use `bsk request-help` when human help is available",
+                ),
+                exit_code: base.exit_code,
+            }
+        }
+        (ErrorCode::Timeout | ErrorCode::CdpFailed, reason::SET_FILE_INPUT_FAILED) => RenderInfo {
+            summary: "the browser could not attach the staged file to the input",
+            hint: Some(
+                "check that BrowserSkill has Chrome's 'Allow access to file URLs' permission; otherwise use `bsk request-help`",
+            ),
+            exit_code: base.exit_code,
+        },
+        (ErrorCode::CdpFailed, reason::DOWNLOAD_CAPTURE_FAILED) => RenderInfo {
+            summary: "the browser download could not be attributed or completed",
+            hint: Some(
+                "do not retry blindly; the target browser may not expose a reliable download intent signal",
+            ),
+            exit_code: base.exit_code,
+        },
         _ => base,
     }
 }
@@ -419,6 +469,38 @@ mod tests {
         assert_eq!(info.exit_code, 3);
     }
 
+    #[test]
+    fn file_transfer_reasons_render_actionable_fallbacks() {
+        let unsupported = serde_json::json!({ "reason": reason::FILE_INPUT_NOT_ACTIVATED });
+        let info = info_for_error(ErrorCode::Unsupported, Some(&unsupported));
+        assert_eq!(
+            info.summary,
+            "the upload trigger did not activate a file input"
+        );
+        assert!(info.hint.unwrap().contains("exact original local path"));
+
+        let control = serde_json::json!({ "reason": reason::FILE_INPUT_PROBE_FAILED });
+        let info = info_for_error(ErrorCode::Timeout, Some(&control));
+        assert!(
+            info.summary
+                .contains("transaction could not be established")
+        );
+        assert!(info.hint.unwrap().contains("do not retry"));
+
+        let download = serde_json::json!({ "reason": reason::DOWNLOAD_CAPTURE_FAILED });
+        let info = info_for_error(ErrorCode::CdpFailed, Some(&download));
+        assert!(info.summary.contains("download could not be attributed"));
+
+        let unknown = serde_json::json!({ "reason": reason::TRANSFER_OUTCOME_UNKNOWN });
+        let info = info_for_error(ErrorCode::ProtocolError, Some(&unknown));
+        assert!(info.summary.contains("outcome could not be confirmed"));
+        assert!(info.hint.unwrap().contains("do not retry"));
+
+        let timeout = serde_json::json!({ "reason": reason::TRANSFER_TIMEOUT });
+        let info = info_for_error(ErrorCode::Timeout, Some(&timeout));
+        assert!(info.summary.contains("timed out after browser dispatch"));
+    }
+
     #[test]
     fn ref_not_found_overrides_not_found_copy() {
         let data = serde_json::json!({ "reason": reason::REF_NOT_FOUND });
diff --git a/crates/bsk-cli/src/cli/upload.rs b/crates/bsk-cli/src/cli/upload.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7636453
--- /dev/null
+++ b/crates/bsk-cli/src/cli/upload.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,185 @@
+//! `bsk upload` — stage caller-readable files and attach them to a page.
+
+use std::fs::File;
+use std::io::Read;
+use std::path::{Path, PathBuf};
+use std::time::Duration;
+
+use anyhow::Context;
+use base64::Engine;
+use bsk_protocol::Method;
+use bsk_protocol::tools::{
+    TransferBeginParams, TransferBeginResult, TransferChunkParams, TransferChunkResult,
+    TransferIdParams, TransferReadyResult, TransferReleaseResult, UploadFile, UploadParams,
+    UploadResult,
+};
+use clap::Args;
+
+use crate::cli::ensure_daemon::ensure_daemon;
+use crate::cli::error::{CliError, Format};
+use crate::cli::interaction::split_target;
+use crate::cli::navigate::parse_timeout_ms;
+
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, Args)]
+pub struct UploadArgs {
+    /// Snapshot ref (`@e3`) or CSS selector for the file input / chooser trigger.
+    pub target: Option<String>,
+    #[arg(long = "ref")]
+    pub ref_: Option<String>,
+    #[arg(long = "selector")]
+    pub selector: Option<String>,
+    /// Local file to upload. Repeat for a multiple-file input.
+    #[arg(long = "file", required = true)]
+    pub files: Vec<PathBuf>,
+    #[arg(long)]
+    pub session: String,
+    #[arg(long = "tab-id")]
+    pub tab_id: Option<i64>,
+    #[arg(long, default_value = "2m", value_parser = parse_timeout_ms)]
+    pub timeout: u32,
+}
+
+pub fn dispatch(args: UploadArgs, format: Format) -> Result<(), CliError> {
+    if args.files.len() > crate::daemon::file_transfer::MAX_UPLOAD_FILES {
+        return Err(CliError::Local(anyhow::anyhow!(
+            "upload accepts at most {} files",
+            crate::daemon::file_transfer::MAX_UPLOAD_FILES
+        )));
+    }
+    let info = ensure_daemon().context("ensure daemon is running")?;
+    let (ref_, selector) = split_target(args.target, args.ref_, args.selector)?;
+    let mut staged = Vec::new();
+    for path in &args.files {
+        match stage_file(&info.sock_path, &args.session, path) {
+            Ok(file) => staged.push(file),
+            Err(err) => {
+                for (id, _) in &staged {
+                    let _ = release(&info.sock_path, id);
+                }
+                return Err(err);
+            }
+        }
+    }
+    let params = UploadParams {
+        session_id: args.session,
+        ref_,
+        selector,
+        tab_id: args.tab_id,
+        files: staged
+            .iter()
+            .map(|(id, name)| UploadFile {
+                transfer_id: id.clone(),
+                name: name.clone(),
+                staged_path: None,
+            })
+            .collect(),
+        timeout_ms: Some(args.timeout),
+    };
+    let result = crate::cli::business_rpc::call::<_, UploadResult>(
+        info.sock_path.clone(),
+        "upload",
+        Method::ToolUpload,
+        Some(params),
+        ipc_timeout(args.timeout),
+    );
+    // Once tool.upload is dispatched, staging ownership belongs to the
+    // session. A transport timeout cannot prove that Chrome did not attach
+    // the file, so releasing here could invalidate a late successful attach.
+    // Session teardown remains the single cleanup boundary after dispatch.
+    let reply = result?;
+    match format {
+        Format::Json => println!("{}", serde_json::to_string_pretty(&reply).unwrap()),
+        Format::Human => println!(
+            "upload ok tab={} files={}",
+            reply.tab_id,
+            reply.file_names.join(", ")
+        ),
+    }
+    Ok(())
+}
+
+fn stage_file(sock: &Path, session: &str, path: &PathBuf) -> Result<(String, String), CliError> {
+    let mut file = File::open(path)
+        .with_context(|| format!("open upload file {}", path.display()))
+        .map_err(CliError::Local)?;
+    let meta = file
+        .metadata()
+        .with_context(|| format!("read upload file metadata {}", path.display()))
+        .map_err(CliError::Local)?;
+    if !meta.is_file() {
+        return Err(CliError::Local(anyhow::anyhow!(
+            "upload source is not a regular file: {}",
+            path.display()
+        )));
+    }
+    let name = path
+        .file_name()
+        .and_then(|v| v.to_str())
+        .filter(|v| !v.is_empty())
+        .ok_or_else(|| CliError::Local(anyhow::anyhow!("upload file has no valid basename")))?
+        .to_string();
+    let begin: TransferBeginResult = crate::cli::business_rpc::call(
+        sock.to_path_buf(),
+        "transfer-begin",
+        Method::TransferBegin,
+        Some(TransferBeginParams {
+            session_id: session.to_string(),
+            name: name.clone(),
+            byte_size: meta.len(),
+        }),
+        Duration::from_secs(10),
+    )?;
+    let staged = (|| {
+        let mut offset = 0u64;
+        let mut buf = vec![0u8; begin.chunk_size as usize];
+        loop {
+            let n = file.read(&mut buf).map_err(|e| CliError::Local(e.into()))?;
+            if n == 0 {
+                break;
+            }
+            let reply: TransferChunkResult = crate::cli::business_rpc::call(
+                sock.to_path_buf(),
+                "transfer-chunk",
+                Method::TransferChunk,
+                Some(TransferChunkParams {
+                    transfer_id: begin.transfer_id.clone(),
+                    offset,
+                    data_base64: base64::engine::general_purpose::STANDARD.encode(&buf[..n]),
+                }),
+                Duration::from_secs(30),
+            )?;
+            offset = reply.next_offset;
+        }
+        let _: TransferReadyResult = crate::cli::business_rpc::call(
+            sock.to_path_buf(),
+            "transfer-finish",
+            Method::TransferFinish,
+            Some(TransferIdParams {
+                transfer_id: begin.transfer_id.clone(),
+            }),
+            Duration::from_secs(10),
+        )?;
+        Ok::<_, CliError>(())
+    })();
+    if let Err(err) = staged {
+        let _ = release(sock, &begin.transfer_id);
+        return Err(err);
+    }
+    Ok((begin.transfer_id, name))
+}
+
+fn release(sock: &Path, id: &str) -> Result<TransferReleaseResult, CliError> {
+    crate::cli::business_rpc::call(
+        sock.to_path_buf(),
+        "transfer-release",
+        Method::TransferRelease,
+        Some(TransferIdParams {
+            transfer_id: id.to_string(),
+        }),
+        Duration::from_secs(5),
+    )
+}
+
+fn ipc_timeout(timeout_ms: u32) -> Duration {
+    Duration::from_millis(u64::from(timeout_ms) + 5_000)
+}
diff --git a/crates/bsk-cli/src/daemon/file_transfer.rs b/crates/bsk-cli/src/daemon/file_transfer.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..397e30b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/crates/bsk-cli/src/daemon/file_transfer.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,728 @@
+//! Session-scoped, content-transparent staging for upload/download tools.
+//!
+//! The registry deliberately exposes no arbitrary-path operations. Upload
+//! bytes arrive from the invoking CLI in bounded chunks; browser downloads
+//! land in a daemon-minted directory and are read back by the invoking CLI.
+
+use std::collections::HashMap;
+use std::fs::{self, File, OpenOptions};
+use std::io::{Read, Seek, SeekFrom, Write};
+use std::path::{Component, Path, PathBuf};
+use std::sync::Mutex;
+
+use base64::Engine;
+use bsk_protocol::tools::{
+    TransferBeginParams, TransferBeginResult, TransferChunkParams, TransferChunkResult,
+    TransferIdParams, TransferReadyResult, TransferReleaseResult,
+};
+use bsk_protocol::{ErrorCode, RpcError};
+use uuid::Uuid;
+
+use super::paths;
+
+pub const TRANSFER_CHUNK_SIZE: u32 = 512 * 1024;
+pub const MAX_TRANSFER_BYTES: u64 = 512 * 1024 * 1024;
+pub const MAX_UPLOAD_FILES: usize = 20;
+
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, Copy, PartialEq, Eq)]
+enum Direction {
+    Upload,
+    Download,
+}
+
+#[derive(Debug)]
+struct Entry {
+    session_id: String,
+    direction: Direction,
+    path: PathBuf,
+    expected_size: Option<u64>,
+    written: u64,
+    ready: bool,
+}
+
+/// Browser download path after the daemon has verified that it belongs to
+/// the capability minted for this transfer. From this point onward the daemon
+/// owns cleanup on every error path; unvalidated arbitrary paths are never
+/// removed.
+#[derive(Debug)]
+struct ValidatedBrowserFile {
+    path: PathBuf,
+    parent: PathBuf,
+    cleanup_armed: bool,
+}
+
+impl ValidatedBrowserFile {
+    fn validate(reported_path: &Path, transfer_id: &str) -> Result<Self, RpcError> {
+        if !reported_path.is_absolute() {
+            return Err(permission(
+                "download path is outside its browser capability",
+            ));
+        }
+        let expected_parent = Path::new("BrowserSkill").join(transfer_id);
+        let parent = reported_path
+            .parent()
+            .ok_or_else(|| permission("download path has no parent directory"))?;
+        if !parent.ends_with(&expected_parent) {
+            return Err(permission(
+                "download escaped its browser capability directory",
+            ));
+        }
+        for path in [reported_path, parent] {
+            if fs::symlink_metadata(path)
+                .map_err(io_error)?
+                .file_type()
+                .is_symlink()
+            {
+                return Err(permission("download capability path contains a symlink"));
+            }
+        }
+        Ok(Self {
+            path: reported_path.to_path_buf(),
+            parent: parent.to_path_buf(),
+            cleanup_armed: true,
+        })
+    }
+
+    fn remove_source(mut self) -> Result<(), RpcError> {
+        remove_if_present(&self.path).map_err(io_error)?;
+        remove_dir_if_present(&self.parent).map_err(io_error)?;
+        self.cleanup_armed = false;
+        Ok(())
+    }
+}
+
+impl Drop for ValidatedBrowserFile {
+    fn drop(&mut self) {
+        if !self.cleanup_armed {
+            return;
+        }
+        let _ = remove_if_present(&self.path);
+        let _ = remove_dir_if_present(&self.parent);
+    }
+}
+
+#[derive(Debug)]
+pub struct DownloadStaging {
+    pub transfer_id: String,
+    pub browser_relative_dir: String,
+}
+
+#[derive(Debug)]
+pub struct TransferRegistry {
+    root: PathBuf,
+    initialized: Mutex<bool>,
+    entries: Mutex<HashMap<String, Entry>>,
+}
+
+impl TransferRegistry {
+    pub fn new() -> anyhow::Result<Self> {
+        Ok(Self {
+            root: paths::bsk_home()?.join("run").join("transfers"),
+            initialized: Mutex::new(false),
+            entries: Mutex::new(HashMap::new()),
+        })
+    }
+
+    #[cfg(test)]
+    fn at_root(root: PathBuf) -> anyhow::Result<Self> {
+        let registry = Self {
+            root,
+            initialized: Mutex::new(false),
+            entries: Mutex::new(HashMap::new()),
+        };
+        registry.ensure_root()?;
+        Ok(registry)
+    }
+
+    pub fn initialize(&self) -> anyhow::Result<()> {
+        self.ensure_root()
+    }
+
+    fn ensure_root(&self) -> anyhow::Result<()> {
+        let mut initialized = self.initialized.lock().unwrap();
+        if *initialized {
+            return Ok(());
+        }
+        if self.root.exists() {
+            // Transfers never survive a daemon; removing stale directories on
+            // startup gives crash cleanup without a second persistence model.
+            let _ = fs::remove_dir_all(&self.root);
+        }
+        fs::create_dir_all(&self.root)?;
+        #[cfg(unix)]
+        {
+            use std::os::unix::fs::PermissionsExt;
+            fs::set_permissions(&self.root, fs::Permissions::from_mode(0o700))?;
+        }
+        *initialized = true;
+        Ok(())
+    }
+
+    pub fn begin_upload(&self, p: TransferBeginParams) -> Result<TransferBeginResult, RpcError> {
+        self.ensure_root()
+            .map_err(|err| protocol_error(err.to_string()))?;
+        let basename = safe_upload_basename(&p.name)?;
+        if p.byte_size > MAX_TRANSFER_BYTES {
+            return Err(invalid(format!(
+                "file size {} exceeds transfer limit {}",
+                p.byte_size, MAX_TRANSFER_BYTES
+            )));
+        }
+        let mut entries = self.entries.lock().unwrap();
+        let session_bytes: u64 = entries
+            .values()
+            .filter(|entry| entry.session_id == p.session_id)
+            .map(|entry| entry.expected_size.unwrap_or(entry.written))
+            .sum();
+        if session_bytes.saturating_add(p.byte_size) > MAX_TRANSFER_BYTES {
+            return Err(invalid(format!(
+                "session transfer staging exceeds limit {}",
+                MAX_TRANSFER_BYTES
+            )));
+        }
+        let id = new_id();
+        let dir = self.root.join(&id);
+        fs::create_dir(&dir).map_err(io_error)?;
+        set_private_dir(&dir).map_err(io_error)?;
+        let path = dir.join(basename);
+        let file = OpenOptions::new()
+            .write(true)
+            .create_new(true)
+            .open(&path)
+            .map_err(io_error)?;
+        set_private_file(&file).map_err(io_error)?;
+        entries.insert(
+            id.clone(),
+            Entry {
+                session_id: p.session_id,
+                direction: Direction::Upload,
+                path,
+                expected_size: Some(p.byte_size),
+                written: 0,
+                ready: false,
+            },
+        );
+        Ok(TransferBeginResult {
+            transfer_id: id,
+            chunk_size: TRANSFER_CHUNK_SIZE,
+        })
+    }
+
+    pub fn write_chunk(&self, p: TransferChunkParams) -> Result<TransferChunkResult, RpcError> {
+        let bytes = base64::engine::general_purpose::STANDARD
+            .decode(p.data_base64)
+            .map_err(|e| invalid(format!("invalid transfer chunk: {e}")))?;
+        if bytes.len() > TRANSFER_CHUNK_SIZE as usize {
+            return Err(invalid("transfer chunk exceeds negotiated size"));
+        }
+        let mut entries = self.entries.lock().unwrap();
+        let entry = entries
+            .get_mut(&p.transfer_id)
+            .ok_or_else(|| not_found("transfer not found"))?;
+        if entry.direction != Direction::Upload || entry.ready {
+            return Err(invalid("transfer is not writable"));
+        }
+        if p.offset != entry.written {
+            return Err(invalid(format!(
+                "non-sequential transfer offset: expected {}, got {}",
+                entry.written, p.offset
+            )));
+        }
+        let next = entry.written.saturating_add(bytes.len() as u64);
+        if next > entry.expected_size.unwrap_or(MAX_TRANSFER_BYTES) {
+            return Err(invalid("transfer exceeds declared byte size"));
+        }
+        let mut file = OpenOptions::new()
+            .append(true)
+            .open(&entry.path)
+            .map_err(io_error)?;
+        file.write_all(&bytes).map_err(io_error)?;
+        entry.written = next;
+        Ok(TransferChunkResult {
+            next_offset: next,
+            eof: false,
+            data_base64: None,
+        })
+    }
+
+    pub fn finish_upload(&self, p: TransferIdParams) -> Result<TransferReadyResult, RpcError> {
+        let mut entries = self.entries.lock().unwrap();
+        let entry = entries
+            .get_mut(&p.transfer_id)
+            .ok_or_else(|| not_found("transfer not found"))?;
+        if entry.direction != Direction::Upload {
+            return Err(invalid("transfer is not an upload"));
+        }
+        if entry.written != entry.expected_size.unwrap_or(entry.written) {
+            return Err(invalid(format!(
+                "incomplete transfer: expected {} bytes, received {}",
+                entry.expected_size.unwrap_or(0),
+                entry.written
+            )));
+        }
+        entry.ready = true;
+        Ok(TransferReadyResult {
+            transfer_id: p.transfer_id,
+            byte_size: entry.written,
+        })
+    }
+
+    pub fn resolve_uploads(
+        &self,
+        session_id: &str,
+        ids: &[String],
+    ) -> Result<Vec<PathBuf>, RpcError> {
+        let entries = self.entries.lock().unwrap();
+        ids.iter()
+            .map(|id| {
+                let entry = entries
+                    .get(id)
+                    .ok_or_else(|| not_found("upload transfer not found"))?;
+                if entry.session_id != session_id
+                    || entry.direction != Direction::Upload
+                    || !entry.ready
+                {
+                    return Err(permission(
+                        "upload transfer is outside this session or not ready",
+                    ));
+                }
+                Ok(entry.path.clone())
+            })
+            .collect()
+    }
+
+    pub fn begin_download(&self, session_id: &str) -> Result<DownloadStaging, RpcError> {
+        self.ensure_root()
+            .map_err(|err| protocol_error(err.to_string()))?;
+        let id = new_id();
+        let dir = self.root.join(&id);
+        fs::create_dir(&dir).map_err(io_error)?;
+        set_private_dir(&dir).map_err(io_error)?;
+        self.entries.lock().unwrap().insert(
+            id.clone(),
+            Entry {
+                session_id: session_id.to_string(),
+                direction: Direction::Download,
+                path: dir.clone(),
+                expected_size: None,
+                written: 0,
+                ready: false,
+            },
+        );
+        Ok(DownloadStaging {
+            browser_relative_dir: format!("BrowserSkill/{id}"),
+            transfer_id: id,
+        })
+    }
+
+    pub fn import_download(&self, id: &str, reported_path: &Path) -> Result<u64, RpcError> {
+        let mut entries = self.entries.lock().unwrap();
+        let entry = entries
+            .get_mut(id)
+            .ok_or_else(|| not_found("download transfer not found"))?;
+        if entry.direction != Direction::Download {
+            return Err(permission("transfer is not a download capability"));
+        }
+        let browser_file = ValidatedBrowserFile::validate(reported_path, id)?;
+        let canonical = browser_file.path.canonicalize().map_err(io_error)?;
+        let meta = fs::metadata(&canonical).map_err(io_error)?;
+        if !meta.is_file() || meta.len() > MAX_TRANSFER_BYTES {
+            return Err(invalid(
+                "download is not a regular file or exceeds the transfer limit",
+            ));
+        }
+
+        let destination = entry.path.join("payload");
+        let source = File::open(&canonical).map_err(io_error)?;
+        let mut destination_file = OpenOptions::new()
+            .write(true)
+            .create_new(true)
+            .open(&destination)
+            .map_err(io_error)?;
+        let copied = std::io::copy(
+            &mut source.take(MAX_TRANSFER_BYTES.saturating_add(1)),
+            &mut destination_file,
+        )
+        .map_err(io_error)?;
+        if copied > MAX_TRANSFER_BYTES {
+            let _ = fs::remove_file(&destination);
+            return Err(invalid("download exceeds the transfer limit"));
+        }
+        entry.path = destination;
+        entry.written = copied;
+        entry.expected_size = Some(copied);
+        entry.ready = true;
+        browser_file.remove_source()?;
+        Ok(copied)
+    }
+
+    pub fn read_chunk(&self, p: TransferChunkParams) -> Result<TransferChunkResult, RpcError> {
+        let entries = self.entries.lock().unwrap();
+        let entry = entries
+            .get(&p.transfer_id)
+            .ok_or_else(|| not_found("transfer not found"))?;
+        if entry.direction != Direction::Download || !entry.ready {
+            return Err(invalid("transfer is not readable"));
+        }
+        if p.offset > entry.written {
+            return Err(invalid("read offset is beyond transfer length"));
+        }
+        let mut file = File::open(&entry.path).map_err(io_error)?;
+        file.seek(SeekFrom::Start(p.offset)).map_err(io_error)?;
+        let mut buf = vec![0u8; TRANSFER_CHUNK_SIZE as usize];
+        let count = file.read(&mut buf).map_err(io_error)?;
+        buf.truncate(count);
+        let next = p.offset + count as u64;
+        Ok(TransferChunkResult {
+            next_offset: next,
+            eof: next >= entry.written,
+            data_base64: Some(base64::engine::general_purpose::STANDARD.encode(buf)),
+        })
+    }
+
+    pub fn release(&self, p: TransferIdParams) -> TransferReleaseResult {
+        let entry = self.entries.lock().unwrap().remove(&p.transfer_id);
+        if let Some(entry) = entry {
+            let dir = if entry.path.is_dir() {
+                entry.path
+            } else {
+                entry.path.parent().unwrap_or(&self.root).to_path_buf()
+            };
+            let _ = fs::remove_dir_all(dir);
+            TransferReleaseResult { released: true }
+        } else {
+            TransferReleaseResult { released: false }
+        }
+    }
+
+    pub fn release_session(&self, session_id: &str) {
+        let ids: Vec<String> = self
+            .entries
+            .lock()
+            .unwrap()
+            .iter()
+            .filter(|(_, entry)| entry.session_id == session_id)
+            .map(|(id, _)| id.clone())
+            .collect();
+        for id in ids {
+            self.release(TransferIdParams { transfer_id: id });
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+fn new_id() -> String {
+    format!("tr_{}", Uuid::new_v4().simple())
+}
+
+fn set_private_dir(path: &Path) -> std::io::Result<()> {
+    #[cfg(unix)]
+    {
+        use std::os::unix::fs::PermissionsExt;
+        fs::set_permissions(path, fs::Permissions::from_mode(0o700))?;
+    }
+    Ok(())
+}
+
+fn set_private_file(file: &File) -> std::io::Result<()> {
+    #[cfg(unix)]
+    {
+        use std::os::unix::fs::PermissionsExt;
+        file.set_permissions(fs::Permissions::from_mode(0o600))?;
+    }
+    Ok(())
+}
+
+fn remove_if_present(path: &Path) -> std::io::Result<()> {
+    match fs::remove_file(path) {
+        Ok(()) => Ok(()),
+        Err(err) if err.kind() == std::io::ErrorKind::NotFound => Ok(()),
+        Err(err) => Err(err),
+    }
+}
+
+fn remove_dir_if_present(path: &Path) -> std::io::Result<()> {
+    match fs::remove_dir(path) {
+        Ok(()) => Ok(()),
+        Err(err) if err.kind() == std::io::ErrorKind::NotFound => Ok(()),
+        Err(err) => Err(err),
+    }
+}
+
+fn safe_upload_basename(name: &str) -> Result<&str, RpcError> {
+    if name.is_empty() || name.contains(['/', '\\', '\0']) {
+        return Err(invalid("upload name must be a safe basename"));
+    }
+    let mut components = Path::new(name).components();
+    match (components.next(), components.next()) {
+        (Some(Component::Normal(_)), None) => Ok(name),
+        _ => Err(invalid("upload name must be a safe basename")),
+    }
+}
+
+fn invalid(message: impl Into<String>) -> RpcError {
+    RpcError {
+        code: ErrorCode::InvalidParams,
+        message: message.into(),
+        data: None,
+    }
+}
+fn not_found(message: impl Into<String>) -> RpcError {
+    RpcError {
+        code: ErrorCode::NotFound,
+        message: message.into(),
+        data: None,
+    }
+}
+fn permission(message: impl Into<String>) -> RpcError {
+    RpcError {
+        code: ErrorCode::PermissionDenied,
+        message: message.into(),
+        data: None,
+    }
+}
+fn io_error(err: std::io::Error) -> RpcError {
+    RpcError {
+        code: ErrorCode::ProtocolError,
+        message: err.to_string(),
+        data: None,
+    }
+}
+
+fn protocol_error(message: impl Into<String>) -> RpcError {
+    RpcError {
+        code: ErrorCode::ProtocolError,
+        message: message.into(),
+        data: None,
+    }
+}
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod tests {
+    use super::*;
+
+    fn registry() -> (tempfile::TempDir, TransferRegistry) {
+        let temp = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
+        let registry = TransferRegistry::at_root(temp.path().join("transfers")).unwrap();
+        (temp, registry)
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn upload_is_not_resolvable_until_complete_or_from_another_session() {
+        let (_temp, registry) = registry();
+        let begin = registry
+            .begin_upload(TransferBeginParams {
+                session_id: "s1".into(),
+                name: "image.png".into(),
+                byte_size: 3,
+            })
+            .unwrap();
+        assert!(
+            registry
+                .resolve_uploads("s1", std::slice::from_ref(&begin.transfer_id))
+                .is_err()
+        );
+        registry
+            .write_chunk(TransferChunkParams {
+                transfer_id: begin.transfer_id.clone(),
+                offset: 0,
+                data_base64: base64::engine::general_purpose::STANDARD.encode(b"abc"),
+            })
+            .unwrap();
+        registry
+            .finish_upload(TransferIdParams {
+                transfer_id: begin.transfer_id.clone(),
+            })
+            .unwrap();
+        assert!(
+            registry
+                .resolve_uploads("s2", std::slice::from_ref(&begin.transfer_id))
+                .is_err()
+        );
+        let [path] = registry
+            .resolve_uploads("s1", &[begin.transfer_id])
+            .unwrap()
+            .try_into()
+            .unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(path.file_name().unwrap(), "image.png");
+        assert_eq!(fs::read(path).unwrap(), b"abc");
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn upload_name_must_be_one_safe_path_component() {
+        let (_temp, registry) = registry();
+        for name in ["", ".", "..", "../secret", "folder/file", "folder\\file"] {
+            let result = registry.begin_upload(TransferBeginParams {
+                session_id: "s1".into(),
+                name: name.into(),
+                byte_size: 0,
+            });
+            assert!(result.is_err(), "accepted unsafe upload name");
+        }
+        assert!(registry.entries.lock().unwrap().is_empty());
+        assert!(fs::read_dir(&registry.root).unwrap().next().is_none());
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn same_upload_names_are_isolated_by_transfer_directory() {
+        let (_temp, registry) = registry();
+        let first = registry
+            .begin_upload(TransferBeginParams {
+                session_id: "s1".into(),
+                name: "image.png".into(),
+                byte_size: 0,
+            })
+            .unwrap();
+        let second = registry
+            .begin_upload(TransferBeginParams {
+                session_id: "s1".into(),
+                name: "image.png".into(),
+                byte_size: 0,
+            })
+            .unwrap();
+        let entries = registry.entries.lock().unwrap();
+        let first_path = &entries[&first.transfer_id].path;
+        let second_path = &entries[&second.transfer_id].path;
+        assert_ne!(first_path.parent(), second_path.parent());
+        assert_eq!(first_path.file_name().unwrap(), "image.png");
+        assert_eq!(second_path.file_name().unwrap(), "image.png");
+    }
+
+    #[cfg(unix)]
+    #[test]
+    fn upload_staging_is_private() {
+        use std::os::unix::fs::PermissionsExt;
+
+        let (_temp, registry) = registry();
+        let begin = registry
+            .begin_upload(TransferBeginParams {
+                session_id: "s1".into(),
+                name: "private.png".into(),
+                byte_size: 0,
+            })
+            .unwrap();
+        let entries = registry.entries.lock().unwrap();
+        let path = &entries[&begin.transfer_id].path;
+        assert_eq!(
+            fs::metadata(path.parent().unwrap())
+                .unwrap()
+                .permissions()
+                .mode()
+                & 0o777,
+            0o700
+        );
+        assert_eq!(
+            fs::metadata(path).unwrap().permissions().mode() & 0o777,
+            0o600
+        );
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn download_must_import_from_its_browser_capability_directory() {
+        let (temp, registry) = registry();
+        let staging = registry.begin_download("s1").unwrap();
+        let outside = temp.path().join("outside.bin");
+        fs::write(&outside, b"secret").unwrap();
+        assert!(
+            registry
+                .import_download(&staging.transfer_id, &outside)
+                .is_err()
+        );
+        assert_eq!(fs::read(&outside).unwrap(), b"secret");
+
+        let browser_dir = temp
+            .path()
+            .join("Downloads")
+            .join("BrowserSkill")
+            .join(&staging.transfer_id);
+        fs::create_dir_all(&browser_dir).unwrap();
+        let inside = browser_dir.join("result.bin");
+        fs::write(&inside, b"result").unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(
+            registry
+                .import_download(&staging.transfer_id, &inside)
+                .unwrap(),
+            6
+        );
+        assert!(!inside.exists());
+        let chunk = registry
+            .read_chunk(TransferChunkParams {
+                transfer_id: staging.transfer_id,
+                offset: 0,
+                data_base64: String::new(),
+            })
+            .unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(
+            base64::engine::general_purpose::STANDARD
+                .decode(chunk.data_base64.unwrap())
+                .unwrap(),
+            b"result"
+        );
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn validated_oversized_browser_download_is_removed_on_rejection() {
+        let (temp, registry) = registry();
+        let staging = registry.begin_download("s1").unwrap();
+        let browser_dir = temp
+            .path()
+            .join("Downloads")
+            .join("BrowserSkill")
+            .join(&staging.transfer_id);
+        fs::create_dir_all(&browser_dir).unwrap();
+        let inside = browser_dir.join("oversized.bin");
+        File::create(&inside)
+            .unwrap()
+            .set_len(MAX_TRANSFER_BYTES + 1)
+            .unwrap();
+
+        assert!(
+            registry
+                .import_download(&staging.transfer_id, &inside)
+                .is_err()
+        );
+        assert!(!inside.exists());
+        assert!(!browser_dir.exists());
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn releasing_a_session_removes_all_staging() {
+        let (_temp, registry) = registry();
+        let first = registry.begin_download("s1").unwrap();
+        let second = registry.begin_download("s2").unwrap();
+        let first_directory = registry.root.join(&first.transfer_id);
+        let second_directory = registry.root.join(&second.transfer_id);
+        registry.release_session("s1");
+        assert!(!first_directory.exists());
+        assert!(second_directory.exists());
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn upload_staging_is_bounded_across_a_session() {
+        let (_temp, registry) = registry();
+        registry
+            .begin_upload(TransferBeginParams {
+                session_id: "s1".into(),
+                name: "large.bin".into(),
+                byte_size: MAX_TRANSFER_BYTES,
+            })
+            .unwrap();
+        assert!(
+            registry
+                .begin_upload(TransferBeginParams {
+                    session_id: "s1".into(),
+                    name: "one-more-byte.bin".into(),
+                    byte_size: 1,
+                })
+                .is_err()
+        );
+        assert!(
+            registry
+                .begin_upload(TransferBeginParams {
+                    session_id: "s2".into(),
+                    name: "other-session.bin".into(),
+                    byte_size: 1,
+                })
+                .is_ok()
+        );
+    }
+}
diff --git a/crates/bsk-cli/src/daemon/ipc.rs b/crates/bsk-cli/src/daemon/ipc.rs
index 38d0046..186cade 100644
--- a/crates/bsk-cli/src/daemon/ipc.rs
+++ b/crates/bsk-cli/src/daemon/ipc.rs
@@ -27,7 +27,8 @@ use bsk_protocol::system::{
     VersionSkewEntry,
 };
 use bsk_protocol::tools::{
-    HelpOutcome, RequestHelpResult, ReturnFailure, WaitMsParams, WaitMsResult,
+    DownloadParams, DownloadResult, HelpOutcome, RequestHelpResult, ReturnFailure,
+    TransferBeginParams, TransferIdParams, UploadParams, WaitMsParams, WaitMsResult,
 };
 use bsk_protocol::{
     CancelParams, CancelResult, ErrorCode, Method, PingResult, ResponseBody, RpcError, RpcId,
@@ -61,6 +62,10 @@ pub type RpcHandler = Arc<
 >;
 
 const DEFAULT_RPC_TIMEOUT: Duration = Duration::from_secs(15);
+// The upload transaction owns its operation deadline and may need a bounded
+// cleanup before it can return a useful structured error. Keep only that
+// transport alive slightly longer so it does not replace the result.
+const EXTENSION_RESPONSE_GRACE: Duration = Duration::from_secs(2);
 /// Upper bound on `wait_for_browser_ms` accepted over IPC.
 const MAX_BROWSER_WAIT: Duration = Duration::from_secs(60);
 // `session.stop` fast-fails while another tool is active; this budget
@@ -223,6 +228,11 @@ pub fn full_handler(status: DaemonStatus, state: Arc<DaemonState>) -> RpcHandler
                     Ok(v) => ResponseBody::Ok(v),
                     Err(e) => ResponseBody::Err(e),
                 },
+                Method::TransferBegin => handle_transfer_begin(&state, params),
+                Method::TransferChunk => handle_transfer_chunk(&state, params),
+                Method::TransferFinish => handle_transfer_finish(&state, params),
+                Method::TransferRead => handle_transfer_read(&state, params),
+                Method::TransferRelease => handle_transfer_release(&state, params),
                 Method::ToolTabList
                 | Method::ToolTabCreate
                 | Method::ToolTabClose
@@ -246,6 +256,8 @@ pub fn full_handler(status: DaemonStatus, state: Arc<DaemonState>) -> RpcHandler
                 | Method::ToolFill
                 | Method::ToolPress
                 | Method::ToolSelect
+                | Method::ToolUpload
+                | Method::ToolDownload
                 | Method::ToolEvaluate
                 | Method::ToolWaitForNavigation
                 | Method::ToolRequestHelp
@@ -324,7 +336,7 @@ async fn handle_tool_dispatch(
             data: None,
         });
     }
-    let timeout = match tool_dispatch_timeout(&params) {
+    let timeout = match tool_dispatch_transport_timeout(&method, &params) {
         Ok(timeout) => timeout,
         Err(err) => return ResponseBody::Err(err),
     };
@@ -338,24 +350,180 @@ async fn handle_tool_dispatch(
             });
         }
     };
+    let mut params = params;
+    let mut download_transfer_id: Option<String> = None;
+    if method == Method::ToolUpload {
+        let mut upload: UploadParams = match serde_json::from_value(params) {
+            Ok(v) => v,
+            Err(err) => return ResponseBody::Err(invalid_params(err.to_string())),
+        };
+        if upload.files.is_empty() || upload.files.len() > super::file_transfer::MAX_UPLOAD_FILES {
+            return ResponseBody::Err(invalid_params(format!(
+                "upload requires 1..={} files",
+                super::file_transfer::MAX_UPLOAD_FILES
+            )));
+        }
+        let ids: Vec<String> = upload.files.iter().map(|f| f.transfer_id.clone()).collect();
+        let paths = match state.transfers.resolve_uploads(&session_id.0, &ids) {
+            Ok(v) => v,
+            Err(err) => return ResponseBody::Err(err),
+        };
+        for (file, path) in upload.files.iter_mut().zip(paths) {
+            file.staged_path = Some(path.to_string_lossy().into_owned());
+        }
+        params = serde_json::to_value(upload).unwrap_or(Value::Null);
+    } else if method == Method::ToolDownload {
+        let mut download: DownloadParams = match serde_json::from_value(params) {
+            Ok(v) => v,
+            Err(err) => return ResponseBody::Err(invalid_params(err.to_string())),
+        };
+        let staging = match state.transfers.begin_download(&session_id.0) {
+            Ok(v) => v,
+            Err(err) => return ResponseBody::Err(err),
+        };
+        download.browser_relative_dir = Some(staging.browser_relative_dir);
+        download.max_byte_size = Some(super::file_transfer::MAX_TRANSFER_BYTES);
+        download_transfer_id = Some(staging.transfer_id);
+        params = serde_json::to_value(download).unwrap_or(Value::Null);
+    }
     let entry = inflight_guard.entry();
     // `record_stop` must reach the extension while `record_await` holds the
     // serial busy lock — finishing the recording unblocks await.
     let outcome = if method == Method::ToolRecordStop {
         state
             .tool_queues
-            .dispatch_unlocked(&session_id, method, params, timeout, Some(entry))
+            .dispatch_unlocked(&session_id, method.clone(), params, timeout, Some(entry))
             .await
     } else {
         state
             .tool_queues
-            .dispatch(&session_id, method, params, timeout, Some(entry))
+            .dispatch(&session_id, method.clone(), params, timeout, Some(entry))
             .await
     };
     drop(inflight_guard);
     match outcome {
+        Ok(v) if method == Method::ToolDownload => {
+            let id = download_transfer_id.expect("download transfer allocated");
+            let mut result: DownloadResult = match serde_json::from_value(v) {
+                Ok(v) => v,
+                Err(err) => {
+                    state
+                        .transfers
+                        .release(TransferIdParams { transfer_id: id });
+                    return ResponseBody::Err(RpcError {
+                        code: ErrorCode::ProtocolError,
+                        message: format!("invalid tool.download result: {err}"),
+                        data: None,
+                    });
+                }
+            };
+            let Some(path) = result.browser_path.take() else {
+                state
+                    .transfers
+                    .release(TransferIdParams { transfer_id: id });
+                return ResponseBody::Err(RpcError {
+                    code: ErrorCode::ProtocolError,
+                    message: "tool.download returned no browser_path".into(),
+                    data: None,
+                });
+            };
+            match state
+                .transfers
+                .import_download(&id, std::path::Path::new(&path))
+            {
+                Ok(size) => {
+                    result.byte_size = size;
+                    result.transfer_id = Some(id);
+                    ResponseBody::Ok(serde_json::to_value(result).unwrap_or(Value::Null))
+                }
+                Err(err) => {
+                    state
+                        .transfers
+                        .release(TransferIdParams { transfer_id: id });
+                    ResponseBody::Err(err)
+                }
+            }
+        }
         Ok(v) => ResponseBody::Ok(v),
-        Err(err) => ResponseBody::Err(err.into_rpc()),
+        Err(err) => {
+            if let Some(id) = download_transfer_id {
+                state
+                    .transfers
+                    .release(TransferIdParams { transfer_id: id });
+            }
+            ResponseBody::Err(err.into_rpc())
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+fn handle_transfer_begin(state: &Arc<DaemonState>, params: Value) -> ResponseBody {
+    let p: TransferBeginParams = match serde_json::from_value(params) {
+        Ok(v) => v,
+        Err(err) => return ResponseBody::Err(invalid_params(err.to_string())),
+    };
+    if state
+        .sessions
+        .get(&SessionId(p.session_id.clone()))
+        .is_none()
+    {
+        return ResponseBody::Err(RpcError {
+            code: ErrorCode::NotFound,
+            message: format!("session {} unknown", p.session_id),
+            data: None,
+        });
+    }
+    match state.transfers.begin_upload(p) {
+        Ok(v) => ResponseBody::Ok(serde_json::to_value(v).unwrap_or(Value::Null)),
+        Err(err) => ResponseBody::Err(err),
+    }
+}
+
+fn handle_transfer_chunk(state: &Arc<DaemonState>, params: Value) -> ResponseBody {
+    let p = match serde_json::from_value(params) {
+        Ok(v) => v,
+        Err(err) => return ResponseBody::Err(invalid_params(err.to_string())),
+    };
+    match state.transfers.write_chunk(p) {
+        Ok(v) => ResponseBody::Ok(serde_json::to_value(v).unwrap_or(Value::Null)),
+        Err(err) => ResponseBody::Err(err),
+    }
+}
+
+fn handle_transfer_finish(state: &Arc<DaemonState>, params: Value) -> ResponseBody {
+    let p = match serde_json::from_value(params) {
+        Ok(v) => v,
+        Err(err) => return ResponseBody::Err(invalid_params(err.to_string())),
+    };
+    match state.transfers.finish_upload(p) {
+        Ok(v) => ResponseBody::Ok(serde_json::to_value(v).unwrap_or(Value::Null)),
+        Err(err) => ResponseBody::Err(err),
+    }
+}
+
+fn handle_transfer_read(state: &Arc<DaemonState>, params: Value) -> ResponseBody {
+    let p = match serde_json::from_value(params) {
+        Ok(v) => v,
+        Err(err) => return ResponseBody::Err(invalid_params(err.to_string())),
+    };
+    match state.transfers.read_chunk(p) {
+        Ok(v) => ResponseBody::Ok(serde_json::to_value(v).unwrap_or(Value::Null)),
+        Err(err) => ResponseBody::Err(err),
+    }
+}
+
+fn handle_transfer_release(state: &Arc<DaemonState>, params: Value) -> ResponseBody {
+    let p: TransferIdParams = match serde_json::from_value(params) {
+        Ok(v) => v,
+        Err(err) => return ResponseBody::Err(invalid_params(err.to_string())),
+    };
+    ResponseBody::Ok(serde_json::to_value(state.transfers.release(p)).unwrap_or(Value::Null))
+}
+
+fn invalid_params(message: impl Into<String>) -> RpcError {
+    RpcError {
+        code: ErrorCode::InvalidParams,
+        message: message.into(),
+        data: None,
     }
 }
 
@@ -533,6 +701,16 @@ fn tool_dispatch_timeout(params: &Value) -> Result<Duration, RpcError> {
     Ok(Duration::from_millis(u64::from(ms)))
 }
 
+fn tool_dispatch_transport_timeout(method: &Method, params: &Value) -> Result<Duration, RpcError> {
+    tool_dispatch_timeout(params).map(|timeout| {
+        if matches!(method, Method::ToolUpload | Method::ToolDownload) {
+            timeout.saturating_add(EXTENSION_RESPONSE_GRACE)
+        } else {
+            timeout
+        }
+    })
+}
+
 // Local CLI-facing shapes. Intentionally distinct from
 // `bsk_protocol::tools::SessionStart*` (which describes the WS-facing
 // `tool.session_*` round-trip with the extension) so the two sides can
@@ -798,6 +976,7 @@ async fn handle_session_stop(
     .await
     {
         Ok(stop) => {
+            state.transfers.release_session(&session_id.0);
             let result = CliSessionStopResult {
                 stopped: vec![session_id.0],
                 failed: Vec::new(),
@@ -897,6 +1076,7 @@ async fn handle_session_stop_all(
         .await
         {
             Ok(stop) => {
+                state.transfers.release_session(&id.0);
                 stopped.push(id.0);
                 returned_tab_ids.extend(stop.returned_tab_ids);
                 return_failures.extend(stop.return_failures);
@@ -1329,6 +1509,30 @@ mod tests {
         assert_eq!(got, std::time::Duration::from_millis(300_000));
     }
 
+    #[test]
+    fn extension_transport_outlives_the_operation_deadline() {
+        let params = serde_json::json!({
+            "session_id": "abcd",
+            "timeout_ms": 60_000,
+        });
+        let dispatch_timeout =
+            tool_dispatch_transport_timeout(&Method::ToolUpload, &params).unwrap();
+
+        assert_eq!(dispatch_timeout, Duration::from_secs(62));
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn extension_response_grace_does_not_change_other_tools() {
+        let params = serde_json::json!({
+            "session_id": "abcd",
+            "timeout_ms": 60_000,
+        });
+        let dispatch_timeout =
+            tool_dispatch_transport_timeout(&Method::ToolClick, &params).unwrap();
+
+        assert_eq!(dispatch_timeout, Duration::from_secs(60));
+    }
+
     #[test]
     fn tool_dispatch_timeout_rejects_zero_timeout_ms() {
         let params = serde_json::json!({
diff --git a/crates/bsk-cli/src/daemon/mod.rs b/crates/bsk-cli/src/daemon/mod.rs
index c639f73..3196062 100644
--- a/crates/bsk-cli/src/daemon/mod.rs
+++ b/crates/bsk-cli/src/daemon/mod.rs
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
 pub mod abort;
 pub mod browsers;
 mod cancel_forward;
+pub mod file_transfer;
 pub mod inflight;
 pub mod info;
 pub mod ipc;
diff --git a/crates/bsk-cli/src/daemon/queue.rs b/crates/bsk-cli/src/daemon/queue.rs
index 05f09e8..6b7366a 100644
--- a/crates/bsk-cli/src/daemon/queue.rs
+++ b/crates/bsk-cli/src/daemon/queue.rs
@@ -438,6 +438,7 @@ async fn dispatch_with_sender(
     lifecycle_cancel: Option<AbortToken>,
     cancel_cleanup_timeout: Duration,
 ) -> Result<Value, DispatchError> {
+    let effect_aware_transfer = is_effect_aware_transfer(&method);
     let (respond_tx, respond_rx) = oneshot::channel();
     let job = ToolJob {
         method,
@@ -474,15 +475,21 @@ async fn dispatch_with_sender(
             mpsc::error::TrySendError::Closed(_) => DispatchError::QueueClosed,
         });
     }
-    let mut response_timeout = timeout.saturating_add(Duration::from_secs(1));
-    if lifecycle_cancellable {
-        // A lifecycle cancel can arrive at the original RPC deadline and
-        // intentionally keeps the worker alive while extension cleanup
-        // settles. Do not let this outer waiter abandon that reconciliation
-        // early, which could reopen a daemon session whose window is gone.
-        response_timeout = response_timeout.saturating_add(cancel_cleanup_timeout);
-    }
-    let waited = tokio::time::timeout(response_timeout, respond_rx).await;
+    // Lifecycle teardown and effect-aware transfers both keep the worker busy
+    // for bounded compensation after their original deadline. Keep the outer
+    // waiter alive for the same grace period so it cannot abandon reconciliation.
+    let response_grace = if lifecycle_cancellable || effect_aware_transfer {
+        cancel_cleanup_timeout
+    } else {
+        Duration::ZERO
+    };
+    let waited = tokio::time::timeout(
+        timeout
+            .saturating_add(response_grace)
+            .saturating_add(Duration::from_secs(1)),
+        respond_rx,
+    )
+    .await;
     match waited {
         Ok(Ok(Ok(v))) => Ok(v),
         Ok(Ok(Err(rpc))) => Err(DispatchError::Rpc(rpc)),
@@ -636,44 +643,85 @@ async fn forward_one(
         .lifecycle_cancel
         .as_ref()
         .map(|_| &forward_lifecycle_cancel as &(dyn Fn() + Sync));
+    let send_deadline_cancel = || {
+        client
+            .sink
+            .send(Frame::Request(RequestFrame {
+                id: format!("deadline-cancel-{rpc_id}"),
+                method: Method::Cancel,
+                params: Some(serde_json::json!({ "rpc_id": rpc_id })),
+            }))
+            .is_ok()
+    };
+    let deadline_cancel: Option<&(dyn Fn() -> bool + Sync)> =
+        is_effect_aware_transfer(&job.method).then_some(&send_deadline_cancel);
     let waited = await_with_optional_cancel(
         job.timeout,
         job.cancel_cleanup_timeout,
         waiter,
         cancel_token.as_ref(),
         on_abort,
+        deadline_cancel,
     )
     .await;
     let response = match waited {
         WaitOutcome::Response(resp) => resp,
         WaitOutcome::CancelledAfterResponse(resp) => {
             if job.method == Method::ToolSessionStop
-                && let ResponseBody::Ok(value) = resp.body
+                && let ResponseBody::Ok(value) = &resp.body
             {
                 // Teardown crossed its final irreversible boundary before
                 // the cancel landed. Commit the real extension result so the
                 // daemon does not retain a session whose window is gone.
-                return Ok(value);
+                return Ok(value.clone());
             }
-            // Cancellation wins the external verdict, but only after the
-            // extension's original RPC has settled. Preserve any non-cancel
-            // error so compensation failures remain explicit instead of
-            // being hidden behind a generic cancelled result.
-            if let ResponseBody::Err(err) = resp.body
-                && !matches!(err.code, ErrorCode::Cancelled | ErrorCode::UserAborted)
-            {
-                return Err(err);
+            // File transfer commits are irreversible. A late cancel cannot
+            // overwrite a confirmed success, and an unknown transfer effect
+            // must remain explicit so callers do not retry or release upload
+            // staging as though nothing happened.
+            if is_effect_aware_transfer(&job.method) {
+                match &resp.body {
+                    ResponseBody::Ok(_) => resp,
+                    ResponseBody::Err(err)
+                        if transfer_effect(err) == Some("unknown")
+                            || transfer_effect(err) == Some("committed") =>
+                    {
+                        return Err(err.clone());
+                    }
+                    ResponseBody::Err(err)
+                        if !matches!(err.code, ErrorCode::Cancelled | ErrorCode::UserAborted) =>
+                    {
+                        return Err(err.clone());
+                    }
+                    ResponseBody::Err(_) => {
+                        return Err(cancelled_error(
+                            job.inflight.as_deref(),
+                            "tool dispatch cancelled after extension cleanup",
+                        ));
+                    }
+                }
+            } else {
+                // For ordinary tools cancellation keeps the existing verdict,
+                // while non-cancel errors still expose compensation failures.
+                if let ResponseBody::Err(err) = resp.body
+                    && !matches!(err.code, ErrorCode::Cancelled | ErrorCode::UserAborted)
+                {
+                    return Err(err);
+                }
+                return Err(cancelled_error(
+                    job.inflight.as_deref(),
+                    "tool dispatch cancelled after extension cleanup",
+                ));
             }
-            return Err(cancelled_error(
-                job.inflight.as_deref(),
-                "tool dispatch cancelled after extension cleanup",
-            ));
         }
         WaitOutcome::TimedOutAfterResponse(resp) => match resp.body {
-            ResponseBody::Ok(value) if job.method == Method::ToolSessionStop => {
+            ResponseBody::Ok(value)
+                if job.method == Method::ToolSessionStop
+                    || is_effect_aware_transfer(&job.method) =>
+            {
                 // The close crossed its irreversible boundary during the
-                // timeout cleanup grace. Reconcile daemon state instead of
-                // reopening a session whose window is already gone.
+                // timeout cleanup grace, or the transfer committed before its
+                // deadline cancel settled. Preserve the irreversible result.
                 return Ok(value);
             }
             ResponseBody::Err(err)
@@ -681,6 +729,9 @@ async fn forward_one(
             {
                 return Err(err);
             }
+            ResponseBody::Err(err) if is_effect_aware_transfer(&job.method) => {
+                return Err(timed_out_transfer_error(&err));
+            }
             _ => {
                 return Err(RpcError {
                     code: ErrorCode::Timeout,
@@ -691,6 +742,14 @@ async fn forward_one(
         },
         WaitOutcome::CleanupTimeout => {
             client.pending.lock().unwrap().cancel(&rpc_id);
+            if is_effect_aware_transfer(&job.method) {
+                return Err(unknown_transfer_error(
+                    ErrorCode::Timeout,
+                    "cancelled file transfer did not confirm its outcome before cleanup timed out",
+                    "cleanup",
+                    true,
+                ));
+            }
             return Err(RpcError {
                 code: ErrorCode::Timeout,
                 message: format!(
@@ -700,8 +759,25 @@ async fn forward_one(
                 data: Some(serde_json::json!({ "reason": "cancel_cleanup_timeout" })),
             });
         }
+        WaitOutcome::TimeoutCleanupFailed => {
+            client.pending.lock().unwrap().cancel(&rpc_id);
+            return Err(unknown_transfer_error(
+                ErrorCode::Timeout,
+                "file transfer timed out and cleanup could not be confirmed",
+                "cleanup",
+                true,
+            ));
+        }
         WaitOutcome::WaiterClosed => {
             client.pending.lock().unwrap().cancel(&rpc_id);
+            if is_effect_aware_transfer(&job.method) {
+                return Err(unknown_transfer_error(
+                    ErrorCode::ProtocolError,
+                    "file transfer transport closed after dispatch; outcome is unknown",
+                    "transport",
+                    false,
+                ));
+            }
             return Err(RpcError {
                 code: ErrorCode::ProtocolError,
                 message: "transport closed mid-call".into(),
@@ -710,6 +786,14 @@ async fn forward_one(
         }
         WaitOutcome::Timeout => {
             client.pending.lock().unwrap().cancel(&rpc_id);
+            if is_effect_aware_transfer(&job.method) {
+                return Err(unknown_transfer_error(
+                    ErrorCode::Timeout,
+                    "file transfer timed out after dispatch; outcome is unknown",
+                    "transport",
+                    false,
+                ));
+            }
             return Err(RpcError {
                 code: ErrorCode::Timeout,
                 message: format!("tool RPC timed out after {:?}", job.timeout),
@@ -723,12 +807,65 @@ async fn forward_one(
     }
 }
 
+fn is_effect_aware_transfer(method: &Method) -> bool {
+    matches!(method, Method::ToolUpload | Method::ToolDownload)
+}
+
+fn transfer_effect(err: &RpcError) -> Option<&str> {
+    err.data.as_ref()?.get("effect_state")?.as_str()
+}
+
+fn unknown_transfer_error(
+    code: ErrorCode,
+    message: impl Into<String>,
+    phase: &str,
+    cleanup_failed: bool,
+) -> RpcError {
+    let mut data = serde_json::json!({
+        "reason": "transfer_outcome_unknown",
+        "effect_state": "unknown",
+        "phase": phase,
+    });
+    if cleanup_failed {
+        data["cleanup_state"] = serde_json::json!("failed");
+    }
+    RpcError {
+        code,
+        message: message.into(),
+        data: Some(data),
+    }
+}
+
+fn timed_out_transfer_error(err: &RpcError) -> RpcError {
+    let data = err.data.as_ref();
+    RpcError {
+        code: ErrorCode::Timeout,
+        message: "file transfer timed out after dispatch".into(),
+        data: Some(serde_json::json!({
+            "reason": "transfer_timeout",
+            "effect_state": data
+                .and_then(|value| value.get("effect_state"))
+                .and_then(Value::as_str)
+                .unwrap_or("unknown"),
+            "phase": data
+                .and_then(|value| value.get("phase"))
+                .and_then(Value::as_str)
+                .unwrap_or("cleanup"),
+            "cleanup_state": data
+                .and_then(|value| value.get("cleanup_state"))
+                .and_then(Value::as_str)
+                .unwrap_or("complete"),
+        })),
+    }
+}
+
 #[derive(Debug)]
 enum WaitOutcome {
     Response(bsk_protocol::ResponseFrame),
     CancelledAfterResponse(bsk_protocol::ResponseFrame),
     TimedOutAfterResponse(bsk_protocol::ResponseFrame),
     CleanupTimeout,
+    TimeoutCleanupFailed,
     WaiterClosed,
     Timeout,
 }
@@ -739,6 +876,7 @@ async fn await_with_optional_cancel(
     mut waiter: oneshot::Receiver<bsk_protocol::ResponseFrame>,
     cancel: Option<&super::abort::AbortToken>,
     on_abort: Option<&(dyn Fn() + Sync)>,
+    on_deadline: Option<&(dyn Fn() -> bool + Sync)>,
 ) -> WaitOutcome {
     match cancel {
         Some(token) => {
@@ -764,6 +902,16 @@ async fn await_with_optional_cancel(
                     Err(_) => WaitOutcome::WaiterClosed,
                 },
                 _ = &mut deadline => {
+                    if let Some(send_cancel) = on_deadline {
+                        return if send_cancel() {
+                            match tokio::time::timeout(cleanup_timeout, &mut waiter).await {
+                                Ok(Ok(resp)) => WaitOutcome::TimedOutAfterResponse(resp),
+                                Ok(Err(_)) | Err(_) => WaitOutcome::TimeoutCleanupFailed,
+                            }
+                        } else {
+                            WaitOutcome::TimeoutCleanupFailed
+                        };
+                    }
                     let Some(on_abort) = on_abort else {
                         return WaitOutcome::Timeout;
                     };
@@ -779,7 +927,16 @@ async fn await_with_optional_cancel(
         None => match tokio::time::timeout(timeout, &mut waiter).await {
             Ok(Ok(resp)) => WaitOutcome::Response(resp),
             Ok(Err(_)) => WaitOutcome::WaiterClosed,
-            Err(_) => WaitOutcome::Timeout,
+            Err(_) => match on_deadline {
+                Some(send_cancel) if send_cancel() => {
+                    match tokio::time::timeout(cleanup_timeout, &mut waiter).await {
+                        Ok(Ok(resp)) => WaitOutcome::TimedOutAfterResponse(resp),
+                        Ok(Err(_)) | Err(_) => WaitOutcome::TimeoutCleanupFailed,
+                    }
+                }
+                Some(_) => WaitOutcome::TimeoutCleanupFailed,
+                None => WaitOutcome::Timeout,
+            },
         },
     }
 }
@@ -864,6 +1021,7 @@ mod await_with_optional_cancel_tests {
             rx,
             Some(&token),
             None,
+            None,
         )
         .await;
         assert!(
@@ -887,6 +1045,7 @@ mod await_with_optional_cancel_tests {
             rx,
             Some(&token),
             None,
+            None,
         )
         .await;
         match outcome {
@@ -907,6 +1066,7 @@ mod await_with_optional_cancel_tests {
             rx,
             None,
             None,
+            None,
         )
         .await;
         assert!(matches!(outcome, WaitOutcome::Response(_)));
@@ -924,6 +1084,7 @@ mod await_with_optional_cancel_tests {
                 rx,
                 Some(&token),
                 None,
+                None,
             )
             .await
         });
@@ -948,6 +1109,7 @@ mod await_with_optional_cancel_tests {
             rx,
             Some(&token),
             None,
+            None,
         )
         .await;
         assert!(matches!(outcome, WaitOutcome::CleanupTimeout));
@@ -972,12 +1134,49 @@ mod await_with_optional_cancel_tests {
             rx,
             Some(&token),
             Some(&forward_abort),
+            None,
         )
         .await;
 
         assert!(abort_forwarded.load(Ordering::SeqCst));
         assert!(matches!(outcome, WaitOutcome::TimedOutAfterResponse(_)));
     }
+
+    #[tokio::test]
+    async fn transfer_deadline_sends_cancel_and_waits_for_cleanup_response() {
+        let (tx, rx) = oneshot::channel();
+        tokio::spawn(async move {
+            tokio::time::sleep(Duration::from_millis(5)).await;
+            tx.send(dummy_response()).unwrap();
+        });
+        let send_cancel = || true;
+        let outcome = await_with_optional_cancel(
+            Duration::from_millis(1),
+            Duration::from_secs(1),
+            rx,
+            None,
+            None,
+            Some(&send_cancel),
+        )
+        .await;
+        assert!(matches!(outcome, WaitOutcome::TimedOutAfterResponse(_)));
+    }
+
+    #[tokio::test]
+    async fn transfer_deadline_is_unknown_when_cancel_cannot_be_sent() {
+        let (_tx, rx) = oneshot::channel();
+        let send_cancel = || false;
+        let outcome = await_with_optional_cancel(
+            Duration::from_millis(1),
+            Duration::from_secs(1),
+            rx,
+            None,
+            None,
+            Some(&send_cancel),
+        )
+        .await;
+        assert!(matches!(outcome, WaitOutcome::TimeoutCleanupFailed));
+    }
 }
 
 #[cfg(test)]
diff --git a/crates/bsk-cli/src/daemon/start.rs b/crates/bsk-cli/src/daemon/start.rs
index 241eb85..cb6460c 100644
--- a/crates/bsk-cli/src/daemon/start.rs
+++ b/crates/bsk-cli/src/daemon/start.rs
@@ -225,6 +225,10 @@ pub fn run_foreground(cfg: DaemonConfig) -> Result<()> {
             .with_context(|| format!("bind IPC endpoint {}", sock_path.display()))?;
 
         let state = Arc::new(DaemonState::new(cfg.clone()));
+        state
+            .transfers
+            .initialize()
+            .context("initialize transfer staging")?;
         let session_idle_task = spawn_session_idle_reaper(Arc::clone(&state));
         let browser_liveness_task = spawn_browser_liveness_reaper(Arc::clone(&state));
         // Fired by the update check task after a successful auto-update:
@@ -448,6 +452,7 @@ pub(crate) fn spawn_browser_liveness_reaper(
                     for s in state.sessions.purge_browser(&client.id) {
                         state.tool_queues.remove(&s.id);
                         state.session_interrupts.drop_session(&s.id);
+                        state.transfers.release_session(&s.id.0);
                         debug!(session = %s.id, "purged session on browser liveness timeout");
                     }
                 }
@@ -485,7 +490,10 @@ pub(crate) fn spawn_session_idle_reaper(state: Arc<DaemonState>) -> tokio::task:
                 )
                 .await
                 {
-                    Ok(_) => info!(session = %session_id, "idle session stopped"),
+                    Ok(_) => {
+                        state.transfers.release_session(&session_id.0);
+                        info!(session = %session_id, "idle session stopped");
+                    }
                     Err(StopSessionError::SessionBusy | StopSessionError::Stopping) => {
                         debug!(session = %session_id, "idle session still active; retrying later");
                     }
@@ -496,6 +504,7 @@ pub(crate) fn spawn_session_idle_reaper(state: Arc<DaemonState>) -> tokio::task:
                             &state.session_interrupts,
                             &session_id,
                         );
+                        state.transfers.release_session(&session_id.0);
                     }
                     Err(err) => {
                         warn!(session = %session_id, error = %err, "failed to stop idle session");
diff --git a/crates/bsk-cli/src/daemon/state.rs b/crates/bsk-cli/src/daemon/state.rs
index ad3b48b..1001f3e 100644
--- a/crates/bsk-cli/src/daemon/state.rs
+++ b/crates/bsk-cli/src/daemon/state.rs
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ use tokio::task::JoinHandle;
 
 use super::abort::AbortRegistry;
 use super::browsers::BrowserRegistry;
+use super::file_transfer::TransferRegistry;
 use super::inflight::ToolInflightRegistry;
 use super::ipc::IpcHandle;
 use super::queue::ToolQueueRegistry;
@@ -51,6 +52,9 @@ pub struct DaemonState {
     /// `SessionRegistry` because the signal is a transient runtime
     /// control state.
     pub session_interrupts: Arc<SessionInterruptRegistry>,
+    /// Operation-scoped local file staging. The extension only sees paths
+    /// minted here; agent-facing RPCs use opaque transfer ids.
+    pub transfers: Arc<TransferRegistry>,
 }
 
 impl DaemonState {
@@ -64,6 +68,7 @@ impl DaemonState {
         ));
         let abort_registry = Arc::new(AbortRegistry::new());
         let session_interrupts = Arc::new(SessionInterruptRegistry::new());
+        let transfers = Arc::new(TransferRegistry::new().expect("initialise transfer staging"));
         Self {
             config,
             browsers,
@@ -72,6 +77,7 @@ impl DaemonState {
             abort_registry,
             tool_inflight,
             session_interrupts,
+            transfers,
         }
     }
 }
diff --git a/crates/bsk-cli/src/daemon/ws.rs b/crates/bsk-cli/src/daemon/ws.rs
index 435b0a9..e571f3d 100644
--- a/crates/bsk-cli/src/daemon/ws.rs
+++ b/crates/bsk-cli/src/daemon/ws.rs
@@ -295,6 +295,7 @@ async fn drive_connection(
     for session in state.sessions.purge_browser(&browser_id) {
         state.tool_queues.remove(&session.id);
         state.session_interrupts.drop_session(&session.id);
+        state.transfers.release_session(&session.id.0);
         debug!(session = %session.id, "purged stale session before browser reconnect");
     }
     let (tx, mut rx) = mpsc::unbounded_channel::<Frame>();
@@ -407,6 +408,7 @@ async fn drive_connection(
         for s in state.sessions.purge_browser(&browser_id) {
             state.tool_queues.remove(&s.id);
             state.session_interrupts.drop_session(&s.id);
+            state.transfers.release_session(&s.id.0);
             debug!(session = %s.id, "purged session on browser disconnect");
         }
     } else {
@@ -503,6 +505,7 @@ fn handle_session_window_closed(
         &state.session_interrupts,
         &session_id,
     ) {
+        state.transfers.release_session(&session_id.0);
         info!(session = %session_id, "session removed: user closed Agent Window");
     } else {
         debug!(session = %session_id, "session.window_closed for unknown session id");
diff --git a/crates/bsk-cli/src/main.rs b/crates/bsk-cli/src/main.rs
index 86c1451..6ac5468 100644
--- a/crates/bsk-cli/src/main.rs
+++ b/crates/bsk-cli/src/main.rs
@@ -97,6 +97,8 @@ fn dispatch(cli: Cli, format: Format) -> Result<(), CliError> {
         Command::Fill(args) => cli::interaction::dispatch_fill(args, format),
         Command::Press(args) => cli::interaction::dispatch_press(args, format),
         Command::Select(args) => cli::interaction::dispatch_select(args, format),
+        Command::Upload(args) => cli::upload::dispatch(args, format),
+        Command::Download(args) => cli::download::dispatch(args, format),
         Command::Evaluate(args) => cli::evaluate::dispatch(args, format),
         Command::WaitForNavigation(args) => cli::waits::dispatch_wait_for_navigation(args, format),
         Command::WaitMs(args) => cli::waits::dispatch_wait_ms(args, format),
diff --git a/crates/bsk-cli/tests/cli_parse.rs b/crates/bsk-cli/tests/cli_parse.rs
index f8cb0f2..ff7c87f 100644
--- a/crates/bsk-cli/tests/cli_parse.rs
+++ b/crates/bsk-cli/tests/cli_parse.rs
@@ -213,6 +213,45 @@ fn rejects_zero_click_count() {
     );
 }
 
+#[test]
+fn parses_upload_with_repeated_files() {
+    let cli = parse(&[
+        "bsk",
+        "upload",
+        "@e3",
+        "--file",
+        "one.png",
+        "--file",
+        "two.png",
+        "--session",
+        "s1",
+    ]);
+    let Command::Upload(args) = cli.command else {
+        panic!("expected upload command");
+    };
+    assert_eq!(args.target.as_deref(), Some("@e3"));
+    assert_eq!(args.files.len(), 2);
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn parses_download_with_exact_output_policy() {
+    let cli = parse(&[
+        "bsk",
+        "download",
+        "#export",
+        "--out",
+        "result.zip",
+        "--session",
+        "s1",
+        "--overwrite",
+    ]);
+    let Command::Download(args) = cli.command else {
+        panic!("expected download command");
+    };
+    assert_eq!(args.target.as_deref(), Some("#export"));
+    assert!(args.overwrite);
+}
+
 #[test]
 fn parses_record_start_with_browser_and_url() {
     let cli = parse(&[
diff --git a/crates/bsk-protocol/schema/tool_download_params.json b/crates/bsk-protocol/schema/tool_download_params.json
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3bfbba7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/crates/bsk-protocol/schema/tool_download_params.json
@@ -0,0 +1,56 @@
+{
+  "$schema": "http://json-schema.org/draft-07/schema#",
+  "title": "DownloadParams",
+  "type": "object",
+  "required": [
+    "session_id"
+  ],
+  "properties": {
+    "browser_relative_dir": {
+      "description": "Daemon-injected relative directory beneath Chrome's Downloads root.",
+      "type": [
+        "string",
+        "null"
+      ]
+    },
+    "max_byte_size": {
+      "description": "Daemon-injected authoritative transfer size limit. The extension uses it only for early cancellation; daemon import remains the final check.",
+      "type": [
+        "integer",
+        "null"
+      ],
+      "format": "uint64",
+      "minimum": 0.0
+    },
+    "ref": {
+      "type": [
+        "string",
+        "null"
+      ]
+    },
+    "selector": {
+      "type": [
+        "string",
+        "null"
+      ]
+    },
+    "session_id": {
+      "type": "string"
+    },
+    "tab_id": {
+      "type": [
+        "integer",
+        "null"
+      ],
+      "format": "int64"
+    },
+    "timeout_ms": {
+      "type": [
+        "integer",
+        "null"
+      ],
+      "format": "uint32",
+      "minimum": 0.0
+    }
+  }
+}
diff --git a/crates/bsk-protocol/schema/tool_download_result.json b/crates/bsk-protocol/schema/tool_download_result.json
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..726ca50
--- /dev/null
+++ b/crates/bsk-protocol/schema/tool_download_result.json
@@ -0,0 +1,62 @@
+{
+  "$schema": "http://json-schema.org/draft-07/schema#",
+  "title": "DownloadResult",
+  "type": "object",
+  "required": [
+    "byte_size",
+    "suggested_filename",
+    "tab_id"
+  ],
+  "properties": {
+    "browser_path": {
+      "description": "Extension-internal completed Chrome download path, stripped by the daemon.",
+      "type": [
+        "string",
+        "null"
+      ]
+    },
+    "byte_size": {
+      "type": "integer",
+      "format": "uint64",
+      "minimum": 0.0
+    },
+    "danger": {
+      "type": [
+        "string",
+        "null"
+      ]
+    },
+    "mime": {
+      "type": [
+        "string",
+        "null"
+      ]
+    },
+    "suggested_filename": {
+      "type": "string"
+    },
+    "tab_id": {
+      "type": "integer",
+      "format": "int64"
+    },
+    "transfer_id": {
+      "description": "Opaque id returned by the daemon to the CLI.",
+      "type": [
+        "string",
+        "null"
+      ]
+    },
+    "used_ref": {
+      "type": [
+        "string",
+        "null"
+      ]
+    },
+    "used_selector": {
+      "type": [
+        "string",
+        "null"
+      ]
+    }
+  }
+}
diff --git a/crates/bsk-protocol/schema/tool_upload_params.json b/crates/bsk-protocol/schema/tool_upload_params.json
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..98a0747
--- /dev/null
+++ b/crates/bsk-protocol/schema/tool_upload_params.json
@@ -0,0 +1,70 @@
+{
+  "$schema": "http://json-schema.org/draft-07/schema#",
+  "title": "UploadParams",
+  "type": "object",
+  "required": [
+    "files",
+    "session_id"
+  ],
+  "properties": {
+    "files": {
+      "type": "array",
+      "items": {
+        "$ref": "#/definitions/UploadFile"
+      }
+    },
+    "ref": {
+      "type": [
+        "string",
+        "null"
+      ]
+    },
+    "selector": {
+      "type": [
+        "string",
+        "null"
+      ]
+    },
+    "session_id": {
+      "type": "string"
+    },
+    "tab_id": {
+      "type": [
+        "integer",
+        "null"
+      ],
+      "format": "int64"
+    },
+    "timeout_ms": {
+      "type": [
+        "integer",
+        "null"
+      ],
+      "format": "uint32",
+      "minimum": 0.0
+    }
+  },
+  "definitions": {
+    "UploadFile": {
+      "type": "object",
+      "required": [
+        "name",
+        "transfer_id"
+      ],
+      "properties": {
+        "name": {
+          "type": "string"
+        },
+        "staged_path": {
+          "type": [
+            "string",
+            "null"
+          ]
+        },
+        "transfer_id": {
+          "type": "string"
+        }
+      }
+    }
+  }
+}
diff --git a/crates/bsk-protocol/schema/tool_upload_result.json b/crates/bsk-protocol/schema/tool_upload_result.json
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..192c10d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/crates/bsk-protocol/schema/tool_upload_result.json
@@ -0,0 +1,33 @@
+{
+  "$schema": "http://json-schema.org/draft-07/schema#",
+  "title": "UploadResult",
+  "type": "object",
+  "required": [
+    "file_names",
+    "tab_id"
+  ],
+  "properties": {
+    "file_names": {
+      "type": "array",
+      "items": {
+        "type": "string"
+      }
+    },
+    "tab_id": {
+      "type": "integer",
+      "format": "int64"
+    },
+    "used_ref": {
+      "type": [
+        "string",
+        "null"
+      ]
+    },
+    "used_selector": {
+      "type": [
+        "string",
+        "null"
+      ]
+    }
+  }
+}
diff --git a/crates/bsk-protocol/src/bin/dump-schema.rs b/crates/bsk-protocol/src/bin/dump-schema.rs
index e1f4e6d..6599dce 100644
--- a/crates/bsk-protocol/src/bin/dump-schema.rs
+++ b/crates/bsk-protocol/src/bin/dump-schema.rs
@@ -85,6 +85,10 @@ fn main() {
     dump!(PressResult, "tool_press_result");
     dump!(SelectParams, "tool_select_params");
     dump!(SelectResult, "tool_select_result");
+    dump!(UploadParams, "tool_upload_params");
+    dump!(UploadResult, "tool_upload_result");
+    dump!(DownloadParams, "tool_download_params");
+    dump!(DownloadResult, "tool_download_result");
 
     dump!(SnapshotParams, "tool_snapshot_params");
     dump!(SnapshotResult, "tool_snapshot_result");
diff --git a/crates/bsk-protocol/src/method.rs b/crates/bsk-protocol/src/method.rs
index 75f8b4d..740498c 100644
--- a/crates/bsk-protocol/src/method.rs
+++ b/crates/bsk-protocol/src/method.rs
@@ -78,6 +78,10 @@ pub enum Method {
     ToolPress,
     #[serde(rename = "tool.select")]
     ToolSelect,
+    #[serde(rename = "tool.upload")]
+    ToolUpload,
+    #[serde(rename = "tool.download")]
+    ToolDownload,
     #[serde(rename = "tool.snapshot")]
     ToolSnapshot,
     #[serde(rename = "tool.observe")]
@@ -105,6 +109,17 @@ pub enum Method {
     #[serde(rename = "tool.record_await")]
     ToolRecordAwait,
 
+    #[serde(rename = "transfer.begin")]
+    TransferBegin,
+    #[serde(rename = "transfer.chunk")]
+    TransferChunk,
+    #[serde(rename = "transfer.finish")]
+    TransferFinish,
+    #[serde(rename = "transfer.read")]
+    TransferRead,
+    #[serde(rename = "transfer.release")]
+    TransferRelease,
+
     #[serde(rename = "cancel")]
     Cancel,
 }
@@ -156,6 +171,8 @@ impl Method {
             | Method::ToolFill
             | Method::ToolPress
             | Method::ToolSelect
+            | Method::ToolUpload
+            | Method::ToolDownload
             | Method::ToolEvaluate
             // May navigate via optional `url` and changes Agent Window
             // chrome; gate behind pending-interrupt like other writes.
@@ -194,6 +211,11 @@ impl Method {
             | Method::SystemPing
             | Method::SystemStatus
             | Method::BrowserList
+            | Method::TransferBegin
+            | Method::TransferChunk
+            | Method::TransferFinish
+            | Method::TransferRead
+            | Method::TransferRelease
             | Method::Cancel => MethodEffect::ControlPlane,
         }
     }
diff --git a/crates/bsk-protocol/src/tools/file_transfer.rs b/crates/bsk-protocol/src/tools/file_transfer.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9677785
--- /dev/null
+++ b/crates/bsk-protocol/src/tools/file_transfer.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,176 @@
+//! Content-transparent file transfer contracts.
+//!
+//! Public tool calls carry opaque transfer ids. Filesystem paths are injected
+//! by the daemon only on the daemon -> extension hop and are never accepted as
+//! an agent-facing source or destination.
+
+use schemars::JsonSchema;
+use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
+
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, PartialEq, Serialize, Deserialize, JsonSchema)]
+pub struct UploadFile {
+    pub transfer_id: String,
+    pub name: String,
+    #[serde(default, skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
+    pub staged_path: Option<String>,
+}
+
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, PartialEq, Serialize, Deserialize, JsonSchema)]
+pub struct UploadParams {
+    pub session_id: String,
+    #[serde(
+        rename = "ref",
+        alias = "ref_",
+        default,
+        skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none"
+    )]
+    pub ref_: Option<String>,
+    #[serde(default, skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
+    pub selector: Option<String>,
+    #[serde(default, skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
+    pub tab_id: Option<i64>,
+    pub files: Vec<UploadFile>,
+    #[serde(default, skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
+    pub timeout_ms: Option<u32>,
+}
+
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, PartialEq, Serialize, Deserialize, JsonSchema)]
+pub struct UploadResult {
+    pub tab_id: i64,
+    #[serde(default, skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
+    pub used_ref: Option<String>,
+    #[serde(default, skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
+    pub used_selector: Option<String>,
+    pub file_names: Vec<String>,
+}
+
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, PartialEq, Serialize, Deserialize, JsonSchema)]
+pub struct DownloadParams {
+    pub session_id: String,
+    #[serde(
+        rename = "ref",
+        alias = "ref_",
+        default,
+        skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none"
+    )]
+    pub ref_: Option<String>,
+    #[serde(default, skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
+    pub selector: Option<String>,
+    #[serde(default, skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
+    pub tab_id: Option<i64>,
+    #[serde(default, skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
+    pub timeout_ms: Option<u32>,
+    /// Daemon-injected relative directory beneath Chrome's Downloads root.
+    #[serde(default, skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
+    pub browser_relative_dir: Option<String>,
+    /// Daemon-injected authoritative transfer size limit. The extension uses
+    /// it only for early cancellation; daemon import remains the final check.
+    #[serde(default, skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
+    pub max_byte_size: Option<u64>,
+}
+
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, PartialEq, Serialize, Deserialize, JsonSchema)]
+pub struct DownloadResult {
+    pub tab_id: i64,
+    #[serde(default, skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
+    pub used_ref: Option<String>,
+    #[serde(default, skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
+    pub used_selector: Option<String>,
+    pub suggested_filename: String,
+    pub byte_size: u64,
+    #[serde(default, skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
+    pub mime: Option<String>,
+    #[serde(default, skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
+    pub danger: Option<String>,
+    /// Extension-internal completed Chrome download path, stripped by the daemon.
+    #[serde(default, skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
+    pub browser_path: Option<String>,
+    /// Opaque id returned by the daemon to the CLI.
+    #[serde(default, skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
+    pub transfer_id: Option<String>,
+}
+
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, PartialEq, Serialize, Deserialize, JsonSchema)]
+pub struct TransferBeginParams {
+    pub session_id: String,
+    pub name: String,
+    pub byte_size: u64,
+}
+
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, PartialEq, Serialize, Deserialize, JsonSchema)]
+pub struct TransferBeginResult {
+    pub transfer_id: String,
+    pub chunk_size: u32,
+}
+
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, PartialEq, Serialize, Deserialize, JsonSchema)]
+pub struct TransferChunkParams {
+    pub transfer_id: String,
+    pub offset: u64,
+    pub data_base64: String,
+}
+
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, PartialEq, Serialize, Deserialize, JsonSchema)]
+pub struct TransferChunkResult {
+    pub next_offset: u64,
+    #[serde(default)]
+    pub eof: bool,
+    #[serde(default, skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
+    pub data_base64: Option<String>,
+}
+
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, PartialEq, Serialize, Deserialize, JsonSchema)]
+pub struct TransferIdParams {
+    pub transfer_id: String,
+}
+
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, PartialEq, Serialize, Deserialize, JsonSchema)]
+pub struct TransferReadyResult {
+    pub transfer_id: String,
+    pub byte_size: u64,
+}
+
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, PartialEq, Serialize, Deserialize, JsonSchema)]
+pub struct TransferReleaseResult {
+    pub released: bool,
+}
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod tests {
+    use super::*;
+
+    #[test]
+    fn upload_agent_shape_omits_daemon_path_and_uses_ref_wire_name() {
+        let value = serde_json::to_value(UploadParams {
+            session_id: "s1".into(),
+            ref_: Some("@e3".into()),
+            selector: None,
+            tab_id: None,
+            files: vec![UploadFile {
+                transfer_id: "tr_1".into(),
+                name: "image.png".into(),
+                staged_path: None,
+            }],
+            timeout_ms: None,
+        })
+        .unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(value["ref"], "@e3");
+        assert!(value["files"][0].get("staged_path").is_none());
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn download_agent_shape_omits_daemon_path() {
+        let value = serde_json::to_value(DownloadParams {
+            session_id: "s1".into(),
+            ref_: None,
+            selector: Some("#export".into()),
+            tab_id: None,
+            timeout_ms: None,
+            browser_relative_dir: None,
+            max_byte_size: None,
+        })
+        .unwrap();
+        assert!(value.get("browser_relative_dir").is_none());
+        assert!(value.get("max_byte_size").is_none());
+    }
+}
diff --git a/crates/bsk-protocol/src/tools/mod.rs b/crates/bsk-protocol/src/tools/mod.rs
index 88347b3..9e841bb 100644
--- a/crates/bsk-protocol/src/tools/mod.rs
+++ b/crates/bsk-protocol/src/tools/mod.rs
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
 pub mod console;
 pub mod dialog;
 pub mod emulate;
+pub mod file_transfer;
 pub mod human_loop;
 pub mod interaction;
 pub mod navigation;
@@ -21,6 +22,7 @@ pub mod window;
 pub use console::*;
 pub use dialog::*;
 pub use emulate::*;
+pub use file_transfer::*;
 pub use human_loop::*;
 pub use interaction::*;
 pub use navigation::*;
diff --git a/docs/architecture.md b/docs/architecture.md
index 2e02c57..cfaf9e5 100644
--- a/docs/architecture.md
+++ b/docs/architecture.md
@@ -143,6 +143,15 @@ flowchart LR
 - No credential storage in bsk — cookies stay in the user's browser profile.
 - `evaluate` restricted to Agent Window tabs in sandbox mode.
 
+### File-transfer boundary
+
+- The invoking agent/harness decides whether a transfer is authorized and supplies the task-local source or destination path.
+- The CLI is the only component that reads an upload source or writes the final download destination. Before browser dispatch it owns rollback of partially staged uploads; after dispatch, ownership moves to the session because a transport timeout cannot prove that Chrome did not attach the file. Download output becomes visible through one atomic commit, and replacement is opt-in without a pre-delete window. The extension never receives either agent-facing path.
+- The daemon is the authority for storage capabilities and limits. It issues opaque session-scoped transfer IDs, stages bounded chunks in a private runtime directory, and injects only private staged upload paths. For download it mints one relative Chrome directory capability. Only after validating the reported path, file type, symlink boundary, and authoritative byte limit does it take ownership of browser-file cleanup and import the bytes.
+- The extension owns only the browser transaction. Both tools resolve one `ResolvedActionTarget` and use that same target for protocol setup and the triggering click. Upload arms Chrome's chooser interception before clicking, then accepts either an exact `Page.fileChooserOpened` input node or an independent probe anchored in the trigger node's own document; one verified input is committed with `DOM.setFileInputFiles`. A non-input picker is rejected immediately as unsupported. Download correlates exact-target CDP intent and `chrome.downloads` filename candidates in either arrival order, claims only one unique match, and never cancels an unclaimed candidate.
+- Browser-side operations report `effect_state` (`none`, `committed`, or `unknown`), `phase`, and `cleanup_state`. Confirmed success wins over a late cancel; an unknown effect is preserved across timeout or transport loss and must not be retried blindly. A transfer deadline sends cancellation to the extension and keeps the session queue occupied for bounded compensation rather than abandoning an in-flight browser effect.
+- Download staging is released after CLI commit. Upload staging remains until session teardown because the page may read an attached file only on a later form submission. Remaining staging is released on session stop/browser disconnect and on daemon startup after a crash. BrowserSkill does not inspect content or decide whether a transfer is appropriate.
+
 ## Repository layout
 
 ```
diff --git a/skill/SKILL.md b/skill/SKILL.md
index 47a2177..89f447d 100644
--- a/skill/SKILL.md
+++ b/skill/SKILL.md
@@ -121,9 +121,151 @@ request-help   record start|stop
 
 Required flags that are easy to get wrong:
 
-```text
-bsk fill <ref> --value <text>      bsk select <ref> --value <option-value>
-bsk screenshot --out <path>        bsk emulate --device <preset-id>
+### Tabs (require `--session <id>`)
+
+| Command | Summary |
+|---------|---------|
+| `bsk tab list` | List tabs (`--scope user\|agent\|all`, default `all`) |
+| `bsk tab create` | New tab in Agent Window (`--url`, `--no-active`, `--index`) |
+| `bsk tab close <tab-id>` | Close an agent tab |
+| `bsk tab select <tab-id>` | Focus an agent tab |
+| `bsk tab borrow <tab-id>` | Move a user tab into the Agent Window |
+| `bsk tab return <tab-id>` | Return a borrowed tab to its original window |
+
+### Observation (require `--session` unless noted)
+
+| Command | Summary |
+|---------|---------|
+| `bsk snapshot` | First-choice static page understanding: accessibility tree with `@eN` element refs |
+| `bsk observe` | Semantic VOM observation with bounded perception probes for conditional surfaces |
+| `bsk get-html` | Raw HTML dump after snapshot is insufficient (high token cost) |
+| `bsk screenshot` | PNG capture after snapshot is insufficient: full visible tab, or `--ref @eN` to crop to one element (`--out` path optional) |
+
+### Console & network debugging (read-only; require `--session`)
+
+| Command | Summary |
+|---------|---------|
+| `bsk console` | Buffered page console messages, JS exceptions, and browser log entries (`--include-stack` for stack traces) |
+| `bsk network` | Buffered network responses (status, method, URL, MIME/resource type) and failures (`net::ERR_*` reason) |
+
+Both capture from the moment the tab is attached and read a bounded per-tab buffer: `--since <seq>` pages from a cursor (`next_since` in the result), `--limit` (default 50, max 200), `--max-text-chars` (default 1000, max 4096), `--tab-id` to target a non-active tab. Both are strictly read-only — they never intercept or modify traffic, and request/response headers, bodies, and timings are not captured.
+
+### Navigation
+
+| Command | Summary |
+|---------|---------|
+| `bsk navigate <url>` | Go to URL in agent tab (`--wait-until`, `--timeout`) |
+| `bsk navigate-back` | History back one step |
+| `bsk navigate-forward` | History forward one step |
+| `bsk reload` | Reload current tab (`--hard` bypass cache) |
+
+(`bsk navigate back` / `bsk navigate forward` are equivalent subcommands.)
+
+### Interaction
+
+| Command | Summary |
+|---------|---------|
+| `bsk click <ref-or-selector>` | Click element (`--button`, `--click-count`, `--modifiers`) |
+| `bsk hover <ref-or-selector>` | Move the mouse to an element and wait for hover UI to settle (`--settle`, `--modifiers`) |
+| `bsk fill <ref-or-selector> --value <text>` | Clear and type into input |
+| `bsk select <ref-or-selector> --value <v>` | Set `<select>` option(s) by `value` (repeat `--value` for multi-select) |
+| `bsk press <key>` | Key/combo (`Enter`, `Ctrl+A`, …; optional `--ref` to focus first) |
+
+### File transfer (require `--session`)
+
+| Command | Summary |
+|---------|---------|
+| `bsk upload <ref-or-selector> --file <path>` | Click one upload trigger and attach an agent-readable local file (`--file` is repeatable) |
+| `bsk download <ref-or-selector> --out <path>` | Click one download trigger and copy the single completed file to an exact local path (`--overwrite` is opt-in) |
+
+The agent/harness decides whether a file transfer is appropriate and which local path belongs to the task. Treat upload as disclosure of that file to the current website, and download as accepting website-controlled bytes onto the local filesystem. Use only paths that are necessary for the user's bounded goal.
+
+BrowserSkill enforces the mechanical boundary: files are staged under a session-scoped opaque transfer, only daemon-minted capabilities reach the extension, upload/download still obey Agent Window tab checks, and transfers are chunk/size bounded. Upload intercepts the native chooser for one transaction, locates the input activated in the resolved target's document, and assigns only the staged file paths. Download uniquely correlates one exact-target browser intent with one Chrome download in either event order, routes it through a daemon-minted relative directory, and lets the daemon validate and import it. Upload staging remains available for a later form submission and is removed when the session ends. Downloads cannot overwrite an existing destination unless `--overwrite` is explicit. BrowserSkill does not inspect file content or decide whether its meaning is sensitive.
+
+Do not use `request-help` merely because a native file chooser or browser download is involved; try these commands first. For transfer failures, use the structured error instead of retrying blindly:
+
+- `reason=file_input_not_activated` means the requested click did not activate exactly one `<input type="file">`; the page may use a non-input picker such as `window.showOpenFilePicker()`. Do not retry blindly. If human help is available, call `request-help` and tell the user the exact original local path to choose. The staged daemon path is internal and must not be shown to the user.
+- `reason=file_input_probe_failed` means BrowserSkill could not safely establish the browser-side upload transaction. Do not repeat the same action; use `request-help` when available.
+- `reason=set_file_input_failed` means BrowserSkill found the activated file input but Chrome rejected the staged path or assignment. Check the extension's file-URL access permission; otherwise use `request-help`.
+- `reason=download_capture_failed` means BrowserSkill could not attribute exactly one completed download to the requested target. Do not retry blindly or accept an unrelated browser download; use `request-help` when available.
+- `effect_state=none` means BrowserSkill confirmed that no file-transfer effect was committed. Follow the accompanying reason; a corrected target or explicit human fallback may be attempted.
+- `effect_state=unknown` means the browser may already have attached or created the file. Do not repeat the transfer. Observe the page if that can establish the result; otherwise stop and report the uncertainty.
+- `effect_state=committed` means the browser-side effect occurred even if later completion or cleanup failed. Do not repeat it; continue only after verifying the resulting page/download state.
+
+If `request-help` returns `outcome="disabled"`, do not retry it. Stop gracefully and report the transfer mechanism that requires human intervention.
+
+### Scripting & timing
+
+| Command | Summary |
+|---------|---------|
+| `bsk evaluate <expression>` | Run JS in agent tab (see red lines). JS throw → stderr, **exit 0** (RPC success); use `--json` and check `.ok` to detect JS errors |
+| `bsk wait-for-navigation` | Block until load/DOM idle/etc. (`--wait-until`, `--timeout`) |
+| `bsk wait-ms <duration>` | Sleep (`500ms`, `2s`, `1m`; **no** `--session`) |
+
+### Ask the human for help — `bsk request-help`
+
+When a step needs a human (captcha, login, OTP) or you want the user to
+confirm an important action, pause and ask:
+
+    bsk request-help --session <id> --prompt "Solve the captcha, then click Done only after the site accepts it" \
+      --title "Captcha required" --target @e7 --target "#submit" --timeout 5m
+
+- `--prompt` (required): what the user should do.
+- `--title` (optional): custom title for the overlay panel. When omitted,
+  the extension shows its default localized title.
+- `--target` (repeatable): a snapshot ref (`@e7`) or CSS selector
+  (`#submit`) to scroll to and flash-highlight. **Strongly recommended** —
+  whenever the prompt refers to a concrete element (a button to click, a
+  field to fill, a checkbox to toggle), pass its `@eN` ref / selector so the
+  user is guided straight to the right spot instead of hunting for it. For
+  interaction scenarios, always include the relevant target(s); reserve a
+  prompt with no `--target` for cases where there is genuinely no specific
+  element to point at (e.g. "wait for the page to finish loading").
+- `--timeout` (default `5m`): how long to wait.
+- `--completion-criteria` (optional): JSON success detector. Use it only
+  when there is a concrete post-help success signal, e.g.
+  `{"any":[{"url_contains":"/dashboard"},{"selector_exists":"[data-testid='account-menu']"}],"stable_for_ms":1000}`.
+
+The target tab is brought to the foreground; the page stays interactive
+while the agent control mask is hidden. The call blocks until the user
+explicitly acts, the timeout expires, cancellation arrives, or explicit
+completion criteria match. Page reloads, SPA route changes, and captcha
+refreshes do not return control by themselves. The result `outcome` is one of:
+
+- `continued` — the user finished and clicked Done / return control (treat as confirm).
+- `cancelled` — the user clicked Cancel (treat as reject/abort).
+- `timed_out` — nobody acted within the timeout.
+- `completed` — the explicit `--completion-criteria` matched while the user had control.
+- `navigated` — deprecated legacy outcome. Do not rely on navigation as a completion signal.
+
+`note` carries any text the user typed back. `resolved_targets` reports
+which refs/selectors matched a live element.
+
+`request-help` does not refresh the page model after the user returns
+control. After a `continued` or `completed` result, issue a separate
+observation tool call (usually `bsk snapshot --session <id>`) before using
+new refs or reasoning about the post-help page state.
+#### Disabling request-help (unattended mode)
+Set `BSK_REQUEST_HELP=off` on unattended servers: `bsk request-help` then
+returns immediately with `outcome="disabled"` (no overlay, no waiting,
+exit 0). Any other value keeps it enabled. If you get `disabled`, do not
+retry — complete the task autonomously or stop gracefully.
+
+### Recording — `bsk record`
+
+Capture the user's own actions in the Agent Window to a **trace bundle**, for later LLM-driven automation. New CLI builds request **trace v3** (page observations + action chain); older extensions may still return **trace v2** (actions only), which the CLI exports as a single `trace.json` without `states/`.
+
+```bash
+bsk record start --browser <instance-id-or-label> \
+  [--url https://…] [--purpose "publish a wiki doc"] \
+  [--max-page-tokens 3000] [--redact-values] \
+  [--output trace]
+# `--url` is optional; default https://example.com/ when omitted (must be http(s)).
+# Blocks until the user clicks Finish in the recording panel, then writes:
+#   trace/trace.json    — action chain (+ state index when v3)
+#   trace/states/       — v3 only: one `sN.txt` observe snapshot per settled page state
+
+bsk record stop [--output trace]   # terminal fallback if the browser panel is unavailable
 ```
 
 `select` matches an option's `value` attribute, not its visible label. Device preset ids are