---
category: features
menu-title: CKFinder
---
{@snippet features/build-ckfinder-source}
# CKFinder integration
This feature allows you to easily insert images as well as links to files into the editor content. It is a bridge between the CKEditor 5 WYSIWYG editor and the [CKFinder](https://ckeditor.com/ckfinder) file manager and uploader.
Check out the {@link features/image-upload comprehensive "Image upload" guide} to learn about other ways to upload images into CKEditor 5.
This feature can be used in the editor in two different ways:
* [**As a server-side connector only**](#configuring-the-image-upload-only) ([demo](#image-upload-only)): In this scenario, images which are dropped or pasted into the editor are uploaded to a CKFinder server-side connector running on your server.
* [**As a server and client-side file manager integration**](#configuring-the-full-integration) ([demo](#full-integration)): Images dropped and pasted directly into the editor are uploaded to the server (just like in the first option).
But there are more cool features available, for instance:
* **uploading** using the full user interface,
* **browsing** previously uploaded images,
* **editing** images (cropping, resizing, etc.),
* **organizing** or deleting images.
Check out the [CKFinder file manager website](https://ckeditor.com/ckfinder/) to learn more about features you can use in your project.
## Demo
### Image upload only
This demo shows the integration where the file manager's server connector handles [the image upload](#configuring-the-full-integration) only:
* Paste the image directly into the editor content and it will be automatically uploaded using the server—side connector.
* Use the "Insert image" button in the toolbar to insert an image.
{@snippet features/ckfinder-upload-only}
### Full integration
This demo shows the [full integration](#configuring-the-full-integration) with the CKFinder file manager:
* Paste the image directly into the editor content and it will be automatically uploaded using the server—side connector.
* Use the "Insert image or file" button in the toolbar to open the CKFinder file manager and insert an image or a link to any other file.
{@snippet features/ckfinder}
## Installation
This feature is enabled by default in all builds. The installation instructions are for developers interested in building their own, custom editor.
To add this feature to your editor, install the [`@ckeditor/ckeditor5-ckfinder`](https://www.npmjs.com/package/@ckeditor/ckeditor5-ckfinder) package:
```bash
npm install --save @ckeditor/ckeditor5-ckfinder
```
Then add {@link module:ckfinder/ckfinder~CKFinder} to your plugin list and [configure](#configuration) the feature (when necessary). For instance:
```js
import CKFinder from '@ckeditor/ckeditor5-ckfinder/src/ckfinder';
ClassicEditor
.create( document.querySelector( '#editor' ), {
plugins: [ CKFinder, ... ],
toolbar: [ 'ckfinder', 'imageUpload' ... ], // Depending on your preference.
ckfinder: {
// Feature configuration.
}
} )
.then( ... )
.catch( ... );
```
## Configuration
The feature is configurable by using the {@link module:ckfinder/ckfinder~CKFinderConfig `config.ckfinder`} object.
### Configuring the image upload only
This feature can upload images automatically to the server (e.g. when the image is dropped into the content) thanks to the {@link module:adapter-ckfinder/uploadadapter~CKFinderUploadAdapter CKFinder upload adapter}. All it requires is the correct {@link module:ckfinder/ckfinder~CKFinderConfig#uploadUrl `config.ckfinder.uploadUrl`} path.
Assuming that the CKFinder server-side connector is {@link @ckfinder ckfinder3-php/quickstart.html#quickstart_installation_folders installed} (available) under `https://example.com/ckfinder/`, use the following {@link @ckfinder ckfinder3-php/commands.html#command_quick_upload quick upload} command URL to enable the image upload:
```js
import CKFinder from '@ckeditor/ckeditor5-ckfinder/src/ckfinder';
ClassicEditor
.create( document.querySelector( '#editor' ), {
plugins: [ CKFinder, ... ],
// Enable the "Insert image" button in the toolbar.
toolbar: [ 'imageUpload', ... ],
ckfinder: {
// Upload the images to the server using the CKFinder's QuickUpload command.
uploadUrl: 'https://example.com/ckfinder/core/connector/php/connector.php?command=QuickUpload&type=Images&responseType=json'
}
} )
.then( ... )
.catch( ... );
```
See the **[demo of the image upload only](#image-upload-only)**.
### Configuring the full integration
To use both the image upload functionality and the CKFinder file manager user interface in your application, you must first load the CKFinder JavaScript library and then enable CKFinder integration in your editor instance.
The easiest way to load CKFinder library include the `
```
Then:
* Make sure that the {@link module:ckfinder/ckfinder~CKFinder CKFinder plugin} for CKEditor 5 is enabled. See the [Installation](#installation) section.
* In order to enable the automatic file upload to the server when an image is pasted or dropped into the editor content, remember to set the correct {@link module:ckfinder/ckfinder~CKFinderConfig#uploadUrl `config.ckfinder.uploadUrl`} path.
* In order to display the toolbar button that opens the CKFinder file manager UI allowing users to choose files on the server, make sure `'ckfinder'` is present in your {@link module:core/editor/editorconfig~EditorConfig#toolbar `config.toolbar`}.
* Additionally, you can use {@link module:ckfinder/ckfinder~CKFinderConfig#options `config.ckfinder.options`} to define {@link @ckfinder ckfinder3/#!/api/CKFinder.Config CKFinder's options}. For instance:
* You can define {@link @ckfinder ckfinder3/#!/api/CKFinder.Config-cfg-resourceType `options.resourceType`} to tell CKFinder the specified resource type can be browsed when the user uses the button.
* You can define {@link @ckfinder ckfinder3/#!/api/CKFinder.Config-cfg-resourceType `options.language`} to set the UI language of CKFinder. By default it will be set to the UI language of the editor.
```js
import CKFinder from '@ckeditor/ckeditor5-ckfinder/src/ckfinder';
ClassicEditor
.create( document.querySelector( '#editor' ), {
plugins: [ CKFinder, ... ],
// Enable the CKFinder button in the toolbar.
toolbar: [ 'ckfinder', ... ]
ckfinder: {
// Upload the images to the server using the CKFinder's QuickUpload command.
uploadUrl: 'https://example.com/ckfinder/core/connector/php/connector.php?command=QuickUpload&type=Images&responseType=json',
// Define CKFinder's configuration (if necessary).
options: {
resourceType: 'Images'
}
}
} )
.then( ... )
.catch( ... );
```
See the **[demo of the full integration](#full-integration)**.
#### Configuring the opener
You can change the way the CKFinder file manager opens using the {@link module:ckfinder/ckfinder~CKFinderConfig#openerMethod `config.ckfinder.openerMethod`} option.
By default, the manager opens as a modal. To open it in a new "pop-up" window, set the configuration value to `popup`:
```js
import CKFinder from '@ckeditor/ckeditor5-ckfinder/src/ckfinder';
ClassicEditor
.create( document.querySelector( '#editor' ), {
plugins: [ CKFinder, ... ],
toolbar: [ 'ckfinder', ... ]
ckfinder: {
// Open the file manager in the popup window.
openerMethod: 'popup'
}
} )
.then( ... )
.catch( ... );
```
## Common API
The {@link module:ckfinder/ckfinder~CKFinder} plugin registers:
* the `'ckfinder'` UI button component,
* the `'ckfinder'` command implemented by the {@link module:ckfinder/ckfindercommand~CKFinderCommand}.
You can open a CKFinder by executing the following code:
```js
editor.execute( 'ckfinder' );
```
Additionally, in the "image upload only" integration, you can use the following button and command registered by the {@link module:image/imageupload~ImageUpload} plugin:
* the `'imageUpload'` UI button component,
* the `'imageUpload'` command implemented by the {@link module:image/imageupload/imageuploadcommand~ImageUploadCommand}.
## Contribute
The source code of the feature is available on GitHub in https://github.com/ckeditor/ckeditor5-ckfinder.