Access & visibility
Allow documents.GetFile on your API key.
Workspace access by default. Private member data requires approved member delegation through Brigg-Act-As; the key supplies permissions while private ownership and project boundaries remain enforced.
Request fields
Send a JSON object with the following fields. Required fields must be included; omit optional fields you do not need.
file_idstringRequiredUse a file_id returned by this listing or by CompleteUpload. It is not an upload ID, storage path or filename. documents.ListDocuments.
At least 1 character.
Metadata, content and scan readiness
This reads metadata only. Use Get file download to obtain a temporary binary download URL, or Read text document for collaborative text content.
scan_status can be clean, threats_found, unsupported, failed or null. Null means no verdict is recorded; it is not proof that the file is safe or ready. It can occur for content without a binary, legacy content, or a scan that has not reported yet. The download operation checks current readiness and access again.
A threat, unsupported scan or failed scan is not fixed by retrying the same download in a tight loop. Use its returned error to distinguish pending work from a blocked file. Never infer that a non-null size or a successful metadata read authorizes access to bytes.
Response
Returns 200 OK with a JSON body.
file_idstringRequiredStable file ID returned by documents.CompleteUpload, documents.ListDocuments or a document creation operation. Use the same ID for downloads, attachments and supported file-based workflows. Do not use a filename or storage path.
filenamestringRequiredOriginal filename, including its extension.
content_typestring or nullRequiredMedia type of the file, such as application/pdf. Null when no binary file exists.
size_bytesnumber or nullRequiredFile size in bytes. Null for a document without a downloadable binary file.
visibilitystringRequiredWho may read the completed file. Personal files belong to the approved acting member; workspace files use shared access.
Allowed: "personal", "workspace".
scan_statusstring or nullRequiredRecorded scan verdict: clean, threats_found, unsupported, failed, or null when no verdict is recorded. Null does not guarantee download readiness; GetFileDownload rechecks the current scan and permissions.
Errors & retries
This operation reads data. It needs no idempotency key and can be retried after a transient failure.
For rate limits, follow the server’s retry guidance and back off. See HTTP errors and safe retries and limits.
| HTTP status | Code | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| 400 | invalid_json |
Send a JSON object with Content-Type: application/json. |
| 400 | invalid_input |
Check the request fields and types. |
| 401 | invalid_key |
The workspace API key is missing, invalid or revoked. |
| 403 | forbidden |
Check the key’s operation and resource grants. If Brigg-Act-As is supplied, the key must be authorized to delegate to that member. |
| 404 | not_found |
The requested operation or resource is not available to this credential. |
| 429 | rate_limited |
Wait for Retry-After before retrying. |
Next steps
JSON schemas
Use the complete schemas for validation or client generation.
Full request JSON schema
{
"type": "object",
"properties": {
"file_id": {
"type": "string",
"minLength": 1,
"description": "Use a file_id returned by this listing or by CompleteUpload. It is not an upload ID, storage path or filename. [documents.ListDocuments](/reference/documents/ListDocuments)."
}
},
"required": [
"file_id"
],
"additionalProperties": false,
"examples": [
{
"file_id": "f_agreement"
}
]
}Full response JSON schema
{
"type": "object",
"properties": {
"file_id": {
"type": "string",
"description": "Stable file ID returned by documents.CompleteUpload, documents.ListDocuments or a document creation operation. Use the same ID for downloads, attachments and supported file-based workflows. Do not use a filename or storage path."
},
"filename": {
"type": "string",
"description": "Original filename, including its extension."
},
"content_type": {
"type": [
"string",
"null"
],
"description": "Media type of the file, such as application/pdf. Null when no binary file exists."
},
"size_bytes": {
"type": [
"number",
"null"
],
"description": "File size in bytes. Null for a document without a downloadable binary file."
},
"visibility": {
"type": "string",
"enum": [
"personal",
"workspace"
],
"description": "Who may read the completed file. Personal files belong to the approved acting member; workspace files use shared access."
},
"scan_status": {
"type": [
"string",
"null"
],
"description": "Recorded scan verdict: clean, threats_found, unsupported, failed, or null when no verdict is recorded. Null does not guarantee download readiness; GetFileDownload rechecks the current scan and permissions."
}
},
"required": [
"file_id",
"filename",
"content_type",
"size_bytes",
"visibility",
"scan_status"
],
"additionalProperties": false,
"examples": [
{
"file_id": "f_agreement",
"filename": "Agreement.pdf",
"content_type": "application/pdf",
"size_bytes": 48231,
"visibility": "workspace",
"scan_status": "clean"
}
]
}