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Minerva SFTP is a secure place to send us your data files and pick up files we prepare for you. You can use a desktop app to drag and drop files from your computer, or follow the terminal instructions below. To send us data: connect, open Incoming, and upload your files. The steps below walk you through the process.

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Connect

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Get your connection details

You’ll need your organization’s Minerva API key, which serves as your SFTP password. To find it, sign in at app.minerva.io, click your organization name in the bottom-left, open the three-dot menu, and choose Settings → API. Copy the key. If you don’t have access, ask your Minerva contact for help. Enter sftp-user exactly as shown; you don’t need to create a separate SFTP account. Use the API key in the password field, rather than your Minerva sign-in password. Keep the key private, just as you would a password.

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Connect with a desktop app

Choose either Cyberduck or FileZilla Client. You only need one. Install it, then follow the matching tab below.
  1. Open Cyberduck and choose File → Open Connection.
  2. In the connection-type menu, select SFTP (SSH File Transfer Protocol).
  3. Enter Server sftp.minerva.io, Port 22, and Username sftp-user.
  4. Paste your Minerva API key into Password.
  5. Click Connect. Once connected, you should see the Incoming and Outgoing folders.
The first time you connect, the app may ask you to trust the server’s identity (its “host key”). Ask your Minerva contact to confirm the fingerprint shown in that message before accepting it.

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Directory layout

A directory is simply a folder. After connecting, you’ll see these two folders: Double-click Incoming to open it before uploading. For example, if you send a file named customers.csv, it should appear inside that folder as Incoming/customers.csv.

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Send your files

Use the file format and naming instructions agreed with your Minerva contact. If you’re unsure which files to send or how to format them, check with your contact before uploading.
  1. In the connected Cyberduck window, double-click Incoming.
  2. Open Finder on Mac or File Explorer on Windows and find the files you want to send.
  3. Drag the files into the open Incoming folder in Cyberduck. You can also choose File → Upload and select the files.
  4. Keep Cyberduck open until every upload has finished successfully. Check the Transfers window, or the status at the bottom of the main Cyberduck window if the uploads aren’t listed under Transfers.
  5. Refresh the folder listing and check that your files appear inside Incoming.
Your files have been sent when the app reports a successful transfer and you can see them in Incoming. You can then disconnect or close the app. A successful upload confirms file delivery; follow the processing and results timeline agreed with your Minerva contact. Let your Minerva contact know which filenames you uploaded and what you’d like us to do with them, unless you’ve already arranged a recurring delivery process. When Minerva has prepared files for you, you’ll find them in Outgoing.

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Send files from a terminal (optional)

On macOS or Linux, you can upload with the sftp command instead of a desktop app. These examples send a file named customers.csv from your Downloads folder. Replace the folder and filename with your own. Before starting, rename files containing *, ?, [ or ] — for example, change report[1].csv to report-1.csv. SFTP treats those characters as filename patterns even inside quotes. Use the renamed file in both the upload and verification commands below.
  1. Open Terminal and go to the folder on your computer that contains your file:
  2. Connect to Minerva:
    On your first connection, you may be asked to confirm the server’s fingerprint. Confirm it with your Minerva contact before typing yes. When asked for a password, paste your Minerva API key and press Enter. Nothing appears while you enter the password; this is normal.
  3. Once you see sftp>, upload your file to Incoming:
    Type only the command shown above; sftp> is the prompt, not part of the command. The file is copied from your computer to Minerva. Keep the quotes if your filename contains spaces. Uploading a file with the same name as an existing file in Incoming replaces it, so use a new filename unless you intend to update the earlier delivery.
  4. Wait for the upload to finish and the sftp> prompt to return without an error. Then check that the file is in Minerva’s folder:
    Replace customers.csv with the filename you uploaded, using quotes around the full path if it contains spaces. The listing shows the file’s name and size. Repeat put and this check for each additional file.
  5. When all files have uploaded, disconnect:
Your files are now in Incoming. Let your Minerva contact know which files you sent, unless you’ve already arranged a recurring delivery process.

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Need help?

  • Can’t connect? Check that the protocol is SFTP, the port is 22, and the password is your Minerva API key. Copy the key again if needed.
  • Upload failed or stopped? Reconnect, open Incoming, and retry the failed files. Wait for the app to confirm success.
  • Asked to replace an existing file? Only replace it if you intend to update the earlier delivery. Otherwise, cancel and check with your Minerva contact.
  • Still stuck? Share the error message and filename with your Minerva contact. Keep your API key out of messages and screenshots.