---
updatedAt: 2026-04-21T17:54:35.000Z
agentTools:
  projectIndex: https://docs.v7labs.com/llms.txt
---

# Import files with CLI commands

A CLI how-to guide. SDK power-users can [refer to our full SDK docs generated from our source code here](https://darwin-py-sdk.v7labs.com/)

Some datasets may contain too much data for a simple drag and drop.  You may also want to import existing annotations to the images you've imported.  In each case, **CLI commands** will provide the most effective way to get the data you want into V7.

<Callout icon="🚧" theme="warn">
  You will need Python 3.10 or higher installed to complete these steps
</Callout>

### Basics for using CLI Commands

Open the **Command Prompt** in Windows, or **Terminal** on a Mac.

For each command in these instructions, paste the text into the **Command Prompt** or **Terminal** and hit **Enter** to run the command.

### 1. Setup

Install or update the Darwin Software Development Kit using [these instructions](https://docs.v7labs.com/docs/install-update-the-darwin-sdk).

### 2. Authentication

Next, to enable remote operations, you'll need to generate a team-specific API key.

In V7, head to the **Settings** menu and click **API Keys** to generate a new key

<Image align="center" src="https://files.readme.io/43439e381e574ce01163f5d0d12648a93655a761f15c98b6aafc9c544d426f0f-Jan-27-2025_13-33-47APIkey.gif" />

Name the key, select all access permissions, and click **Create.** Then, copy the access key to your clipboard—you’ll need it shortly

Back in the Command Prompt/Terminal, enter the command below:

```shell
darwin authenticate
```

You'll then be prompted to enter the API key you just created.  Since the key is encrypted, it won’t be visible when you paste it into the Command Prompt or Terminal—this is normal. Go ahead and hit **Enter** after pasting the API key.

Enter **Y** and hit **Enter** when prompted to make \*\*\*\*your team in V7 the default team.

This will create a configuration file on your device at **\~/.darwin/config.yaml.**

Now you're ready to upload your data.

### 3. Upload data

Uploading data uses the 'push' command, which is [detailed on this page](https://docs.v7labs.com/docs/push), but generally follows this structure:

```shell
darwin dataset push team-slug/dataset-slug /path/to/files/
```

Alternatively, you can fetch a pre-written command directly from V7, as shown in the image below. Select **New Dataset** or **Add Data** in an existing dataset to copy the **Command Line Upload** command.  This command allows you to upload data from your device to a V7 dataset.

<Image align="center" src="https://files.readme.io/a09af1e-dataset_ui_cli.gif" />

<Callout icon="📘" theme="info">
  If you're uploading video files, you can specify the extraction rate by entering `--fps\<frame_rate> `to the end of the path that command that V7 creates for you, the default fps being 2.
</Callout>

Replace **/path/to/files/** with the actual path to the folder containing your saved files.

Press Enter one last time to start the upload process.