## Overview

This article shows how to keep the **Media Library** organized day to day: creating and using
**folders**, working with the **trash** (delete, restore and permanently remove) and tracking how much
space the account uses with the **storage meter**.

Folders give structure to your library; the trash protects you from accidental deletions; and the meter
helps you control the account's storage quota before it hits the limit.

## Prerequisites

- The **Media Library** module enabled and access to it.
- To **permanently delete, empty the trash or delete folders**: an **administrator** role. Agents can
  create folders, move, archive and send files to the trash, but not remove them for good.
- The account's **storage quota** is set by the platform operator.

## Step by step

### Folders

1. In the **Media Library**, find the folder tree on the left.
2. Create a new folder and give it a clear name (for example, by channel, campaign or customer).
3. Create **subfolders** inside another folder to organize in levels when needed.
4. **Move** files into the desired folder by selecting the item and choosing the destination folder.
5. Use **folder search** and tree expansion to navigate large libraries quickly.

### Trash

1. To delete a file, send it to the **trash** — it leaves the main grid but doesn't disappear right
   away.
2. To recover it, open the trash and **restore** the item back to its folder.
3. To remove it for good, use **permanently delete** (an administrator action).
4. Items in the trash are **cleaned up automatically** after a period set by the operator.

### Storage meter

1. Watch the **meter** to see how much of the account's quota is already in use.
2. As you approach the limit, **archive or delete** files you no longer need.
3. Remember: emptying the trash is what actually **frees up space**.

## Settings & options

- **Folder hierarchy**: folders can have several levels; there is a maximum depth limit.
- **Folders by source**: automatic capture organizes files into folders by source (conversation, CRM,
  tasks, catalog). You can rename those folders to match your operation.
- **Trash retention**: the time until automatic cleanup is set by the platform operator.
- **Storage quota**: the total limit is defined by the operator and shown in the meter; the account
  cannot raise that limit on its own.

## Use cases

- Separate assets by **channel** (e.g., WhatsApp, website) or by **campaign** to find everything fast.
- Keep a folder of **official files** (logos, catalogs, price lists) always up to date.
- Recover a mistakenly deleted file from the **trash** without losing work.
- Run a periodic **cleanup** guided by the meter to free up space.

## Tips, limits & best practices

- Standardize **folder naming** so the whole team follows the same convention.
- Before permanently deleting, confirm the file isn't in use in conversations or campaigns.
- Avoid creating **too much depth** of subfolders: very long structures make navigation harder.
- Check the meter **regularly** — it's easier to prevent than to fix at the limit.
- Deleting a file sends it to the trash; only permanent removal (or automatic cleanup) frees the quota.

## Troubleshooting

- **I can't permanently delete / empty the trash**: those actions are limited to administrators.
- **Space didn't go down after deleting**: the file is probably still in the trash — permanently remove
  it or wait for automatic cleanup.
- **I can't find a folder**: use folder search and check whether it's nested inside another (subfolder).
- **I'm near the storage limit**: archive/delete what you don't use and empty the trash; if you need
  more space, contact the platform operator.

## See also

- [Media Library overview](/hc/ajuda/articles/media-overview-en)
- [Reuse saved files in any channel](/hc/ajuda/articles/media-reutilizar-em-qualquer-canal-en)