# General Translation Platform: Download file
URL: https://generaltranslation.com/en-US/docs/platform/openapi/reference/files/download.mdx
---

title: Download file
description: Download a single translated file from a General Translation Project for a locale or version. API reference for Download file.

method: GET
---

Downloads one source or translated file by ID. The file content is returned as base64.

*Note: prefer [Download files](/docs/platform/openapi/reference/files/download-many) for new integrations. This single-file endpoint is retained for backward compatibility.*

## Overview [#overview]

```http
GET https://api2.gtx.dev/v2/project/files/download/:fileId
```

**Permission** `project:files:read` · **Rate limit** Light (300/min)

Fetch one file. To download many files in one call, use [Download files](/docs/platform/openapi/reference/files/download-many).

## How it works [#how-it-works]

- Without a `locale` query parameter, the source file is returned. With `locale`, the matching translation is returned.
- A missing `branchId` resolves to the default branch. A missing `versionId` uses the branch head version.
- The file content is returned base64-encoded in the `data` field. A missing file returns `404`.

## Request [#request]

### Headers

| Header | Description | Required |
| --- | --- | --- |
| `x-gt-api-key` | Project or Organization API key. | Yes |
| `x-gt-project-id` | Project ID. Required when using an Organization key. | No |

### Path parameters

| Parameter | Description | Type | Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `fileId` | Stable file identifier to download. | `string` | Yes |

### Query parameters

| Parameter | Description | Type | Optional | Default |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `locale` | Locale to download. Omit to download the source file. | `string` | Yes | — |
| `branchId` | Branch to read from. | `string` | Yes | Default branch |
| `versionId` | Specific version to download. | `string` | Yes | Branch head version |

## Response [#response]

**Status** `200 OK`

```json title="Response"
{
  "data": "eyJoZWxsbyI6ICJIb2xhIn0="
}
```

## Errors [#errors]

| Status | Cause |
| --- | --- |
| `400` | Missing `fileId`, or `branchId`/`versionId` is not a string. |
| `401` | Missing or invalid API key. |
| `403` | API key lacks `project:files:read`. |
| `404` | File not found. |
| `429` | Rate limit exceeded. |

## Example [#example]

```bash
curl -X GET "https://api2.gtx.dev/v2/project/files/download/file_...?locale=es" \
  -H "x-gt-api-key: gtx-api-..."
```