Best cloud storage services with CLI for SliTaz GNU/Linux: (Tutorial)

Introduction

SliTaz GNU/Linux is a lightweight distribution designed for old hardware and minimal resource usage. Despite its small footprint, you can leverage powerful cloud storage services directly from the terminal using CLI tools. This article covers leading cloud providers—pCloud, MEGA, Proton Drive, Filen, Tresorit, Icedrive—and additional options, compares their features, guides you in choosing the best one, and shows how to install and use each CLI tool on SliTaz.

Top Recommendations for SliTaz GNU/Linux

1. pCloud: Easy-to-use, native Linux client, pcloudcc.
2. MEGA: Generous free storage, official mega-cmd.
3. Proton Drive: Zero-knowledge encryption via rclone.
4. Filen: Privacy-focused with rclone support.
5. Tresorit: Enterprise-grade security tresorit-cli.
6. Icedrive: Modern UI rclone or icedrive-cli.
7. Google Drive: Well-known rclone.
8. Dropbox: Popular rclone or dropbox-cli.
9. Backblaze B2: Affordable rclone or b2 CLI.

Comparison Table

Which One to Choose?

• If you need a native client with GUI mount support, go for pCloud or MEGA.
• For maximum privacy with zero-knowledge, choose Proton Drive, Filen or Tresorit.
• On extremely constrained systems, use rclone with any provider for minimal overhead.
• For business or enterprise, Tresorit or Backblaze B2 offer advanced compliance.

Using Each Service via CLI

pCloud

pCloud provides pcloudcc for Linux. Install and mount:

# Install pcloudcc from SliTaz repository
tazpkg get-install pcloudcc

# Authenticate (you will be prompted for credentials)
pcloudcc -u your_email@example.com -p your_password

# Mount to ~/pcloud
mkdir -p ~/pcloud
pcloudcc -m ~/pcloud

Typical problems:

• FUSE permission: add your user to the fuse group.
• Mount fails: ensure /dev/fuse is accessible.

MEGA

Use the official mega-cmd package:

# Install mega-cmd
tazpkg get-install mega-cmd

# Start the background service
mega-cmd-server 

# Log in
mega-login your_email@example.com your_password

# Mount to ~/mega (requires mega-fuse)
tazpkg get-install mega-fuse
mkdir -p ~/mega
mega-mount ~/mega

Typical problems:

• mega-cmd-server not found: check PATH or restart session.
• Mount points stale: unmount with fusermount -u ~/mega before remounting.

Proton Drive (via rclone)

Proton Drive does not have an official CLI, but you can use rclone:

# Install rclone
tazpkg get-install rclone

# Configure Proton Drive
rclone config
# Choose n for new remote, name e.g. proton, choose protondrive

# List files
rclone ls proton:

# Mount remote
mkdir -p ~/proton
rclone mount proton: ~/proton --allow-other 

Typical problems:

• “permission denied”: run with –allow-other and add your user to fuse group.
• Latency: Proton Drive latency can be higher tune cache settings.

Filen (via rclone)

Filen supports rclone out of the box:

# Configure Filen remote
rclone config
# Choose n, name filen, backend filen

# Mount to ~/filen
mkdir -p ~/filen
rclone mount filen: ~/filen --vfs-cache-mode writes 

Typical problems:

• Upload errors: enable –vfs-cache-mode writes.
• Authentication: use application password if 2FA is enabled.

Tresorit

Tresorit CLI is available via their Linux package:

# Download tresorit-cli from official site
wget https://github.com/tresorit/tresorit-cli/releases/download/v2.5.0/tresorit_cli_linux_x64.tar.gz
tar -xzf tresorit_cli_linux_x64.tar.gz
cd tresorit_cli_linux_x64

# Authenticate
./tresorit auth login your_email@example.com

# List tresors
./tresorit tresors list

# Mount tresor
./tresorit mount MyTresor ~/tresor_mount

Typical problems:

• Dependencies missing: install libfuse.
• Version mismatch: check GitHub for latest CLI release.

Icedrive

Icedrive offers a CLI and rclone backend:

# Install icedrive-cli
tazpkg get-install icedrive-cli

# Login
icedrive-cli login your_token_here

# Mount
mkdir -p ~/icedrive
icedrive-cli mount ~/icedrive

Or via rclone:

rclone config  # choose icedrive backend
mkdir -p ~/icedrive
rclone mount icedrive: ~/icedrive --allow-other 

Typical problems:

• CLI crashes: use the rclone backend as fallback.
• Token expired: regenerate in web interface.

Conclusion

On SliTaz GNU/Linux, CLI-based cloud storage provides flexibility and minimal overhead. For seamless native integration, pCloud and MEGA excel. For privacy enthusiasts, Proton Drive, Filen, and Tresorit offer strong encryption. When in doubt, rclone can connect almost any provider. Follow the installation steps, watch for common FUSE or authentication issues, and you’ll have secure, command-line access to your files in no time.