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+# betterNAS Part 4: Cloud / Web Layer
+
+This document describes the optional browser, mobile, and cloud-drive style access layer.
+
+## What it is
+
+The cloud/web layer is the part of betterNAS that makes storage accessible beyond local mounts.
+
+This is where we can reuse Nextcloud heavily for:
+- browser file UI
+- uploads and downloads
+- sharing links
+- WebDAV-based cloud access
+- mobile reference behavior
+
+## What it does
+
+- gives users a browser-based file experience
+- supports sharing and link-based access
+- gives us a cloud mode in addition to mount mode
+- can act as a reference surface while the main betterNAS product grows
+
+## What it should not do
+
+- own the product system of record
+- become the only way users access storage
+- swallow control-plane logic that should stay in betterNAS
+
+## Diagram
+
+```text
+                            betterNAS system
+
+   NAS node  <--------->  control plane  <--------->  local device
+      |                           |                                   |
+      |                           |                                   |
+      +---------------------------+-----------------------+-----------+
+                                                          |
+                                                          v
+                                              +----------------------+
+                                              | [THIS DOC] cloud/web |
+                                              |----------------------|
+                                              | Nextcloud adapter    |
+                                              | browser UI           |
+                                              | sharing / mobile     |
+                                              +----------------------+
+```
+
+## Core decisions
+
+- The cloud/web layer is optional but very high leverage.
+- Nextcloud is a strong fit here because it already gives us file UI and sharing primitives.
+- It should sit beside mount mode, not replace it.
+
+## Likely role of Nextcloud
+
+- browser-based file UI
+- share and link management
+- optional mobile and cloud-drive style access
+- adapter over the same storage exports the control plane knows about
+
+## TODO
+
+- Decide whether Nextcloud is directly user-facing in v1 or mostly an adapter behind betterNAS.
+- Define how storage exports from the NAS node appear in the cloud/web layer.
+- Define how shares in this layer map back to control-plane access grants.
+- Define what mobile access looks like in v1.
+- Define branding and how much of the cloud/web layer stays stock vs customized.