# Understanding import\_folder

## Why import\_folder exists

By default, it is not secure to give Streamlit app users access to the entire file system of the server that is running the Streamlit application. 

As such, app authors have the ability to configure exactly which files users have access to by passing a folder that users have access to, through the `import_folder` parameter. 

Note that users will have access to all folders and files inside of the `import_folder` recursively.