diff --git a/frontend/src/stores/files.ts b/frontend/src/stores/files.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..085d2bc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/src/stores/files.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,136 @@
+import { defineStore } from 'pinia'
+import { ref } from 'vue'
+import { useApi } from '@/composables/useApi'
+import { useInstancesStore } from '@/stores/instances'
+
+export interface FileEntry {
+  name: string
+  path: string
+  is_dir: boolean
+  size: number
+  modified: string
+}
+
+/**
+ * Per-instance file browser store.
+ * All operations target `/api/instances/{id}/...` — jailed to instance root.
+ * Guard: if no current instance, list() sets error and bails out early.
+ */
+export const useFilesStore = defineStore('files', () => {
+  const api = useApi()
+
+  const cwd = ref<string>('')
+  const entries = ref<FileEntry[]>([])
+  const loading = ref(false)
+  const error = ref<string | null>(null)
+
+  /** Join two relative path segments with a single forward slash. */
+  function joinPath(base: string, name: string): string {
+    if (!base) return name
+    return `${base}/${name}`
+  }
+
+  function currentId(): string | null {
+    // Retrieve fresh from the store each call — avoids stale closure.
+    return useInstancesStore().currentId
+  }
+
+  /** List a directory. Sets cwd + entries. Does NOT throw — sets error. */
+  async function list(path: string): Promise<void> {
+    const id = currentId()
+    if (!id) {
+      error.value = 'No instance — connect the host agent'
+      entries.value = []
+      return
+    }
+    loading.value = true
+    error.value = null
+    try {
+      const data = await api.get<{ entries: FileEntry[] }>(
+        `/instances/${id}/files?path=${encodeURIComponent(path)}`,
+      )
+      cwd.value = path
+      entries.value = data.entries ?? []
+    } catch (e) {
+      error.value = e instanceof Error ? e.message : 'Failed to load directory'
+    } finally {
+      loading.value = false
+    }
+  }
+
+  /** Read a text file. Returns content string. Throws on error (binary/too big/not found). */
+  async function readFile(path: string): Promise<string> {
+    const id = currentId()
+    if (!id) throw new Error('No instance selected')
+    const data = await api.get<{ content: string }>(
+      `/instances/${id}/file?path=${encodeURIComponent(path)}`,
+    )
+    return data.content ?? ''
+  }
+
+  /** Write / overwrite a text file. Throws on error. */
+  async function writeFile(path: string, content: string): Promise<void> {
+    const id = currentId()
+    if (!id) throw new Error('No instance selected')
+    await api.put(`/instances/${id}/file`, { path, content })
+  }
+
+  /** Delete a file or directory (recursive). Throws on error. */
+  async function del(path: string): Promise<void> {
+    const id = currentId()
+    if (!id) throw new Error('No instance selected')
+    await api.post(`/instances/${id}/files/delete`, { path })
+  }
+
+  /** Rename within the same parent. `name` is the bare new filename. Throws on error. */
+  async function rename(path: string, name: string): Promise<void> {
+    const id = currentId()
+    if (!id) throw new Error('No instance selected')
+    await api.post(`/instances/${id}/files/rename`, { path, name })
+  }
+
+  /** Create a directory (and all missing ancestors). Throws on error. */
+  async function mkdir(path: string): Promise<void> {
+    const id = currentId()
+    if (!id) throw new Error('No instance selected')
+    await api.post(`/instances/${id}/files/mkdir`, { path })
+  }
+
+  /** Create an empty file. Throws on error. */
+  async function mkfile(path: string): Promise<void> {
+    const id = currentId()
+    if (!id) throw new Error('No instance selected')
+    await api.post(`/instances/${id}/files/mkfile`, { path })
+  }
+
+  /** Move a file or directory. Both paths are relative to the instance root. Throws on error. */
+  async function move(path: string, dest: string): Promise<void> {
+    const id = currentId()
+    if (!id) throw new Error('No instance selected')
+    await api.post(`/instances/${id}/files/move`, { path, dest })
+  }
+
+  /** Copy a file or directory. Both paths are relative to the instance root. Throws on error. */
+  async function copy(path: string, dest: string): Promise<void> {
+    const id = currentId()
+    if (!id) throw new Error('No instance selected')
+    await api.post(`/instances/${id}/files/copy`, { path, dest })
+  }
+
+  return {
+    cwd,
+    entries,
+    loading,
+    error,
+    joinPath,
+    list,
+    readFile,
+    writeFile,
+    del,
+    rename,
+    mkdir,
+    mkfile,
+    move,
+    copy,
+  }
+})
diff --git a/frontend/src/views/admin/FileManagerView.vue b/frontend/src/views/admin/FileManagerView.vue
index 098d3b2..e018e70 100644
--- a/frontend/src/views/admin/FileManagerView.vue
+++ b/frontend/src/views/admin/FileManagerView.vue
@@ -1,28 +1,176 @@
 <script setup lang="ts">
-import { computed } from 'vue'
-import { VueFinder, RemoteDriver } from 'vuefinder'
-import { useAuthStore } from '@/stores/auth'
+import { ref, computed, onMounted } from 'vue'
+import { useRouter } from 'vue-router'
+import { useInstancesStore } from '@/stores/instances'
+import { useFilesStore } from '@/stores/files'
+import { useToastStore } from '@/stores/toast'
+import { safeDate, safeFileSize } from '@/utils/formatters'
+import Panel from '@/components/ds/data/Panel.vue'
+import Button from '@/components/ds/core/Button.vue'
 import Icon from '@/components/ds/core/Icon.vue'
+import Alert from '@/components/ds/feedback/Alert.vue'
+import EmptyState from '@/components/ds/feedback/EmptyState.vue'
 
-const auth = useAuthStore()
+const router = useRouter()
+const instancesStore = useInstancesStore()
+const files = useFilesStore()
+const toast = useToastStore()
 
-// Recreate the RemoteDriver reactively so the token stays current across
-// automatic refresh cycles (useApi composable silently rotates accessToken).
-const driver = computed(
-  () =>
-    new RemoteDriver({
-      baseURL: '/api/files',
-      token: auth.accessToken ?? undefined,
-    })
-)
+// ---- Editor state ----
+const editorPath = ref<string | null>(null)
+const editorContent = ref('')
+const editorLoading = ref(false)
+const editorSaving = ref(false)
 
-// Non-persistent config passed to VueFinder per session.
-// maxFileSize in bytes — 10 MB limit matches the backend upload ceiling.
-const finderConfig = {
-  theme: 'midnight',
-  maxFileSize: 10 * 1024 * 1024,
-  showMenuBar: true,
-  showToolbar: true,
+// ---- Inline confirm-delete ----
+const pendingDelete = ref<string | null>(null)
+
+// ---- Sorted entries: dirs first, then alpha ----
+const sortedEntries = computed(() => {
+  return [...files.entries].sort((a, b) => {
+    if (a.is_dir !== b.is_dir) return a.is_dir ? -1 : 1
+    return a.name.localeCompare(b.name)
+  })
+})
+
+// ---- Breadcrumbs from cwd ----
+const breadcrumbs = computed<{ label: string; path: string }[]>(() => {
+  const crumbs: { label: string; path: string }[] = [{ label: 'Root', path: '' }]
+  if (!files.cwd) return crumbs
+  const parts = files.cwd.split('/').filter(Boolean)
+  let acc = ''
+  for (const p of parts) {
+    acc = acc ? `${acc}/${p}` : p
+    crumbs.push({ label: p, path: acc })
+  }
+  return crumbs
+})
+
+// ---- Parent path for "Up" button ----
+const parentPath = computed<string | null>(() => {
+  if (!files.cwd) return null
+  const idx = files.cwd.lastIndexOf('/')
+  return idx < 0 ? '' : files.cwd.slice(0, idx)
+})
+
+// ---- Lifecycle ----
+onMounted(async () => {
+  await instancesStore.fetchInstances()
+  await files.list('')
+})
+
+// ---- Instance switch ----
+async function onInstanceChange(e: Event) {
+  const id = (e.target as HTMLSelectElement).value
+  instancesStore.select(id)
+  editorPath.value = null
+  await files.list('')
+}
+
+// ---- Navigation ----
+async function navigate(path: string) {
+  editorPath.value = null
+  pendingDelete.value = null
+  await files.list(path)
+}
+
+// ---- Open a file in the editor ----
+async function openFile(path: string) {
+  editorLoading.value = true
+  try {
+    const content = await files.readFile(path)
+    editorPath.value = path
+    editorContent.value = content
+  } catch (e) {
+    toast.error(e instanceof Error ? e.message : 'Cannot open file (binary or too large)')
+  } finally {
+    editorLoading.value = false
+  }
+}
+
+function closeEditor() {
+  editorPath.value = null
+  editorContent.value = ''
+}
+
+async function saveFile() {
+  if (!editorPath.value) return
+  editorSaving.value = true
+  try {
+    await files.writeFile(editorPath.value, editorContent.value)
+    toast.success('File saved')
+  } catch (e) {
+    toast.error(e instanceof Error ? e.message : 'Failed to save file')
+  } finally {
+    editorSaving.value = false
+  }
+}
+
+// ---- Toolbar: New folder ----
+async function newFolder() {
+  const name = window.prompt('Folder name:')
+  if (!name || !name.trim()) return
+  if (name.includes('/') || name.includes('\\')) {
+    toast.error('Folder name cannot contain path separators')
+    return
+  }
+  try {
+    await files.mkdir(files.joinPath(files.cwd, name.trim()))
+    toast.success('Folder created')
+    await files.list(files.cwd)
+  } catch (e) {
+    toast.error(e instanceof Error ? e.message : 'Failed to create folder')
+  }
+}
+
+// ---- Toolbar: New file ----
+async function newFile() {
+  const name = window.prompt('File name:')
+  if (!name || !name.trim()) return
+  if (name.includes('/') || name.includes('\\')) {
+    toast.error('File name cannot contain path separators')
+    return
+  }
+  try {
+    await files.mkfile(files.joinPath(files.cwd, name.trim()))
+    toast.success('File created')
+    await files.list(files.cwd)
+  } catch (e) {
+    toast.error(e instanceof Error ? e.message : 'Failed to create file')
+  }
+}
+
+// ---- Row: Rename ----
+async function renameEntry(path: string, isDir: boolean) {
+  const current = path.split('/').pop() ?? path
+  const name = window.prompt('New name:', current)
+  if (!name || !name.trim() || name.trim() === current) return
+  if (name.includes('/') || name.includes('\\')) {
+    toast.error('Name cannot contain path separators')
+    return
+  }
+  try {
+    await files.rename(path, name.trim())
+    toast.success(`${isDir ? 'Folder' : 'File'} renamed`)
+    await files.list(files.cwd)
+    // If currently editing the renamed file, close editor
+    if (editorPath.value === path) closeEditor()
+  } catch (e) {
+    toast.error(e instanceof Error ? e.message : 'Failed to rename')
+  }
+}
+
+// ---- Row: Delete ----
+async function confirmDelete(path: string) {
+  try {
+    await files.del(path)
+    toast.success('Deleted')
+    pendingDelete.value = null
+    await files.list(files.cwd)
+    if (editorPath.value === path) closeEditor()
+  } catch (e) {
+    toast.error(e instanceof Error ? e.message : 'Failed to delete')
+  }
 }
 </script>
 
@@ -41,15 +189,232 @@ const finderConfig = {
       </div>
     </div>
 
-    <!-- VueFinder wrapper — only the outer chrome is re-skinned; internals untouched -->
-    <div class="fm__finder">
-      <VueFinder
-        id="corrosion-filemanager"
-        :driver="driver"
-        :config="finderConfig"
-        locale="en"
-      />
-    </div>
+    <!-- No instances at all -->
+    <Panel v-if="!instancesStore.loading && instancesStore.instances.length === 0">
+      <EmptyState
+        icon="server"
+        title="No host agent connected"
+        description="Install the host agent from the Server page to manage files on your game server."
+      >
+        <template #action>
+          <Button variant="secondary" size="sm" icon="server" @click="router.push('/server')">
+            Go to Server page
+          </Button>
+        </template>
+      </EmptyState>
+    </Panel>
+
+    <template v-else>
+      <!-- Instance selector -->
+      <div v-if="instancesStore.instances.length > 1" class="fm__instance-pick">
+        <span class="fm__field-label">Instance</span>
+        <select
+          class="fm__select"
+          :value="instancesStore.currentId ?? ''"
+          @change="onInstanceChange"
+        >
+          <option v-for="inst in instancesStore.instances" :key="inst.id" :value="inst.id">
+            {{ inst.label || inst.agent_instance_id }} ({{ inst.game }}) · {{ inst.host_hostname }}
+          </option>
+        </select>
+      </div>
+
+      <!-- File browser panel -->
+      <Panel :flush-body="true">
+        <template #title>
+          <!-- Breadcrumb -->
+          <div class="fm__breadcrumb">
+            <button
+              v-for="(crumb, i) in breadcrumbs"
+              :key="crumb.path"
+              class="fm__crumb"
+              :class="{ 'fm__crumb--active': i === breadcrumbs.length - 1 }"
+              :disabled="i === breadcrumbs.length - 1"
+              @click="navigate(crumb.path)"
+            >{{ crumb.label }}</button>
+          </div>
+        </template>
+
+        <template #actions>
+          <!-- Up button -->
+          <Button
+            v-if="parentPath !== null"
+            variant="ghost"
+            size="sm"
+            icon="chevron-left"
+            :disabled="files.loading"
+            @click="navigate(parentPath!)"
+          >
+            Up
+          </Button>
+          <Button
+            variant="ghost"
+            size="sm"
+            icon="folder-open"
+            :disabled="files.loading"
+            @click="newFolder"
+          >
+            New folder
+          </Button>
+          <Button
+            variant="ghost"
+            size="sm"
+            icon="file-text"
+            :disabled="files.loading"
+            @click="newFile"
+          >
+            New file
+          </Button>
+          <Button
+            variant="ghost"
+            size="sm"
+            icon="refresh-cw"
+            :disabled="files.loading"
+            :loading="files.loading"
+            @click="files.list(files.cwd)"
+          />
+        </template>
+
+        <!-- Error state -->
+        <div v-if="files.error && !files.loading" class="fm__padded">
+          <Alert tone="danger" :title="files.error">
+            <template #actions>
+              <Button variant="danger-soft" size="sm" icon="refresh-cw" @click="files.list(files.cwd)">
+                Retry
+              </Button>
+            </template>
+          </Alert>
+        </div>
+
+        <!-- Loading skeleton -->
+        <div v-else-if="files.loading" class="fm__padded fm__loading">
+          <Icon name="loader" :size="18" :stroke-width="2" class="fm__spinner" />
+          <span class="fm__loading-text">Loading…</span>
+        </div>
+
+        <!-- Empty directory -->
+        <EmptyState
+          v-else-if="sortedEntries.length === 0"
+          icon="folder-open"
+          title="Empty directory"
+          description="This directory contains no files or folders."
+        />
+
+        <!-- Entry table -->
+        <table v-else class="fm__table">
+          <thead>
+            <tr>
+              <th class="fm__th fm__th--name">Name</th>
+              <th class="fm__th fm__th--size">Size</th>
+              <th class="fm__th fm__th--date">Modified</th>
+              <th class="fm__th fm__th--actions"></th>
+            </tr>
+          </thead>
+          <tbody>
+            <tr
+              v-for="entry in sortedEntries"
+              :key="entry.path"
+              class="fm__row"
+              :class="{ 'fm__row--active': editorPath === entry.path }"
+            >
+              <!-- Name -->
+              <td class="fm__td fm__td--name">
+                <button
+                  class="fm__entry-btn"
+                  @click="entry.is_dir ? navigate(entry.path) : openFile(entry.path)"
+                >
+                  <Icon
+                    :name="entry.is_dir ? 'folder-open' : 'file-text'"
+                    :size="15"
+                    :stroke-width="1.75"
+                    class="fm__entry-icon"
+                    :class="entry.is_dir ? 'fm__entry-icon--dir' : 'fm__entry-icon--file'"
+                  />
+                  <span class="fm__entry-name">{{ entry.name }}</span>
+                  <Icon v-if="entry.is_dir" name="chevron-right" :size="13" :stroke-width="2" class="fm__entry-chevron" />
+                </button>
+              </td>
+
+              <!-- Size -->
+              <td class="fm__td fm__td--size">
+                {{ entry.is_dir ? '—' : safeFileSize(entry.size, '0 B') }}
+              </td>
+
+              <!-- Modified -->
+              <td class="fm__td fm__td--date">{{ safeDate(entry.modified) }}</td>
+
+              <!-- Row actions -->
+              <td class="fm__td fm__td--actions">
+                <!-- Pending delete confirm -->
+                <template v-if="pendingDelete === entry.path">
+                  <span class="fm__del-confirm-label">Delete?</span>
+                  <Button
+                    variant="danger"
+                    size="sm"
+                    @click="confirmDelete(entry.path)"
+                  >
+                    Yes
+                  </Button>
+                  <Button
+                    variant="ghost"
+                    size="sm"
+                    @click="pendingDelete = null"
+                  >
+                    Cancel
+                  </Button>
+                </template>
+                <template v-else>
+                  <Button
+                    variant="ghost"
+                    size="sm"
+                    icon="pencil"
+                    :title="`Rename ${entry.name}`"
+                    @click="renameEntry(entry.path, entry.is_dir)"
+                  />
+                  <Button
+                    variant="ghost"
+                    size="sm"
+                    icon="trash-2"
+                    :title="`Delete ${entry.name}`"
+                    @click="pendingDelete = entry.path"
+                  />
+                </template>
+              </td>
+            </tr>
+          </tbody>
+        </table>
+      </Panel>
+
+      <!-- File editor panel -->
+      <Panel v-if="editorPath !== null" :title="editorPath">
+        <template #actions>
+          <Button
+            variant="primary"
+            size="sm"
+            icon="save"
+            :loading="editorSaving"
+            @click="saveFile"
+          >
+            Save
+          </Button>
+          <Button variant="ghost" size="sm" icon="x" @click="closeEditor">Close</Button>
+        </template>
+
+        <div v-if="editorLoading" class="fm__padded fm__loading">
+          <Icon name="loader" :size="18" :stroke-width="2" class="fm__spinner" />
+          <span class="fm__loading-text">Loading file…</span>
+        </div>
+        <textarea
+          v-else
+          v-model="editorContent"
+          class="fm__editor"
+          spellcheck="false"
+          autocomplete="off"
+          autocorrect="off"
+          autocapitalize="off"
+        />
+      </Panel>
+    </template>
   </div>
 </template>
 
@@ -76,12 +441,113 @@ const finderConfig = {
   color: var(--text-primary); margin-top: 3px;
 }
 
-/* Finder container — surface panel chrome, VueFinder renders inside */
-.fm__finder {
+/* Instance selector */
+.fm__instance-pick { display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 12px; }
+.fm__field-label { font-size: var(--text-sm); font-weight: 500; color: var(--text-tertiary); }
+.fm__select {
   background: var(--surface-base);
-  border-radius: var(--radius-lg);
-  box-shadow: var(--ring-default);
-  overflow: hidden;
-  min-height: 640px;
+  color: var(--text-primary);
+  border: none;
+  box-shadow: var(--ring-subtle);
+  border-radius: var(--radius-md);
+  padding: 8px 12px;
+  font-size: var(--text-sm);
+  font-family: var(--font-mono);
+  min-width: 280px;
 }
+
+/* Breadcrumb */
+.fm__breadcrumb { display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 2px; flex-wrap: wrap; }
+.fm__crumb {
+  background: none; border: none; cursor: pointer; padding: 0 4px;
+  font-size: var(--text-sm); font-weight: 500; color: var(--text-secondary);
+  border-radius: var(--radius-sm); transition: var(--transition-colors);
+}
+.fm__crumb:hover:not(:disabled) { color: var(--text-primary); background: var(--surface-hover); }
+.fm__crumb:disabled { cursor: default; }
+.fm__crumb--active { color: var(--text-primary); font-weight: 600; }
+.fm__crumb:not(:last-child)::after { content: '/'; margin-left: 4px; color: var(--text-muted); }
+
+/* Loading */
+.fm__padded { padding: 24px 16px; }
+.fm__loading { display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 10px; }
+.fm__spinner { animation: fm-spin 0.75s linear infinite; color: var(--text-tertiary); }
+@keyframes fm-spin { to { transform: rotate(360deg); } }
+.fm__loading-text { font-size: var(--text-sm); color: var(--text-tertiary); }
+
+/* Table */
+.fm__table {
+  width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse;
+  font-size: var(--text-sm); table-layout: fixed;
+}
+.fm__th {
+  padding: 9px 14px; font-size: var(--text-xs); font-weight: 600;
+  color: var(--text-tertiary); text-align: left;
+  border-bottom: 1px solid var(--border-subtle);
+  text-transform: uppercase; letter-spacing: var(--tracking-wider);
+}
+.fm__th--name { width: auto; }
+.fm__th--size { width: 90px; }
+.fm__th--date { width: 180px; }
+.fm__th--actions { width: 130px; }
+
+.fm__row { transition: background var(--dur-fast) var(--ease-standard); }
+.fm__row:hover { background: var(--surface-hover); }
+.fm__row--active { background: var(--accent-soft); }
+.fm__row + .fm__row { border-top: 1px solid var(--border-subtle); }
+
+.fm__td {
+  padding: 8px 14px; color: var(--text-secondary);
+  font-variant-numeric: tabular-nums;
+  white-space: nowrap; overflow: hidden; text-overflow: ellipsis;
+}
+.fm__td--name { width: auto; }
+.fm__td--size { text-align: right; font-family: var(--font-mono); font-size: var(--text-xs); }
+.fm__td--date { font-family: var(--font-mono); font-size: var(--text-xs); color: var(--text-muted); }
+.fm__td--actions {
+  text-align: right;
+  display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: flex-end; gap: 2px;
+  padding-top: 6px; padding-bottom: 6px;
+}
+
+/* Entry button */
+.fm__entry-btn {
+  display: inline-flex; align-items: center; gap: 8px;
+  background: none; border: none; cursor: pointer; padding: 0;
+  color: var(--text-primary); font-size: var(--text-sm); font-weight: 500;
+  max-width: 100%; text-align: left;
+}
+.fm__entry-btn:hover .fm__entry-name { text-decoration: underline; text-decoration-color: var(--border-subtle); }
+.fm__entry-icon--dir { color: var(--accent); }
+.fm__entry-icon--file { color: var(--text-tertiary); }
+.fm__entry-name {
+  overflow: hidden; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;
+  font-family: var(--font-mono); font-size: var(--text-xs);
+}
+.fm__entry-chevron { color: var(--text-muted); flex: none; }
+
+/* Inline delete confirm */
+.fm__del-confirm-label {
+  font-size: var(--text-xs); font-weight: 600; color: var(--danger);
+  margin-right: 6px;
+}
+
+/* File editor textarea */
+.fm__editor {
+  width: 100%;
+  min-height: 400px;
+  background: var(--surface-base);
+  color: var(--text-primary);
+  border: none;
+  box-shadow: var(--ring-subtle);
+  border-radius: var(--radius-md);
+  padding: 14px 16px;
+  font-family: var(--font-mono);
+  font-size: var(--text-xs);
+  line-height: 1.6;
+  resize: vertical;
+  outline: none;
+  display: block;
+}
+.fm__editor:focus { box-shadow: var(--focus-ring); }
 </style>