tar bundle.
How AgePony sends a folder. age encrypts one stream, so AgePony bundles multiple files into a single uncompressed tar archive and encrypts the archive — producing one .tar.age the recipient can unpack anywhere.
A tar bundle is an uncompressed USTAR-format .tar archive that packs several files into one stream, which AgePony then encrypts to a single .tar.age.
What it is
AgePony writes a standard, uncompressed USTAR tar containing your selected files, then encrypts it with age. The result decrypts to a normal bundle.tar that any tar tool — or the recipient's desktop — can extract.
Why it matters
It keeps AgePony interoperable. Rather than inventing a multi-file container, AgePony leans on the universally supported tar format. The decrypted archive opens with tar xf on any system, no AgePony required.
A recipient unpacks an AgePony bundle with standard age and tar.
Related terms
Common questions.
Is the tar compressed?
No — it is uncompressed USTAR, for maximum compatibility and predictability.
Can the recipient extract it without AgePony?
Yes, with any standard tar tool after decrypting.
Get AgePony
Free file encryption for iOS and Android. No accounts, no tracking, no servers.