diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 2a7989e..e12d6bc 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -14,6 +14,10 @@ spawns the BEAM release; in development an existing BEAM can launch the host wit
 | Windows | WebView2 | Done — [docs/status/windows.md](docs/status/windows.md) |
 | Linux | WebKitGTK | Usable — [docs/status/linux.md](docs/status/linux.md) |
 
+HTML `<input type="file">` support is required on all three hosts. The shared E2E
+checks the fixture's DOM contract; native picker selection remains a manual check.
+It is separate from the `dialog.choose_file` RPC. See [docs/protocol.md](docs/protocol.md).
+
 ## Quick start (development)
 
 ```elixir
diff --git a/docs/porting.md b/docs/porting.md
index 60f4937..250163b 100644
--- a/docs/porting.md
+++ b/docs/porting.md
@@ -44,6 +44,22 @@ Do **not** copy macOS UI code into other platforms — share only the protocol.
 10. **Packaged BEAM spawn** + **CI artifact** on tag draft releases
 11. **Test RPC** behind `--edw-test-rpc`; run shared E2E
 
+## HTML file chooser
+
+`<input type="file">` is required on every platform. It is separate from
+`dialog.choose_file`, which is an explicit Elixir RPC. Follow the semantics in
+[protocol.md](protocol.md) and use the platform hook below.
+
+| Platform | Hook | Required integration |
+|----------|------|----------------------|
+| macOS | `WKUIDelegate.webView(_:runOpenPanelWith:initiatedByFrame:completionHandler:)` | Map `WKOpenPanelParameters` to the native panel. Pass selected URLs to the completion handler, or `nil` on cancel. |
+| Windows | WebView2's built-in file picker | Keep the WebView2 UI thread and message loop active. WebView2 has no native file-chooser event for this input; do not replace it with `dialog.choose_file` or CDP file injection. |
+| Linux | WebKitGTK `run-file-chooser` default handler | Keep WebKitGTK's asynchronous default handler enabled, or provide an equivalent handler that completes the request with selected paths or cancellation. |
+
+The shared E2E checks the fixture's DOM contract only. It cannot drive a native
+picker or inject a `FileList`; selection, cancellation, multiple files, and
+directory selection need manual checks until a supported platform test hook exists.
+
 ## Toolchain expectations
 
 ### Windows (`native/windows/`)
@@ -95,6 +111,7 @@ Before flipping a status row to `done`, the corresponding E2E (or an added E2E)
 | Menu / tray / icon / notification | `menu create and notification` |
 | Session reset | `session reset wipes tray and windows` |
 | Permissions + JS eval | `permission policy and simulate` |
+| HTML file input DOM contract | `HTML file input fixture exposes chooser semantics` |
 | Locale / OS string | `system locale and os_description` |
 
 Platform-specific asserts (e.g. `caps["platform"] == "macos"`) must be generalized when the second host lands — use `:os.type()` / host `initialize.platform`.
diff --git a/docs/protocol.md b/docs/protocol.md
index cca0b76..bd6589d 100644
--- a/docs/protocol.md
+++ b/docs/protocol.md
@@ -129,6 +129,31 @@ section disagree, **fix the host** and keep this section as the contract.
 - `webview.rebuild` replaces the engine view inside the same window and returns
   a **new** `webview_id` (old id becomes invalid).
 
+### HTML file inputs
+
+`<input type="file">` is a required webview feature on macOS, Windows, and Linux.
+It is distinct from `dialog.choose_file`: the former is started by web content and
+populates the browser's `FileList`; the latter is an explicit Elixir RPC that
+returns a path.
+
+Every host MUST provide the web engine's native file chooser path and preserve
+these semantics:
+
+- Without `multiple`, the chooser returns at most one file.
+- With `multiple`, it returns every selected file.
+- With `webkitdirectory` (and the engine's directory mode), the user selects a
+  directory and the webview receives its files recursively, not one directory
+  path.
+- Cancel completes with no new selection. It does not clear the current
+  selection or report a new `change` event.
+- `accept` filters should be passed to the native chooser when the engine
+  exposes them. Applications still validate selected files.
+
+The platform hooks for this behavior are listed in [porting.md](porting.md).
+The shared E2E may inspect the fixture's DOM, but it cannot select files or
+populate a `FileList` through JavaScript. Native picker selection and cancellation
+remain manual checks until a supported platform test hook exists.
+
 ### Menus and tray
 
 - The macOS host installs a default `Edit` submenu on the main menu (Undo, Redo,
@@ -275,8 +300,9 @@ Events: `event.menu.click` (`menu_id`, `onclick`), `event.tray.click`.
 | `dialog.choose_directory` | `title?`, `default_path?` | `{path}` or `null` |
 | `dialog.prompt` | `title`, `message`, `default_value?` | `{value}` or `null` |
 
-macOS: `NSOpenPanel` / `NSAlert`. Linux/Windows: may return error `-32004` until ported.
-AppKit dialogs run on the host main thread and block the RPC until dismissed.
+macOS: `NSOpenPanel` / `NSAlert`; Windows: `IFileOpenDialog` / Win32 prompt.
+Linux returns error `-32004` until ported. These RPCs do not implement HTML file
+inputs. AppKit dialogs run on the host main thread and block the RPC until dismissed.
 
 ### Notification / media / system
 
diff --git a/docs/status/linux.md b/docs/status/linux.md
index ada799e..887323f 100644
--- a/docs/status/linux.md
+++ b/docs/status/linux.md
@@ -32,6 +32,7 @@ Host: GTK 4 + WebKitGTK 6 (`native/linux/`). Binary delivery via GitHub Releases
 | Permission policy hybrid | done | |
 | Microphone in webview | done | E2E via test RPC + fixture |
 | Camera in webview | done | E2E via test RPC + fixture |
+| HTML `<input type=file>` | partial | WebKitGTK's asynchronous `run-file-chooser` default handler; native selection and cancellation checks pending |
 | Test RPC channel | done | `--edw-test-rpc` |
 | Release artifact download | todo | |
 | CI build | done | ubuntu-latest + xvfb |
diff --git a/docs/status/macos.md b/docs/status/macos.md
index 5593a77..864a5d1 100644
--- a/docs/status/macos.md
+++ b/docs/status/macos.md
@@ -32,7 +32,8 @@ manual-only with justification).
 | Permission policy hybrid | done | |
 | Microphone in webview | done | E2E via test RPC + fixture |
 | Camera in webview | done | E2E via test RPC + fixture |
-| Dialog choose file/dir | done | `NSOpenPanel` (manual; blocks RPC) |
+| Native dialogs (`dialog.choose_file/dir`) | done | `NSOpenPanel` (manual; blocks RPC) |
+| HTML `<input type=file>` | partial | `WKUIDelegate` open-panel hook; native selection and cancellation checks pending |
 | Dialog prompt | done | `NSAlert` + text field (manual) |
 | EventBridge Env/Window/Menu | done | Elixir unit coverage |
 | Test RPC channel | done | `--edw-test-rpc` |
diff --git a/docs/status/windows.md b/docs/status/windows.md
index 7556a18..c8783bc 100644
--- a/docs/status/windows.md
+++ b/docs/status/windows.md
@@ -32,7 +32,8 @@ Release asset: `DesktopWebView-windows-x64.exe` (GitHub Releases; not Hex `priv/
 | Permission policy hybrid | done | E2E simulate + policy |
 | Microphone in webview | done | Permission RPC + WebView2 kinds |
 | Camera in webview | done | Permission RPC + WebView2 kinds |
-| Native dialogs | done | IFileOpenDialog + Win32 prompt |
+| Native dialogs (`dialog.choose_file/dir`) | done | IFileOpenDialog + Win32 prompt |
+| HTML `<input type=file>` | partial | WebView2's built-in picker; native selection and cancellation checks pending |
 | Host-driven BEAM restart | done | `restart_beam` ini + process wait |
 | Test RPC channel | done | E2E |
 | Release artifact download | todo | Elixir fetch/cache still pending |
diff --git a/native/linux/README.md b/native/linux/README.md
index aa7a93d..174a1b9 100644
--- a/native/linux/README.md
+++ b/native/linux/README.md
@@ -46,6 +46,18 @@ Release artifact name: `DesktopWebView-linux-x86_64` (see [packaging.md](../../d
 
 Headless CI needs a display (`xvfb-run` or a pre-set `DISPLAY`).
 
+## HTML file inputs
+
+WebKitGTK's asynchronous `run-file-chooser` default handler serves
+`<input type="file">`. It handles single files, multiple files, directories,
+and cancellation without using the `dialog.choose_file` RPC.
+
+The shared E2E checks the fixture DOM, but it cannot drive a native picker.
+Manually verify selection and cancellation with
+`test/fixtures/file_input.html`. The chooser uses the GTK desktop portal when
+the desktop session provides one, so the host needs an interactive display for
+manual checks.
+
 ## Structure
 
 | Path | Role |
diff --git a/native/macos/README.md b/native/macos/README.md
index 77f6bf6..4cea905 100644
--- a/native/macos/README.md
+++ b/native/macos/README.md
@@ -21,6 +21,16 @@ Output is copied to `priv/native/macos/DesktopWebView` (universal when both arch
 # prints: listening <port>
 ```
 
+## HTML file inputs
+
+`<input type="file">` uses the `WKUIDelegate` open-panel callback in
+`WebWindow.swift`. The callback maps single, multiple, directory, and cancel
+actions to WebKit's `FileList`.
+
+The shared E2E checks the fixture DOM, but it cannot drive the macOS picker.
+Manually verify selection and cancellation with
+`test/fixtures/file_input.html`, including after `webview.rebuild`.
+
 ## Structure
 
 | File | Role |
diff --git a/native/macos/Sources/DesktopWebView/WebWindow.swift b/native/macos/Sources/DesktopWebView/WebWindow.swift
index dabbb9e..f2b433b 100644
--- a/native/macos/Sources/DesktopWebView/WebWindow.swift
+++ b/native/macos/Sources/DesktopWebView/WebWindow.swift
@@ -106,6 +106,21 @@ final class WebWindowController: NSObject, NSWindowDelegate, WKUIDelegate, WKNav
         return nil
     }
 
+    func webView(
+        _ webView: WKWebView,
+        runOpenPanelWith parameters: WKOpenPanelParameters,
+        initiatedByFrame frame: WKFrameInfo,
+        completionHandler: @escaping ([URL]?) -> Void
+    ) {
+        let panel = NSOpenPanel()
+        panel.canChooseFiles = true
+        panel.canChooseDirectories = parameters.allowsDirectories
+        panel.allowsMultipleSelection = parameters.allowsMultipleSelection
+        panel.beginSheetModal(for: window) { response in
+            completionHandler(response == .OK ? panel.urls : nil)
+        }
+    }
+
     func webView(
         _ webView: WKWebView,
         requestMediaCapturePermissionFor origin: WKSecurityOrigin,
diff --git a/native/windows/README.md b/native/windows/README.md
index 645ea32..940bfa0 100644
--- a/native/windows/README.md
+++ b/native/windows/README.md
@@ -33,6 +33,25 @@ $env:DESKTOP_WEBVIEW_BINARY = "$PWD\priv\native\windows\DesktopWebView.exe"
 mix test.e2e
 ```
 
+## HTML file inputs
+
+Normal HTML file inputs use WebView2's built-in Windows file picker:
+
+- `<input type="file">` selects one file by default.
+- `<input type="file" multiple>` can select multiple files.
+- If the user cancels, the input receives no new files and the page receives no new selection.
+- No host C++ change, JSON-RPC call, CDP interception, or custom picker is needed. The page reads selected files through the normal HTML `input.files` API.
+
+The picker needs an interactive Windows desktop and a working Microsoft Edge
+WebView2 Evergreen Runtime. It cannot show from a service, a headless run, or a
+non-interactive session. Runtime or Windows security restrictions can also
+prevent native UI from appearing, so test with a current runtime in a normal
+desktop session.
+
+This browser feature is separate from the [`dialog.choose_file` JSON-RPC
+method](../../docs/protocol.md#dialog). That method is an explicit host dialog
+request for code that needs a path returned through the Elixir transport.
+
 ## Structure
 
 | Path | Role |
diff --git a/test/e2e/e2e_test.exs b/test/e2e/e2e_test.exs
index faccb74..d1427c9 100644
--- a/test/e2e/e2e_test.exs
+++ b/test/e2e/e2e_test.exs
@@ -71,8 +71,7 @@ defmodule DesktopWebview.E2ETest do
                "height" => 480
              })
 
-    html = File.read!(Path.expand("test/fixtures/media.html"))
-    url = "data:text/html;charset=utf-8," <> URI.encode(html)
+    url = fixture_url("media.html")
 
     assert {:ok, true} = Transport.call("webview.load_url", %{"webview_id" => vid, "url" => url})
     # Give the engine a moment
@@ -99,6 +98,65 @@ defmodule DesktopWebview.E2ETest do
     assert {:ok, true} = Transport.call("window.destroy", %{"window_id" => wid})
   end
 
+  test "HTML file input fixture exposes chooser semantics" do
+    assert {:ok, %{"window_id" => wid, "webview_id" => vid}} =
+             Transport.call("window.open", %{
+               "title" => "File input",
+               "width" => 640,
+               "height" => 480
+             })
+
+    assert {:ok, true} =
+             Transport.call("webview.load_url", %{
+               "webview_id" => vid,
+               "url" => fixture_url("file_input.html")
+             })
+
+    assert :ok = wait_for_file_input(vid)
+
+    # The shared test RPC can inspect DOM state, but cannot drive a native picker.
+    assert {:ok, result} =
+             Transport.call(
+               "test.webview.eval",
+               %{
+                 "webview_id" => vid,
+                 "script" => """
+                 JSON.stringify({
+                   single: {
+                     type: document.querySelector("#single-file").type,
+                     multiple: document.querySelector("#single-file").multiple
+                   },
+                   multiple: {
+                     type: document.querySelector("#multiple-files").type,
+                     multiple: document.querySelector("#multiple-files").multiple
+                   },
+                   directory: {
+                     type: document.querySelector("#directory-files").type,
+                     multiple: document.querySelector("#directory-files").multiple,
+                     webkitdirectory: document.querySelector("#directory-files").hasAttribute("webkitdirectory"),
+                     directory: document.querySelector("#directory-files").hasAttribute("directory")
+                   }
+                 })
+                 """
+               },
+               15_000
+             )
+
+    assert {:ok,
+            %{
+              "single" => %{"type" => "file", "multiple" => false},
+              "multiple" => %{"type" => "file", "multiple" => true},
+              "directory" => %{
+                "type" => "file",
+                "multiple" => true,
+                "webkitdirectory" => true,
+                "directory" => true
+              }
+            }} = Jason.decode(result)
+
+    assert {:ok, true} = Transport.call("window.destroy", %{"window_id" => wid})
+  end
+
   test "window iconize raise hide show does not crash host" do
     assert {:ok, %{"window_id" => wid}} =
              Transport.call("window.open", %{
@@ -243,8 +301,7 @@ defmodule DesktopWebview.E2ETest do
     assert {:ok, %{"window_id" => _wid, "webview_id" => vid}} =
              Transport.call("window.open", %{"title" => "Media", "width" => 400, "height" => 300})
 
-    html = File.read!(Path.expand("test/fixtures/media.html"))
-    url = "data:text/html;charset=utf-8," <> URI.encode(html)
+    url = fixture_url("media.html")
 
     assert {:ok, true} =
              Transport.call("webview.load_url", %{"webview_id" => vid, "url" => url})
@@ -335,4 +392,33 @@ defmodule DesktopWebview.E2ETest do
                  Transport.call("test.menu.list", %{})
     end
   end
+
+  defp fixture_url(filename) do
+    html = File.read!(Path.expand("test/fixtures/#{filename}"))
+    "data:text/html;base64," <> Base.encode64(html)
+  end
+
+  defp wait_for_file_input(webview_id, attempts \\ 30)
+
+  defp wait_for_file_input(_webview_id, 0), do: :error
+
+  defp wait_for_file_input(webview_id, attempts) do
+    ready? =
+      case Transport.call("test.webview.eval", %{
+             "webview_id" => webview_id,
+             "script" =>
+               "document.readyState === \"complete\" && " <>
+                 "document.querySelector(\"#single-file\") !== null"
+           }) do
+        {:ok, true} -> true
+        _ -> false
+      end
+
+    if ready? do
+      :ok
+    else
+      Process.sleep(100)
+      wait_for_file_input(webview_id, attempts - 1)
+    end
+  end
 end
diff --git a/test/fixtures/file_input.html b/test/fixtures/file_input.html
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..12aea94
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/fixtures/file_input.html
@@ -0,0 +1,42 @@
+<!DOCTYPE html>
+<html>
+  <head>
+    <meta charset="utf-8" />
+    <title>EDW File Input Fixture</title>
+  </head>
+  <body>
+    <h1>HTML file input fixture</h1>
+    <p id="status">ready</p>
+    <p>Use this page to check single-file, multiple-file, and directory selection.</p>
+
+    <form>
+      <label>
+        Single file
+        <input id="single-file" type="file" accept=".txt,text/plain" />
+      </label>
+      <br />
+      <label>
+        Multiple files
+        <input id="multiple-files" type="file" multiple />
+      </label>
+      <br />
+      <label>
+        Directory
+        <input id="directory-files" type="file" multiple webkitdirectory directory />
+      </label>
+    </form>
+
+    <script>
+      const status = document.getElementById("status");
+
+      for (const input of document.querySelectorAll('input[type="file"]')) {
+        input.addEventListener("change", () => {
+          status.textContent = `${input.id}:changed`;
+        });
+        input.addEventListener("cancel", () => {
+          status.textContent = `${input.id}:cancelled`;
+        });
+      }
+    </script>
+  </body>
+</html>