# Downloading documents

Always inspect the filing inventory and choose an explicit artifact key. Formats and attachments vary by filing.

## CLI

Run `betterfilings filing get FILING_ID --json`, then `betterfilings filing download FILING_ID --artifact KEY --output FILE`. The command refuses to overwrite an existing file. `--download-route auto` may use one advertised managed fallback after an eligible direct failure; use `direct` or `managed` to require one route.

## Hosted MCP

Use `filing_get`. Each artifact reports `direct`, `managed`, `manual`, or `unavailable` access with instructions and a fallback. MCP returns metadata and access guidance; it does not place binary document bytes in model context.

Keep direct SEC requests in one host-wide queue: concurrency one, at least 125 ms between starts, at most eight starts per second, honor `Retry-After`, and back off on 403 or 429. Save large files outside model context and retain their filing ID, artifact key, and source URL.