A method and system for effectively communicating file properties and directory structures within a distributed file system is provided. A manifest that includes properties relating to all of the files used in an application is created. The manifest is distributed to a client before the client has received all of the files or properties associated with an application. The manifest is stored on the client and is used to determine properties and locations of files used within the application. A distributed file system layer is used to receive file and property requests from the application; determine the location of the requested file, or the property using the manifest, and retrieve the property or file using the manifest. A tool may be used to generate the manifest manually or automatically. File system calls within an application may be replaced with calls that use the distributed file system layer. An interpreter may also be used to intercept the file system calls and replace them with calls that use the distributed file system layer.