diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 676a21c..b0b07e4 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -81,6 +81,26 @@ Options:
 $ cirro upload --project "Test Project 1" --name "test" --file "sample1.fastq.gz" --file "sample2.fastq.gz" --data-directory "~/data" --data-type "Paired DNAseq (FASTQ)" 
 ```
 
+#### Validating that a dataset matches a local folder
+
+```bash
+Usage: cirro validate [OPTIONS]
+
+  Validate that the contents of a local folder match those of a dataset in Cirro
+
+Options:
+  --dataset TEXT               Name or ID of the dataset
+  --project TEXT               Name or ID of the project
+  --data-directory TEXT        Local directory you wish to validate
+  -i, --interactive            Gather arguments interactively
+  --help                       Show this message and exit.
+
+```
+
+```bash
+$ cirro validate --project "Test Project 1" --dataset "test" --data-directory "~/data"
+```
+
 #### Uploading a reference
 
 ```bash
diff --git a/cirro/cli/__init__.py b/cirro/cli/__init__.py
index dc5b06a..cd7004a 100644
--- a/cirro/cli/__init__.py
+++ b/cirro/cli/__init__.py
@@ -1,9 +1,11 @@
-from cirro.cli.controller import run_ingest, run_download, run_configure, run_list_datasets, run_create_pipeline_config
+from cirro.cli.controller import run_ingest, run_download, run_configure, run_list_datasets
+from cirro.cli.controller import run_create_pipeline_config, run_validate_folder
 
 __all__ = [
     'run_ingest',
     'run_download',
     'run_configure',
     'run_list_datasets',
-    'run_create_pipeline_config'
+    'run_create_pipeline_config',
+    'run_validate_folder'
 ]
diff --git a/cirro/cli/cli.py b/cirro/cli/cli.py
index 7554aa0..91cc6f7 100644
--- a/cirro/cli/cli.py
+++ b/cirro/cli/cli.py
@@ -4,7 +4,8 @@
 import requests
 from cirro_api_client.v1.errors import CirroException
 
-from cirro.cli import run_ingest, run_download, run_configure, run_list_datasets, run_create_pipeline_config
+from cirro.cli import run_create_pipeline_config, run_validate_folder
+from cirro.cli import run_ingest, run_download, run_configure, run_list_datasets
 from cirro.cli.controller import handle_error, run_upload_reference
 from cirro.cli.interactive.utils import InputError
 
@@ -81,6 +82,21 @@ def upload(**kwargs):
     run_ingest(kwargs, interactive=kwargs.get('interactive'))
 
 
+@run.command(help='Validate a dataset exactly matches a local folder', no_args_is_help=True)
+@click.option('--dataset',
+              help='Name or ID of the dataset')
+@click.option('--project',
+              help='Name or ID of the project')
+@click.option('--data-directory',
+              help='Local directory you wish to validate')
+@click.option('-i', '--interactive',
+              help='Gather arguments interactively',
+              is_flag=True, default=False)
+def validate(**kwargs):
+    check_required_args(kwargs)
+    run_validate_folder(kwargs, interactive=kwargs.get('interactive'))
+
+
 @run.command(help='Upload a reference to a project', no_args_is_help=True)
 @click.option('--name',
               help='Name of the reference')
diff --git a/cirro/cli/controller.py b/cirro/cli/controller.py
index 8f61d5f..bf486ab 100644
--- a/cirro/cli/controller.py
+++ b/cirro/cli/controller.py
@@ -15,8 +15,9 @@
 from cirro.cli.interactive.upload_args import gather_upload_arguments
 from cirro.cli.interactive.upload_reference_args import gather_reference_upload_arguments
 from cirro.cli.interactive.utils import get_id_from_name, get_item_from_name_or_id, InputError, validate_files
+from cirro.cli.interactive.validate_args import gather_validate_arguments, gather_validate_arguments_dataset
 from cirro.cli.models import ListArguments, UploadArguments, DownloadArguments, CreatePipelineConfigArguments, \
-    UploadReferenceArguments
+    UploadReferenceArguments, ValidateArguments
 from cirro.config import UserConfig, save_user_config, load_user_config
 from cirro.file_utils import get_files_in_directory
 from cirro.models.process import PipelineDefinition, ConfigAppStatus, CONFIG_APP_URL
@@ -119,6 +120,58 @@ def run_ingest(input_params: UploadArguments, interactive=False):
     logger.info(f"File content validated by {cirro.configuration.checksum_method_display}")
 
 
+def run_validate_folder(input_params: ValidateArguments, interactive=False):
+    _check_configure()
+    cirro = CirroApi()
+    logger.info(f"Collecting data from {cirro.configuration.base_url}")
+
+    logger.info("Listing available projects")
+    projects = cirro.projects.list()
+
+    if len(projects) == 0:
+        raise InputError(NO_PROJECTS)
+
+    if interactive:
+        input_params = gather_validate_arguments(input_params, projects)
+
+        input_params['project'] = get_id_from_name(projects, input_params['project'])
+        datasets = list_all_datasets(project_id=input_params['project'], client=cirro)
+        # Filter out datasets that are not complete
+        datasets = [d for d in datasets if d.status == Status.COMPLETED]
+        input_params = gather_validate_arguments_dataset(input_params, datasets)
+        files = cirro.datasets.get_assets_listing(input_params['project'], input_params['dataset']).files
+
+        if len(files) == 0:
+            raise InputError('There are no files in this dataset to validate against')
+
+        project_id = input_params['project']
+        dataset_id = input_params['dataset']
+
+    else:
+        project_id = get_id_from_name(projects, input_params['project'])
+        datasets = cirro.datasets.list(project_id)
+        dataset_id = get_id_from_name(datasets, input_params['dataset'])
+
+    logger.info("Validating files")
+
+    validation_results = cirro.datasets.validate_folder(
+        project_id=project_id,
+        dataset_id=dataset_id,
+        local_folder=input_params['data_directory']
+    )
+
+    for file_list, label, log_level in [
+        (validation_results.files_matching, "✅ Matched Files (identical in Cirro and locally)", logging.INFO),
+        (validation_results.files_not_matching, "⚠️ Checksum Mismatches (same file name, different content)", logging.WARNING),
+        (validation_results.files_missing, "⚠️ Missing Locally (present in system but not found locally)", logging.WARNING),
+        (validation_results.local_only_files, "⚠️ Unexpected Local Files (present locally but not in system)", logging.WARNING),
+        (validation_results.validate_errors, "⚠️ Validation Failed (checksums may not be available)", logging.WARNING)
+    ]:
+        logger.log(level=log_level, msg=f"{label}: {len(file_list):,}")
+        for file in file_list:
+            logger.log(level=log_level, msg=f" - {file}")
+
+
 def run_download(input_params: DownloadArguments, interactive=False):
     _check_configure()
     cirro = CirroApi()
diff --git a/cirro/cli/interactive/common_args.py b/cirro/cli/interactive/common_args.py
index 7c9f07f..24896e3 100644
--- a/cirro/cli/interactive/common_args.py
+++ b/cirro/cli/interactive/common_args.py
@@ -1,8 +1,16 @@
 from typing import List
 
-from cirro_api_client.v1.models import Project
+from cirro_api_client.v1.models import Project, Dataset
 
-from cirro.cli.interactive.utils import ask
+from cirro.cli.interactive.utils import ask, prompt_wrapper, InputError
+from cirro.models.dataset import DatasetWithShare
+from cirro.utils import format_date
+
+
+def _format_share(dataset: Dataset | DatasetWithShare) -> str:
+    if isinstance(dataset, DatasetWithShare) and dataset.share:
+        return f'({dataset.share.name})'
+    return ''
 
 
 def ask_project(projects: List[Project], input_value: str) -> str:
@@ -21,3 +29,36 @@ def ask_project(projects: List[Project], input_value: str) -> str:
             choices=project_names,
             default=input_value if input_value in project_names else ''
         )
+
+
+def ask_dataset(datasets: List[Dataset], input_value: str, msg_action: str) -> str:
+    if len(datasets) == 0:
+        raise InputError("No datasets available")
+    sorted_datasets = sorted(datasets, key=lambda d: d.created_at, reverse=True)
+    dataset_prompt = {
+        'type': 'autocomplete',
+        'name': 'dataset',
+        'message': f'What dataset would you like to {msg_action}? (Press Tab to see all options)',
+        'choices': [f'{dataset.name} - {dataset.id}' for dataset in sorted_datasets],
+        'meta_information': {
+            f'{dataset.name} - {dataset.id}': f'{format_date(dataset.created_at)} {_format_share(dataset)}'
+            for dataset in datasets
+        },
+        'ignore_case': True
+    }
+    answers = prompt_wrapper(dataset_prompt)
+    choice = answers['dataset']
+    # Map the answer to a dataset
+    for dataset in datasets:
+        if f'{dataset.name} - {dataset.id}' == choice:
+            return dataset.id
+
+    # The user has made a selection which does not match
+    # any of the options available.
+    # This is most likely because there was a typo
+    if ask(
+        'confirm',
+        'The selection does match an option available - try again?'
+    ):
+        return ask_dataset(datasets, input_value, msg_action)
+    raise InputError("Exiting - no dataset selected")
diff --git a/cirro/cli/interactive/download_args.py b/cirro/cli/interactive/download_args.py
index fad0fa3..fe12642 100644
--- a/cirro/cli/interactive/download_args.py
+++ b/cirro/cli/interactive/download_args.py
@@ -4,51 +4,10 @@
 
 from cirro_api_client.v1.models import Dataset, Project
 
-from cirro.cli.interactive.common_args import ask_project
+from cirro.cli.interactive.common_args import ask_project, ask_dataset
 from cirro.cli.interactive.utils import ask, prompt_wrapper, InputError
 from cirro.cli.models import DownloadArguments
-from cirro.models.dataset import DatasetWithShare
 from cirro.models.file import File
-from cirro.utils import format_date
-
-
-def _format_share(dataset: Dataset | DatasetWithShare) -> str:
-    if isinstance(dataset, DatasetWithShare) and dataset.share:
-        return f'({dataset.share.name})'
-    return ''
-
-
-def ask_dataset(datasets: List[Dataset], input_value: str) -> str:
-    if len(datasets) == 0:
-        raise InputError("No datasets available")
-    sorted_datasets = sorted(datasets, key=lambda d: d.created_at, reverse=True)
-    dataset_prompt = {
-        'type': 'autocomplete',
-        'name': 'dataset',
-        'message': 'What dataset would you like to download? (Press Tab to see all options)',
-        'choices': [f'{dataset.name} - {dataset.id}' for dataset in sorted_datasets],
-        'meta_information': {
-            f'{dataset.name} - {dataset.id}': f'{format_date(dataset.created_at)} {_format_share(dataset)}'
-            for dataset in datasets
-        },
-        'ignore_case': True
-    }
-    answers = prompt_wrapper(dataset_prompt)
-    choice = answers['dataset']
-    # Map the answer to a dataset
-    for dataset in datasets:
-        if f'{dataset.name} - {dataset.id}' == choice:
-            return dataset.id
-
-    # The user has made a selection which does not match
-    # any of the options available.
-    # This is most likely because there was a typo
-    if ask(
-        'confirm',
-        'The selection does match an option available - try again?'
-    ):
-        return ask_dataset(datasets, input_value)
-    raise InputError("Exiting - no dataset selected")
 
 
 def ask_dataset_files(files: List[File]) -> List[File]:
@@ -172,6 +131,6 @@ def gather_download_arguments(input_params: DownloadArguments, projects: List[Pr
 
 
 def gather_download_arguments_dataset(input_params: DownloadArguments, datasets: List[Dataset]):
-    input_params['dataset'] = ask_dataset(datasets, input_params.get('dataset'))
+    input_params['dataset'] = ask_dataset(datasets, input_params.get('dataset'), msg_action='download')
     input_params['data_directory'] = ask_directory(input_params.get('data_directory'))
     return input_params
diff --git a/cirro/cli/interactive/utils.py b/cirro/cli/interactive/utils.py
index c038fd2..3baad08 100644
--- a/cirro/cli/interactive/utils.py
+++ b/cirro/cli/interactive/utils.py
@@ -99,7 +99,8 @@ def get_id_from_name(items: List[T], name_or_id: str) -> Optional[str]:
     matched = get_item_from_name_or_id(items, name_or_id)
     if not matched:
         item_type = type(items[0]).__name__
-        raise InputError(f"Could not find {item_type} {name_or_id}")
+        item_names = ", ".join([i.id for i in items])
+        raise InputError(f"Could not find {item_type} {name_or_id} - options: {item_names}")
     return matched.id
 
 
diff --git a/cirro/cli/interactive/validate_args.py b/cirro/cli/interactive/validate_args.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4580bb9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/cirro/cli/interactive/validate_args.py
@@ -0,0 +1,31 @@
+from pathlib import Path
+
+from cirro_api_client.v1.models import Dataset, Project
+
+from cirro.cli.interactive.common_args import ask_project, ask_dataset
+from cirro.cli.interactive.utils import prompt_wrapper
+from cirro.cli.models import ValidateArguments
+
+
+def ask_directory(input_value: str) -> str:
+    directory_prompt = {
+        'type': 'path',
+        'name': 'directory',
+        'only_directories': True,
+        'message': 'What local folder would you like to compare data contents for?',
+        'default': input_value or str(Path.cwd())
+    }
+
+    answers = prompt_wrapper(directory_prompt)
+    return answers['directory']
+
+
+def gather_validate_arguments(input_params: ValidateArguments, projects: list[Project]):
+    input_params['project'] = ask_project(projects, input_params.get('project'))
+    return input_params
+
+
+def gather_validate_arguments_dataset(input_params: ValidateArguments, datasets: list[Dataset]):
+    input_params['dataset'] = ask_dataset(datasets, input_params.get('dataset'), msg_action='validate')
+    input_params['data_directory'] = ask_directory(input_params.get('data_directory'))
+    return input_params
diff --git a/cirro/cli/models.py b/cirro/cli/models.py
index dacfd61..3fd701c 100644
--- a/cirro/cli/models.py
+++ b/cirro/cli/models.py
@@ -20,6 +20,13 @@ class UploadArguments(TypedDict):
     file: Optional[list[str]]
 
 
+class ValidateArguments(TypedDict):
+    dataset: str
+    project: str
+    data_directory: str
+    interactive: bool
+
+
 class ListArguments(TypedDict):
     project: str
     interactive: bool
diff --git a/cirro/file_utils.py b/cirro/file_utils.py
index d486df6..15f6d49 100644
--- a/cirro/file_utils.py
+++ b/cirro/file_utils.py
@@ -53,8 +53,11 @@ def generate_flattened_file_map(files: List[PathLike]) -> Dict[PathLike, str]:
     }
 
 
-def _is_hidden_file(file_path: Path):
-    # Remove hidden files from listing, desktop.ini .DS_Store, etc.
+def is_hidden_file(file_path: Path):
+    """
+    Check if a file path is hidden
+    Such as desktop.ini, .DS_Store, etc.
+    """
     if os.name == 'nt':
         attributes = win32api.GetFileAttributes(str(file_path))
         return attributes & (win32con.FILE_ATTRIBUTE_HIDDEN | win32con.FILE_ATTRIBUTE_SYSTEM)
@@ -86,7 +89,7 @@ def get_files_in_directory(
         if file_path.is_dir():
             continue
 
-        if not include_hidden and _is_hidden_file(file_path):
+        if not include_hidden and is_hidden_file(file_path):
             continue
 
         if not file_path.exists():
diff --git a/cirro/models/dataset.py b/cirro/models/dataset.py
index 14d28ca..37c5bb6 100644
--- a/cirro/models/dataset.py
+++ b/cirro/models/dataset.py
@@ -22,3 +22,12 @@ def from_dataset(cls, dataset: Dataset, share: Share) -> 'DatasetWithShare':
             updated_at=dataset.updated_at,
             share=share
         )
+
+
+@_attrs_define
+class DatasetValidationResponse:
+    files_matching: list[str]
+    files_not_matching: list[str]
+    files_missing: list[str]
+    local_only_files: list[str]
+    validate_errors: list[str]
diff --git a/cirro/models/file.py b/cirro/models/file.py
index f35ae51..cdd2f12 100644
--- a/cirro/models/file.py
+++ b/cirro/models/file.py
@@ -139,6 +139,11 @@ def from_file_entry(cls, file: FileEntry, project_id: str, dataset: DatasetDetai
             access_context=access_context
         )
 
+    @property
+    def normalized_path(self) -> str:
+        """ Without the data prefix """
+        return self.relative_path[len("data/"):]
+
     @property
     def absolute_path(self):
         return f'{self.access_context.base_url}/{self.relative_path.strip("/")}'
diff --git a/cirro/sdk/file.py b/cirro/sdk/file.py
index 03acd1e..bb04c00 100644
--- a/cirro/sdk/file.py
+++ b/cirro/sdk/file.py
@@ -212,11 +212,7 @@ def is_valid(self, local_path: PathLike) -> bool:
         if not local_path:
             raise DataPortalInputError("Must provide local path to validate file")
 
-        try:
-            self.validate(local_path)
-            return True
-        except ValueError:
-            return False
+        return self._client.file.is_valid_file(self._file, local_path)
 
 
 class DataPortalFiles(DataPortalAssets[DataPortalFile]):
diff --git a/cirro/services/dataset.py b/cirro/services/dataset.py
index 4407f95..3bf4793 100644
--- a/cirro/services/dataset.py
+++ b/cirro/services/dataset.py
@@ -1,3 +1,5 @@
+import logging
+from pathlib import Path
 from typing import List, Optional, Union, Dict
 
 from cirro_api_client.v1.api.datasets import get_datasets, get_dataset, import_public_dataset, upload_dataset, \
@@ -6,11 +8,15 @@
 from cirro_api_client.v1.models import ImportDataRequest, UploadDatasetRequest, UpdateDatasetRequest, Dataset, \
     DatasetDetail, CreateResponse, UploadDatasetCreateResponse, FileEntry
 
+from cirro.file_utils import is_hidden_file
 from cirro.models.assets import DatasetAssets, Artifact
+from cirro.models.dataset import DatasetValidationResponse
 from cirro.models.file import FileAccessContext, File, PathLike
 from cirro.services.base import get_all_records
 from cirro.services.file import FileEnabledService
 
+logger = logging.getLogger()
+
 
 class DatasetService(FileEnabledService):
     """
@@ -299,6 +305,63 @@ def upload_files(self,
             file_path_map=file_path_map
         )
 
+    def validate_folder(
+        self,
+        project_id: str,
+        dataset_id: str,
+        local_folder: PathLike
+    ) -> DatasetValidationResponse:
+        """
+        Validates that the contents of a dataset match that of a local folder.
+        """
+        ds_files = self.get_assets_listing(project_id, dataset_id).files
+
+        local_folder = Path(local_folder)
+        if not local_folder.is_dir():
+            raise ValueError(f"{local_folder} is not a valid local folder")
+
+        # Keep track of files from the dataset which match by checksum, don't match, or are missing
+        ds_files_matching = []
+        ds_files_not_matching = []
+        ds_files_missing = []
+        ds_validate_failed = []
+        for ds_file in ds_files:
+            ds_file_path = ds_file.normalized_path
+            # Get the corresponding local file
+            local_file = local_folder / ds_file_path
+            if not local_file.exists():
+                ds_files_missing.append(ds_file_path)
+            else:
+                try:
+                    if self._file_service.is_valid_file(ds_file, local_file):
+                        ds_files_matching.append(ds_file_path)
+                    else:
+                        ds_files_not_matching.append(ds_file_path)
+                except RuntimeWarning as e:
+                    logger.warning(f"File validation failed: {e}")
+                    ds_validate_failed.append(ds_file_path)
+
+        # Find local files that are not in the dataset
+        local_file_paths = [
+            file.relative_to(local_folder).as_posix()
+            for file in local_folder.rglob("*")
+            if not file.is_dir() and not is_hidden_file(file)
+        ]
+        dataset_file_paths = [file.normalized_path for file in ds_files]
+        local_only_files = [
+            file
+            for file in local_file_paths
+            if file not in dataset_file_paths
+        ]
+
+        return DatasetValidationResponse(
+            files_matching=ds_files_matching,
+            files_not_matching=ds_files_not_matching,
+            files_missing=ds_files_missing,
+            local_only_files=local_only_files,
+            validate_errors=ds_validate_failed,
+        )
+
     def download_files(
         self,
         project_id: str,
diff --git a/cirro/services/file.py b/cirro/services/file.py
index b10a28e..f2cf6e7 100644
--- a/cirro/services/file.py
+++ b/cirro/services/file.py
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 import threading
 from datetime import datetime, timezone
 from functools import partial
+from pathlib import Path
 from typing import List, Dict
 
 from botocore.client import BaseClient
@@ -180,6 +181,27 @@ def download_files(self, access_context: FileAccessContext, directory: str, file
             access_context.prefix
         )
 
+    def is_valid_file(self, file: File, local_file: Path) -> bool:
+        """
+        Validates the checksum of a file against a local file
+        See ``validate_file`` method for details.
+
+        Args:
+            file (File): Cirro file to validate
+            local_file (PathLike): Local file path to compare against
+
+        Returns:
+            bool: True if file integrity matches, False otherwise
+
+        Raises:
+            RuntimeWarning: If the remote checksum is not available or not supported
+        """
+        try:
+            self.validate_file(file, local_file)
+            return True
+        except ValueError:
+            return False
+
     def validate_file(self, file: File, local_file: PathLike):
         """
         Validates the checksum of a file against a local file