---
title: "Save, open, and import projects"
canonical_url: https://docs.zvid.io/docs/editor/projects/
source: docs/editor/projects.md
content_revision: 6338386a1dd87e4a
---

# Save, open, and import projects

Save an editable cloud draft so you can return to your composition from another browser.

## When to use it

Save a project while developing a video, keep a separate copy before a major change, or import JSON produced by your automation. Saving a draft does not render media or spend rendering credits.

## Before you begin

Sign in to the editor with the account you use at [app.zvid.io](https://app.zvid.io). Importing and exporting JSON are also available without signing in.

## How to save a project

**Navigation:** **Editor → Save**.

1. Click **Save** in the top bar.
2. For a new draft, enter **Project name** in **Save project to your account**.
3. Click **Save project** and wait for the success notification.
4. After editing an already linked project, click **Save** again to update that same cloud draft.

![Zvid editor toolbar with the Save, Render, Export, Examples, New, and Import actions.](https://docs.zvid.io/img/dashboard-guide/editor-project-toolbar.png)

The editor also keeps working state in browser storage. Use a cloud save or [Download JSON](https://docs.zvid.io/docs/editor/export/#how-to-export-json-or-code) for a copy that does not depend on that browser's storage.

## How to open, rename, or copy a project

**Navigation:** **Editor → account menu → My projects**.

1. Click your account avatar and select **My projects**.
2. Click a project's name or **Open**. Its content replaces the current editor document.
3. To rename a saved project, click its **Rename** icon, enter the new name, and press Enter or leave the field.
4. To save the current document as a separate draft, click **Save current as new**, enter a name, and click **Save project**.

The editor's project dialog is a recent-project list. For dashboard project management, see [Projects and renders](https://docs.zvid.io/docs/dashboard/projects-and-renders/).

## How to delete a cloud draft

1. Open **account menu → My projects**.
2. Find the saved project and click **Delete**.
3. Click the same control again when its tooltip reads **Click again to delete**.

> **Cloud deletion is separate from editor undo**
This removes the saved draft from your account. The dialog has no restore action. Deleting the currently open draft removes its cloud link; its working content remains in the editor, where you can save it as a new draft. Do not rely on editor Undo to restore a deleted cloud record.

## How to import project JSON

**Navigation:** **Editor → Import**; on compact screens, **More editor actions → Import**.

1. Save or export the current document if you need to keep it.
2. Click **Import**.
3. Click **Open .json file** to select and immediately import a file, or paste JSON into the editor. **Paste from clipboard** can fill the text area for you.
4. For pasted content, click **Import project**.
5. Review any import warning, then open **Export → Validation** to check the result.

Import replaces the working document. You can use **Undo** to return to its previous content during the editing session.

## How to start from an example

**Navigation:** **Editor → Examples**; on compact screens, **More editor actions → Examples**.

1. Save the current project or export its JSON before loading another composition.
2. Open **Examples**, then select **Videos** or **Images**.
3. Search for a topic and select a category, or choose **All**.
4. Hover a card to play its preview, then click the card to load it into the editor.
5. Edit the example and use **Save** to keep your composition.

Cards marked **PRO** require a paid plan. If a selected category has no results, use **show all matches**; use **clear filters** to reset the search. If the gallery cannot load, click **Retry**.

## Open a project or template by link

An editor link can select a saved project or template:

```text
https://editor.zvid.io/?project=prj_example
https://editor.zvid.io/?template=tpl_example
```

Replace the example identifier with one from your account. A project link connects **Save** to that existing draft. A template link loads the template content for editing without linking it to an existing project draft. The link itself does not grant access to another account's private content.

## Troubleshooting

### Clipboard import fails

**Cause:** The browser could not read the clipboard.

**Solution:** Paste directly into the JSON editor, then click **Import project**. Correct any displayed parsing error before retrying.

### Saving asks me to sign in again

**Cause:** Your account session may have expired.

**Solution:** Sign in when prompted, then retry **Save**. If the request still fails, keep a local copy with **Export → Download JSON** while you resolve the account or network error.

## What happens next

A saved project remains an editable draft. Use [Save as template](https://docs.zvid.io/docs/editor/templates/#how-to-save-a-render-template) when you need a template identifier for repeated renders, or [render and download](https://docs.zvid.io/docs/editor/export/) a finished file.