Available Free Last reviewed: 24 Oct 2026
The JSON backup saves your project in one file, and the import restores it with a preview.
Both tools are in the “Export & Import” hub. “JSON backup” creates a backup of your project data, independent of the server backup. “Import” restores it. A backup is noted in the export history, visible to all co-authors.
The backup contains the project data, such as books, characters, locations, factions, rules, languages, glossary, calendars, motifs, TODOs, research notes, custom fields and artifacts. A media bundle as a ZIP contains avatars, map images and pronunciation audio. If you have stored a GPG key, you can encrypt the backup with it.
During import, the preview shows the number of elements per module and places conflicts side by side. For each conflict you decide: “Overwrite”, “Skip” or “Create as new element”. Illumentis checks the signature of the file and the quantity limits.
Open “JSON backup” and choose “Create backup”.
What you see afterwards: “Backup created.” The links to the JSON file and, if there is one, to the media bundle appear.
Download the files and keep them in a safe place.
What you see afterwards: The files are on your device.
To restore, open “Import”, choose the JSON file and, optionally, the media bundle ZIP.
What you see afterwards: The preview shows the number of elements per module.
For each conflict, choose “Overwrite”, “Skip” or “Create as new element”.
What you see afterwards: Your decision appears at the element.
Choose “Import selected elements”.
What you see afterwards: A message confirms that the import has finished.
Owners and co-authors with export permission back up and import. If a co-author is restricted to certain books, their backup contains only those books, and Illumentis rejects overwriting outside those books or creating new books through an import. Encrypting with GPG requires an active Vastitas studio and a stored key.
A backup contains the data of your project. With GPG encryption, you open it only with your private key. Keep the backup and the media bundle safe. Every backup appears in the export history.
The import file should come from an Illumentis backup. During import, “Create as new element” creates new entries and respects the quantity limits; elements whose reference is not in the file are skipped by the import with a warning. Without the media ZIP, media references stay empty. For texts from Word, use “Import manuscript”.
The project data such as books, characters, locations, factions, rules, languages, glossary, calendars, motifs, TODOs, research notes, custom fields and artifacts. Media such as avatars, map images and pronunciation audio are in the media bundle.
Store a GPG key in your account settings and choose encryption with your key when you create the backup. This requires an active Vastitas studio of the owner. The file can only be opened with your private key.
The preview warns about orphaned references, and the import skips those rows.
