> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.protoboard.xyz/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.protoboard.xyz/user-guide/projects.md).

# Projects

Create, open, save, and manage your Protoboard boards throughout their lifecycle.

## Goal

Learn how to create new boards, save your work, recover drafts, and manage your projects so you never lose progress.

***

## Creating a new board

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

### Open the Project menu

Click the **Project** menu in the top-left corner of the Protoboard window.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Select New Board

Choose **New Board** from the menu. Your board is named **"Untitled Board"** by default.

{% hint style="info" %}
If you have unsaved changes on your current board, Protoboard will ask you to confirm before creating a new one. Save first or choose to discard changes.
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Rename your board

Open the **Board Identity** tab (notebook icon in the left sidebar) to give your board a meaningful name and description. A clear name like "Motor Driver v2" is much easier to find later than "Untitled Board."
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

***

## Opening an existing board

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="From a local file" %}
Use the **Project** menu and select **Open**. Choose a `.json` board file from your computer. Protoboard uses the browser File System Access API to read local files directly.
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="From pasted JSON" %}
If someone shared raw board JSON with you, use the **Paste JSON** option in the Project menu to load it directly.
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="From a shared URL" %}
Click any Protoboard share link (formatted as `protoboard.xyz/board/{userId}/{boardId}`). The board opens in your browser automatically.
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="From a recovered draft" %}
When you open Protoboard after a crash or unexpected close, you may be offered an **autosave draft** to recover. Choose **Restore** to pick up right where you left off.
{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}

***

## Saving your work

Protoboard gives you multiple ways to make sure your work is safe:

| Save method                     | How it works                                     | When to use                         |
| ------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------ | ----------------------------------- |
| **Quick Save** (Ctrl+S / Cmd+S) | Saves the current board to its existing location | Frequent saving during work         |
| **Save As**                     | Renames the board and creates a new board ID     | Branching into an alternate version |
| **Autosave**                    | Automatic cloud backup                           | Always active in the background     |
| **Local file save**             | Exports a `.json` file to your computer          | Offline backup or file sharing      |

{% hint style="success" %}
An asterisk (**\***) appears in the title bar whenever you have unsaved changes. Once you save, the asterisk disappears.
{% endhint %}

### Board metadata

Every board tracks the following information automatically:

* **Board ID**: unique identifier
* **Name and description**: editable in the Plan tab
* **Author**: the account that created the board
* **Timestamps**: creation date and last update
* **Version counter**: incremented on each save
* **Schema version**: ensures compatibility with Protoboard updates

***

## Common failures

<details>

<summary>I lost my work after closing the browser</summary>

Check for an autosave draft the next time you open Protoboard. If you were signed in, your latest changes should be available in the cloud. For extra safety, use **Ctrl+S** frequently and keep a local file backup of important boards.

</details>

<details>

<summary>I accidentally overwrote my board with a different version</summary>

Use **Save As** when you want to create an alternate version. This gives the new version its own board ID, leaving the original untouched. If you already saved over it, check with your team to see if someone else has a copy of the original shared URL.

</details>

<details>

<summary>The confirmation dialog keeps appearing when I create a new board</summary>

This means you have unsaved changes. Either **Quick Save** (Ctrl+S) your current board first, or choose **Discard** if you do not need the current changes.

</details>

***

## Related pages

* [Planning](/user-guide/planning.md): name, describe, and organize your board
* [Canvas Basics](/user-guide/canvas-basics.md): start building on the canvas after creating a project
* [Sharing / Collaboration](/user-guide/sharing-and-collaboration.md): share your board with others
* [Keyboard Shortcuts](/user-guide/keyboard-shortcuts.md): save time with shortcuts including Quick Save


---

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