Saving, opening and auto-save
Projects are saved as .zen files on your computer. The builder also keeps a draft in the browser so unsaved work can be recovered after a crash or an accidental close.
Save a project
| Action | How | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Save | Click Save | Saves to the current file; the first time, you choose a name and location |
| Save as | Click the arrow beside Save > Save as... (.zen) | Saves a copy under a new name |
| Auto-save | Click the arrow beside Save and tick Auto-save | Saves your changes directly to the .zen file on your computer as you work |
In Chrome and Edge, Save writes straight back to the file you opened. If the browser asks for permission to edit the file when auto-save first runs, allow it so auto-save can keep saving.
In Safari and Firefox, Save and Save as download the project as a file instead.
The .zen format is encrypted. Saving does not ask for a password.
Open a project
Click Open in the toolbar.
Choose a .zen project file. A .json project file can also be opened, but .zen is the recommended format. Files up to 80 MB can be opened.
The project loads with its pages, theme, panel settings and targets.
Start a new project
Click New to start a blank project. Save first if you want to keep the current one.
A confirmation appears first; click Create new project (1) to clear the current work.
Draft recovery
The builder keeps a working draft of the open project in the browser as you edit.
If you try to close the tab with unsaved changes, the browser warns you first.
If the builder is reopened after unsaved work was lost, a recovery banner offers to restore the draft.
The draft lives in that browser on that computer only. It is not a backup: always save the .zen file.
Browser storage is used only after you accept it in the privacy banner. Privacy settings (toolbox footer) shows what is stored and lets you export or clear it.
Good practice
Save a .zen file per site and version it in the name, for example SiteName_Level1_v3.zen.
Use Project metadata > Notes (Page tab) to record the site, revision and installer.
Save reusable layouts as templates (see Starting from a built-in template) and themes via Themes > Export (see Themes and custom colour palettes).
Loading a saved project onto the zencontrol touch switch app is a separate, manual process: see Loading a project onto the touch switch app.
