> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://mintlify.com/OpenCut-app/OpenCut/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Project management

> Create, save, and organize your video projects in OpenCut

OpenCut provides a complete project management system that stores all your work locally in your browser. Projects include your timeline, media assets, settings, and edit history.

## Creating projects

### New project

Start a new video project:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Click New Project">
    From the home screen, click the "New Project" button or use the keyboard shortcut.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter project name">
    Give your project a descriptive name (e.g., "Summer Vacation 2024" or "Product Demo").
  </Step>

  <Step title="Start editing">
    Your new project opens with a default main scene and empty timeline, ready for content.
  </Step>
</Steps>

Each new project starts with:

* One main scene named "Main scene"
* Default canvas size (1920x1080)
* Default frame rate (30 fps)
* Default background color (black)
* Empty timeline with no tracks

Source: `apps/web/src/core/managers/project-manager.ts:76-118`

## Project structure

### What's included in a project

Every OpenCut project contains:

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Metadata">
    * Project name
    * Unique ID
    * Creation date
    * Last updated date
    * Project duration
    * Thumbnail image
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Scenes">
    * One or more scenes (compositions)
    * Each scene has its own timeline with tracks
    * Bookmarks and markers
    * Scene settings
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Settings">
    * Canvas size (width x height)
    * Frame rate (fps)
    * Background color or image
    * Original canvas size (if resized)
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Media assets">
    All uploaded media files:

    * Video files
    * Audio files
    * Image files
    * References to library assets (sounds, stickers)
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Timeline view state">
    Your workspace preferences:

    * Zoom level
    * Scroll position
    * Playhead time
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

Source: `apps/web/src/types/project.ts`

## Saving projects

### Auto-save

OpenCut automatically saves your work:

* Saves occur after every editing action
* Saves are throttled to avoid performance issues
* A save indicator appears when saving
* All data is stored locally in your browser

<Info>
  Your work is saved automatically. There's no "Save" button because you never need it.
</Info>

Source: `apps/web/src/core/managers/save-manager.ts`

### Manual save

While auto-save handles most situations, you can force a save:

* Close the project - triggers a final save and thumbnail update
* Exit the editor - ensures latest changes are persisted

Source: `apps/web/src/core/managers/project-manager.ts:170-191`

## Managing projects

### Project library

Access all your projects from the home screen:

* **Recent projects** appear first
* Each project shows:
  * Thumbnail preview
  * Project name
  * Duration
  * Last modified date
* Click any project to open it

Source: `apps/web/src/core/managers/project-manager.ts:197-215`

### Searching projects

Find projects quickly:

1. Use the search box in the project library
2. Type any part of the project name
3. Results filter in real-time
4. Clear the search to see all projects

Source: `apps/web/src/core/managers/project-manager.ts:471-502`

### Sorting projects

Organize your project library:

| Sort option             | Description                  |
| ----------------------- | ---------------------------- |
| **Date (newest)**       | Most recently modified first |
| **Date (oldest)**       | Oldest projects first        |
| **Name (A-Z)**          | Alphabetical by name         |
| **Name (Z-A)**          | Reverse alphabetical         |
| **Duration (longest)**  | Longest projects first       |
| **Duration (shortest)** | Shortest projects first      |

Source: `apps/web/src/core/managers/project-manager.ts:471-502`

### Renaming projects

Change a project's name:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Access options">
    Right-click the project card or click the menu icon.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose rename">
    Select "Rename" from the menu.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter new name">
    Type the new name and press Enter or click Save.
  </Step>
</Steps>

The project's updated timestamp changes when renamed.

Source: `apps/web/src/core/managers/project-manager.ts:259-299`

### Duplicating projects

Create a copy of an existing project:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Select project(s)">
    Right-click a project or select multiple projects.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose duplicate">
    Click "Duplicate" from the menu.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Copy created">
    A new project is created with the name "(2) Original Name" format.
  </Step>
</Steps>

Duplicates include:

* Complete timeline and all edits
* All media assets
* All scenes and settings
* Independent copy (changes don't affect original)

Source: `apps/web/src/core/managers/project-manager.ts:301-425`

<Note>
  Duplicate numbering is smart. If you duplicate "(2) Project Name", the new copy becomes "(3) Project Name".
</Note>

### Deleting projects

Remove projects you no longer need:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Select project(s)">
    Right-click a project or select multiple projects.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose delete">
    Click "Delete" from the menu.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Confirm deletion">
    Confirm the deletion in the dialog that appears.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Warning>
  Deleted projects cannot be recovered. This action is permanent.
</Warning>

Deleting removes:

* The project and all its data
* All uploaded media assets for that project
* All edit history
* All scenes and settings

Source: `apps/web/src/core/managers/project-manager.ts:217-249`

## Project settings

Configure project-level settings:

### Canvas size

Set the output resolution:

* **1920x1080** (Full HD) - Default
* **1280x720** (HD)
* **3840x2160** (4K)
* **Custom dimensions**

Changing canvas size affects:

* Preview window dimensions
* Export resolution
* Element positioning (scaled automatically)

### Frame rate (FPS)

Set the playback and export frame rate:

* **24 fps** - Film standard
* **30 fps** - Default, web standard
* **60 fps** - Smooth motion

Source: `apps/web/src/constants/project-constants.ts`

### Background

Choose what appears behind your content:

* **Solid color** - Single color background
* **Transparent** - For overlays and compositing
* **Image** - Custom background image

Source: `apps/web/src/core/managers/project-manager.ts:427-443`

## Data storage

### Where projects are stored

OpenCut uses browser storage:

* **IndexedDB** for project data and metadata
* **Local storage** for preferences
* All data stays on your device
* Nothing is sent to external servers

<Info>
  Your privacy is protected. OpenCut is completely offline-capable and stores all data locally.
</Info>

### Storage limits

Browser storage limitations:

* Most browsers allow several GB of storage
* Quota depends on available disk space
* You'll be warned if storage is running low
* Consider exporting and deleting old projects

Source: `apps/web/src/services/storage/service.ts`

### Migrations

OpenCut automatically updates project data format:

* When you open an old project, it migrates to the latest version
* Migration progress is shown for large projects
* Original data is preserved during migration
* Migrated projects work with the latest features

Source: `apps/web/src/services/storage/migrations/index.ts`

## Best practices

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Use descriptive names" icon="tag">
    Name projects clearly so you can find them later (e.g., "Client Q4 Promo" not "Video 1").
  </Card>

  <Card title="Duplicate before major changes" icon="copy">
    Create a duplicate before trying risky edits or major restructuring.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Delete old projects" icon="trash">
    Regularly remove completed or abandoned projects to free up storage space.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Export finished projects" icon="download">
    Once a project is complete and exported, consider deleting it to save space.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Troubleshooting

### Project won't load

If a project fails to load:

1. Refresh the browser
2. Clear browser cache
3. Check available storage space
4. Try opening a different project

Source: `apps/web/src/core/managers/project-manager.ts:120-168`

### Storage quota exceeded

If you run out of storage:

1. Delete old or unused projects
2. Export projects and remove source media
3. Clear browser cache and data
4. Use browser settings to increase quota (if available)

### Missing media assets

If media assets don't load:

* Assets are tied to specific projects
* Deleting a project removes its media
* Re-import media if needed

Source: `apps/web/src/core/managers/media-manager.ts`