> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://wiki.secrets.ai/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://wiki.secrets.ai/lorebooks/import-and-export.md).
# Importing & Exporting Universes
PREMIUM and ULTIMATE feature. Save Universe Books as files, import a shared setting, and understand what transfers into a new Universe.
{% hint style="info" %}
**Available on PREMIUM and ULTIMATE.** Lorebooks are included for all subscribers on these [plans](/get-started/subscription-tiers-and-limits.md). On FREE, your companions use the [Memory System](/get-started/memory-system.md).
{% endhint %}
Export a **Universe Book** to save its current contents as a `.json` file. You can keep the file as a snapshot, use it to make a separate Universe, or give it to someone else to import into their own account.
**Every import creates a new Universe.** It does not overwrite an existing book, merge entries into one, or change the books your chats use. File transfers currently support **Universe Books**, not companion books or complete chat backups.
## Export a Universe
1. Save any changes to the Universe's Premise, Open threads, and entries.
2. Open **Lorebooks → Universes** and find the book you want to save.
3. Open its **Book actions** menu, shown as three dots on the book's card.
4. Select **Export as JSON**.
5. Save the downloaded file. Your browser may save it automatically or ask where to put it.
Export as JSON is in a Universe's Book actions menu.
The filename comes from the Universe's name. For example, **Asterfall** downloads as `asterfall.universe.json`. Exporting leaves the original Universe and existing chat copies unchanged.
The file is a snapshot of the saved contents at that moment. To save later edits, export again. Give your saved files recognizable names or keep them in dated folders if you want to distinguish versions.
### If the export option is missing
Check that you are on the **Universes** tab. Companion books do not have **Export as JSON**. An archived Universe shows **Unarchive** in place of its actions menu; unarchive it first to reach the export control.
## Import a Universe file
1. Open **Lorebooks → Universes**.
2. Select **Import Universe** near **New book**. The empty Universes view also offers **Import Universe**; if you have no books yet, it appears at the top of Lorebooks.
3. In your device's file picker, choose a Secrets Universe `.json` file.
4. Wait for the import to finish. Selecting the file starts the import; there is no separate confirmation form.
5. When **Universe imported** appears, the new Universe opens. Check its name, Premise, Open threads, and entries.
Import Universe opens your device's file picker.
The imported Universe uses the name saved inside the file. Renaming the downloaded file does not rename the book. If you import the same file twice, you get two separate Universes, even if their names match. [Rename a book](/lorebooks/managing-books.md#name-and-rename-books-clearly) to distinguish your versions.
Importing does not start a conversation. After reviewing the book, follow [Start a private chat from a Universe](/lorebooks/universe-books.md#start-a-private-chat-from-a-universe), or select it for a member while creating a group. Each companion receives their own copy in the usual way.
## What the file includes
| Part of the Universe | What transfers |
| ------------------------------------ | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Name, Premise, and Open threads | The saved name and text. |
| Cast, World, Relationship, and Facts | Current entries, including their sections, titles, descriptions, Content, and ordering. Deleted entries are not included. |
| Keywords | Custom keywords are included. Automatic keywords are generated again when the file is imported. |
| Locks | Locked entries remain locked in the imported Universe. You can still edit them yourself. |
| Pins | Pin choices are included, but an import only keeps the pins that fit the available space. Other entries still import with their content intact. |
The file does **not** include the cover image, previous revisions, deleted entries, conversations, or companion books made from the Universe. Chronicle and chat review queues are not part of a Universe file. Importing creates an active Universe with its own history; set its [cover](/lorebooks/overview.md#change-a-books-cover) separately.
For example, exporting Asterfall saves its starting world. It does not include what happened later in **Asterfall — Mira** or **Asterfall — Ellis**. Exporting a Universe is therefore a way to save or share a setting, rather than a backup of those ongoing stories.
## Share a setting or make a separate version
To share a Universe, export it and give the file to the other person. They can use **Import Universe** on their own PREMIUM or ULTIMATE account. The file contains readable text from your Universe, so the recipient can read its contents as well as import them.
Your books remain independent. Editing either Universe does not update the other person's version. Sending a newer export lets them import another Universe; it does not update their previous import or any chats already started from it.
You can use the same process in your own account to make an alternate version. Export Asterfall, import the file, then rename the new Universe **Asterfall — Winter Coast** before adapting its starting material.
## Supported files and limits
Use a **Secrets Universe export in `.json` format**, up to **5 MB** and **500 entries**. Text fields must also fit the limits shown in the Lorebook editor.
An unrelated JSON file, a character card, or a lorebook export from another service is not automatically compatible. Changing a filename to end in `.json` does not convert it. If you only have text in another format, create a Universe and [add entries in the editor](/lorebooks/entries.md).
You do not need to edit the JSON to use this feature. Make changes in the Lorebook editor, save them, and export again when possible.
## If something goes wrong
Read the message under **Couldn't import this file**. If the file fails validation, no Universe is created from it.
| Message or problem | What to do |
| ---------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **This file isn't valid JSON** or **This isn't a Universe file** | Select the original `.json` download from **Export as JSON**. If someone sent it to you, ask for the exported file rather than copied text. |
| The file comes from a newer version | The current importer cannot read that version. Keep the original file and try again when that version is supported. |
| The file is over **5 MB** or has more than **500 entries** | Prepare smaller Universes and export them separately. |
| A field is too long, missing, or unexpected | Use the named field and entry number to locate the problem. Correct it in the source Universe where possible, then save and export again. |
| An entry needs a title or has the same title as another entry | Give each entry a distinct title within its section, containing at least one letter or number. |
| **You've imported a lot recently** | Wait a while before trying another import. |
| Some entries lost their pins | Check the **Pinned** space on Overview. The entries are still present; shorten them or adjust which ones are pinned. See [Pins and locks](/lorebooks/pins-and-locks.md#if-existing-pins-no-longer-fit). |
| **Couldn't export this Universe** | Check your connection, then retry. If no download appears, check your browser's download list and download permissions. |
If an import was interrupted and you are unsure whether it finished, check **Lorebooks → Universes** before retrying. Each successful import makes a separate book.
**Import Universe** loads a file. **Upgrade memory** moves an existing Secrets chat from its older memory system to a lorebook. For that workflow, use [Upgrading existing memories](/lorebooks/upgrading-memory.md).
