# Save and open a .kerf file

Save a project as a .kerf file, with or without the assistant conversation, and open a .kerf file as a project.

A .kerf file holds the complete project: parts, materials, finishes, parameters and the imported models it uses. Use it as a backup, or to move a project to another browser or another person.

## Save a .kerf file with the assistant conversation

Do these steps for a draft. For a saved project, see [Download a saved project as a .kerf file](#download-a-saved-project-as-a-kerf-file).

1. Select **File ▸ Save…**, or press Ctrl+S (⌘S on a Mac).
2. Select **Also download a .kerf file**.
3. Select **Include the assistant conversation in the file**.
4. Click **Save**.

The file holds the conversation and the token usage. It never holds credentials.

## Download a saved project as a .kerf file

1. Select **File ▸ Download .kerf…**. The **Download a .kerf file** dialog opens, and **Also download a .kerf file** is selected.
2. If you want the conversation in the file, select **Include the assistant conversation in the file**.
3. Click **Download**. The button shows **Writing .kerf…** until the file is ready.

KerfCraft saves the project and downloads the file. It does not make a copy of the project. If you change the **Name**, KerfCraft renames the project. The menu shows **Download .kerf…** only for a saved project. For a draft, use **File ▸ Save…**.

## Save a .kerf file without the conversation

Use one of these:

- In **File ▸ Save…** or **File ▸ Download .kerf…**, select **Also download a .kerf file** and clear **Include the assistant conversation in the file**.
- In **File ▸ All projects…**, click **More actions** on the row of a project, then select **Export .kerf…**.
- In **File ▸ Import / Export…**, on the **Export** tab, select **KerfCraft package (.kerf)** and click **Export…**.

The **Export** tab shows what the file keeps and a list of checks on the project before you export it.

If your browser can show a save dialog, it asks where to save the file. If not, the file goes to your downloads folder. The status bar shows the name of the file when it is saved.

## Open a .kerf file

1. Select **File ▸ Open file…**.
2. Select the .kerf file.

The file opens as a saved project, and the status bar shows **Opened** and the file name. If the file holds an assistant conversation, the conversation opens with it.

If the same project is already in your projects, the file opens as a separate copy. Your saved project does not change.

To add the contents of a .kerf file to the open project instead, use **File ▸ Insert from file…**.