Files and project folders

New-project layout

New projects use one intentional root:

MyGame/
├─ .gde/
│  └─ project.json
├─ GDE/
│  ├─ Project.md
│  ├─ Ideas/
│  ├─ Design/
│  ├─ World/
│  ├─ Narrative/
│  ├─ Research/
│  ├─ Media/
│  └─ Views/
└─ Game/                 optional engine project

Existing projects are adopted in place. This layout is a starting point, not a requirement to reorganize an existing game.

Project identity

.gde/project.json stores portable project identity and configuration, including the knowledge root, brief and engine bindings. Use Project settings for routine changes. Keep machine-specific executable paths and credentials out of it.

This is an alpha format, not a promised stable external API. Back up or commit a deliberate manual edit before relying on it across tools.

Authored formats

Format	Purpose
.md	Pages, prose, properties, links and fenced diagrams.
.collection.json	An authored collection selection and saved presentation.
.outline.md	An ordered hierarchy of subject references inside a Markdown document.
.timeline.json	Events, eras, date labels and relative chronology.
.map.json	A spatial plan with floors, layers, objects and optional background/calibration.
.canvas	JSON Canvas cards, file references, groups and connections.
.markup.json	Editable image annotations and their source reference.
.experiment.json	A calculation definition, inputs and output expectations.
.narrative.json	An external narrative-tool handoff profile.
.observation.md	A note about recorded media, with timestamp/range and source context.

Relations and backlinks are derived from page links and properties; there is no separate relation database to keep in sync. Original artwork and media remain separate files.

Local configuration

Personal state lives under %LOCALAPPDATA%\GDE, including state.json, local choices and recovery information. The default Scratch location is Documents\GDE\Scratch.

Use Settings and the supported recovery actions before editing or deleting local state by hand. A cache is not the same as an unsent draft or a Run association. See Troubleshooting.

Export selected content

File → Export selected content previews an explicit selection and its referenced material. Available exports include Markdown/media, local HTML and PDF. PDF requires the WebView2 Runtime.

Review omissions and rights notices before export. Choose a new destination folder outside the project; exports do not overwrite an existing destination. An export is a snapshot, not a second editable project authority.