> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.sampler.meiji.industries/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# File And Project Management

> Save work intentionally so sessions, exports, and reusable ideas stay organized.

# File and project management

Meiji Sampler supports both lightweight session persistence and explicit project files.

## Two layers of persistence

### Session state

Session state stores working context such as:

* last directory
* pad assignments
* loops
* scenes
* mixer settings
* local overrides

Session state saves automatically. It captures whatever was open when you last quit.

### Project files

Projects are explicit `.meiji` files stored under:

* macOS: `~/Documents/Meiji Sampler/Projects/`
* Windows: `Documents\Meiji Sampler\Projects\`
* Linux: `$XDG_DOCUMENTS_DIR/Meiji Sampler/Projects/` if set, otherwise `~/Meiji Sampler/Projects/`

Use projects when you want a durable named checkpoint rather than just "whatever was open last."

## Managing projects from Settings

All project operations live in the **Project** category of the Settings tab. Press `,` to open Settings — the Project category is the default view.

Press `Ctrl+O` or choose **Open Project** in Settings to open the searchable project browser. Type to filter by project name or path, use the arrow keys to move through the list, and press `Enter` to load the selected project.

From here you can:

* **Save** the current project (or type a name for a first save)
* **Save As** a copy under a new name
* **Open** a saved project from the searchable project browser
* **Create** a new empty project
* **View and open** storage directories (Projects, Recordings, Bounces, Packs)

### Global shortcuts

These shortcuts work from anywhere in the app, outside the Settings tab:

| Key            | Action          |
| -------------- | --------------- |
| `Ctrl+S`       | Save project    |
| `Ctrl+Shift+S` | Save project as |
| `Ctrl+O`       | Open project    |
| `Ctrl+N`       | New project     |

### Unsaved changes

A yellow dot next to the project name indicates unsaved changes. If you try to open or create a project while changes exist, Meiji Sampler asks for confirmation before discarding.

## Recommended habit

* use session persistence for fast daily flow
* save projects for any arrangement you care about keeping

## Project names

When you save a new project, Meiji Sampler pre-fills the name field with a generated suggestion in the format:

```
YYYY-MM-DD adjective noun
```

For example: `2026-04-04 cosmic engine` or `2026-04-04 velvet horizon`.

The date prefix keeps your projects sorted chronologically in the file browser. The adjective-noun pair gives each project a distinct identity without requiring you to think of a name mid-session.

You can edit the suggestion freely before saving. Names are sanitized and saved as `.meiji` files. If a name would overwrite an existing project, the save flow asks for confirmation before proceeding.

## Related pages

* [Settings Reference](/reference/settings)
* [Storage Paths And Project Structure](/reference/storage-paths-and-project-structure)
* [Exporting And Bouncing](/guides/exporting-and-bouncing)