Back up, export, import, and restore Scriby data

Where Scriby stores app data

App data is stored locally at ~/Library/Application Support/Scriby/data.json. Backup folder settings and preferences use macOS UserDefaults.

The app data includes Draft text, saved Snippets and their tags, current in-progress Snippet content, template settings, pinned search-tag ordering, and Snippet review metadata. Scriby Pro authorization is handled separately through Apple StoreKit and is not included in data files.

Export Scriby data

1. Right-click the Scriby menu bar icon.
2. Choose Export....
3. Choose where macOS should write the JSON file.

Export snapshots the current in-memory state, omits soft-deleted Snippets, and preserves literal template placeholders. It does not fill variables or write to the clipboard.

Import by merging or replacing

Choose Import..., select a Scriby JSON file, then choose the confirmed operation:

• Merge combines non-empty Draft text, deduplicates exact Snippet bodies while combining metadata, keeps local pinned tag order first, and conservatively merges template settings.
• Replace replaces the current Draft, Snippets, current Snippet work, template settings, and pinned search tags with the imported state.

Before confirmed Import mutation, Scriby attempts a protective local snapshot when a backup folder is configured. A configured-folder failure warns you but does not block the confirmed operation.

Create a local backup snapshot

1. Right-click the menu bar icon and choose Backup....
2. Use Choose Backup Folder to select a local folder.
3. Use Back Up Now whenever you want an immediate snapshot.

Scriby writes files named scriby-backup-YYYYMMDD-HHMMSS.json. If two snapshots share the same second, the later filename receives a short UUID suffix. Folder Choose/Open, Back Up Now, and Restore from a chosen file stay free.

Optional Automatic backups in Scriby Pro

Automatic backups are Pro, off by default, and local. When enabled, Scriby attempts at most one snapshot per local natural day on ordinary startup, Pro entitlement refresh, or first Panel open. Failed attempts are also throttled for that day.

Retention keeps the newest 30 Scriby snapshot files in the selected folder and leaves other JSON files untouched. Pro also adds recent snapshot convenience rows in Backup.

Restore a backup

In Free, choose a backup JSON file. In Pro, you can also use a recent snapshot row. Scriby confirms replacement and attempts a pre-restore snapshot of current state first when a backup folder is configured.

Restore replaces current Scriby app data. If a configured-folder protective snapshot fails, Scriby asks whether to continue. A Free Restore containing more than 50 non-deleted Snippets is blocked before confirmation, protective backup, or mutation.

What moves with JSON data