# Backup and archived chats

Export your settings, guidelines and project memories to a JSON file and import them later. Archive hides chats without deleting them.

*Where in Studio: Studio → Settings → Backup & restore, Archive*

*Last updated: 2026-10-25*

**Backup & restore** saves your app data to a JSON file and brings it back later; chats are never included. **Archive** hides chats from the sidebar without deleting them, and can archive or delete inactive chats for you.

## Back up and restore app data

*Studio → Settings → Backup & restore*

| Included | Not included |
| --- | --- |
| Appearance, notifications, shortcuts and lifecycle preferences | Chats, transcripts, run history and attachments |
| Project instructions, guidelines and subagent profiles | Accounts, login sessions, API keys, OAuth tokens and MCP credentials |
| Enabled agent providers and project memory | Device identity, repositories, worktrees and local file paths |

1. **Export**

   Choose **Export JSON** and pick where to save the file. Studio writes a readable, versioned JSON file and changes nothing in your current data.

2. **Import**

   Choose **Import JSON** and pick a backup file. Studio applies the preferences and merges the project memories. Agent and guideline configuration replaces what this computer has now.

3. **Restart**

   When the import finishes, Studio says how many memory records it imported. Restart Studio to load all agent and guideline settings.

A backup file is at most 16 MB, and Studio accepts only its own backup format.

> **Warning: The file is not encrypted**
>
> The backup is plain JSON. It holds your project memories, instructions and guidelines in readable form. Store it like any other private file.

## Archive chats

*Studio → Settings → Archive*

To archive a chat, right-click it in the sidebar. An archived chat is hidden from the sidebar and never deleted. **Archived sessions** lists archived chats from all your devices, with a search box; **Unarchive** puts a chat back on its device. The sidebar's **Archived** shelf shows them too.

![Settings, Archive: Auto archive on at 3 days, Auto delete off at 15 days, and the archived sessions list.](https://kelrova.com/docs/img/studio-trust/archive.png)

*Archive: automatic cleanup rules above the list of archived sessions.*

## Automatic cleanup

Under **Automatic cleanup**, two rules act on chats with no activity for a number of days you set:

| Rule | Default | What it does |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Auto archive** | On, 3 days | Archives chats after that many days without activity. |
| **Auto delete** | Off, 15 days | Permanently deletes chats after that many inactive days. |

- The rules are settings of this computer. Studio applies them while it is open, at most once an hour.
- They apply to the chats Studio lists for your account, including chats hosted on your other devices.
- A chat that is running or waiting for your answer is never archived or deleted. Runs of automations and workflows are left alone too.
- When both thresholds have passed, deleting wins.

> **Warning: Auto delete cannot be undone**
>
> Auto delete removes chats for good, archived or not. Turn it on only if you do not need old transcripts.

## Related

- [What stays on your computer and what syncs](https://kelrova.com/docs/studio/trust/data)
- [Encryption of synced content](https://kelrova.com/docs/studio/trust/encryption)
- [Remove a device](https://kelrova.com/docs/studio/devices/remove)
- [Settings map](https://kelrova.com/docs/studio/reference/settings)