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OpenCut provides a complete project management system that stores all your work locally in your browser. Projects include your timeline, media assets, settings, and edit history.

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Creating projects

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New project

Start a new video project:
1

Click New Project

From the home screen, click the “New Project” button or use the keyboard shortcut.
2

Enter project name

Give your project a descriptive name (e.g., “Summer Vacation 2024” or “Product Demo”).
3

Start editing

Your new project opens with a default main scene and empty timeline, ready for content.
Each new project starts with:
  • One main scene named “Main scene”
  • Default canvas size (1920x1080)
  • Default frame rate (30 fps)
  • Default background color (black)
  • Empty timeline with no tracks
Source: apps/web/src/core/managers/project-manager.ts:76-118

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Project structure

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What’s included in a project

Every OpenCut project contains:
  • Project name
  • Unique ID
  • Creation date
  • Last updated date
  • Project duration
  • Thumbnail image
  • One or more scenes (compositions)
  • Each scene has its own timeline with tracks
  • Bookmarks and markers
  • Scene settings
  • Canvas size (width x height)
  • Frame rate (fps)
  • Background color or image
  • Original canvas size (if resized)
All uploaded media files:
  • Video files
  • Audio files
  • Image files
  • References to library assets (sounds, stickers)
Your workspace preferences:
  • Zoom level
  • Scroll position
  • Playhead time
Source: apps/web/src/types/project.ts

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Saving projects

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Auto-save

OpenCut automatically saves your work:
  • Saves occur after every editing action
  • Saves are throttled to avoid performance issues
  • A save indicator appears when saving
  • All data is stored locally in your browser
Your work is saved automatically. There’s no “Save” button because you never need it.
Source: apps/web/src/core/managers/save-manager.ts

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Manual save

While auto-save handles most situations, you can force a save:
  • Close the project - triggers a final save and thumbnail update
  • Exit the editor - ensures latest changes are persisted
Source: apps/web/src/core/managers/project-manager.ts:170-191

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Managing projects

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Project library

Access all your projects from the home screen:
  • Recent projects appear first
  • Each project shows:
    • Thumbnail preview
    • Project name
    • Duration
    • Last modified date
  • Click any project to open it
Source: apps/web/src/core/managers/project-manager.ts:197-215

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Searching projects

Find projects quickly:
  1. Use the search box in the project library
  2. Type any part of the project name
  3. Results filter in real-time
  4. Clear the search to see all projects
Source: apps/web/src/core/managers/project-manager.ts:471-502

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Sorting projects

Organize your project library:
Sort optionDescription
Date (newest)Most recently modified first
Date (oldest)Oldest projects first
Name (A-Z)Alphabetical by name
Name (Z-A)Reverse alphabetical
Duration (longest)Longest projects first
Duration (shortest)Shortest projects first
Source: apps/web/src/core/managers/project-manager.ts:471-502

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Renaming projects

Change a project’s name:
1

Access options

Right-click the project card or click the menu icon.
2

Choose rename

Select “Rename” from the menu.
3

Enter new name

Type the new name and press Enter or click Save.
The project’s updated timestamp changes when renamed. Source: apps/web/src/core/managers/project-manager.ts:259-299

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Duplicating projects

Create a copy of an existing project:
1

Select project(s)

Right-click a project or select multiple projects.
2

Choose duplicate

Click “Duplicate” from the menu.
3

Copy created

A new project is created with the name “(2) Original Name” format.
Duplicates include:
  • Complete timeline and all edits
  • All media assets
  • All scenes and settings
  • Independent copy (changes don’t affect original)
Source: apps/web/src/core/managers/project-manager.ts:301-425
Duplicate numbering is smart. If you duplicate “(2) Project Name”, the new copy becomes “(3) Project Name”.

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Deleting projects

Remove projects you no longer need:
1

Select project(s)

Right-click a project or select multiple projects.
2

Choose delete

Click “Delete” from the menu.
3

Confirm deletion

Confirm the deletion in the dialog that appears.
Deleted projects cannot be recovered. This action is permanent.
Deleting removes:
  • The project and all its data
  • All uploaded media assets for that project
  • All edit history
  • All scenes and settings
Source: apps/web/src/core/managers/project-manager.ts:217-249

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Project settings

Configure project-level settings:

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Canvas size

Set the output resolution:
  • 1920x1080 (Full HD) - Default
  • 1280x720 (HD)
  • 3840x2160 (4K)
  • Custom dimensions
Changing canvas size affects:
  • Preview window dimensions
  • Export resolution
  • Element positioning (scaled automatically)

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Frame rate (FPS)

Set the playback and export frame rate:
  • 24 fps - Film standard
  • 30 fps - Default, web standard
  • 60 fps - Smooth motion
Source: apps/web/src/constants/project-constants.ts

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Background

Choose what appears behind your content:
  • Solid color - Single color background
  • Transparent - For overlays and compositing
  • Image - Custom background image
Source: apps/web/src/core/managers/project-manager.ts:427-443

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Data storage

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Where projects are stored

OpenCut uses browser storage:
  • IndexedDB for project data and metadata
  • Local storage for preferences
  • All data stays on your device
  • Nothing is sent to external servers
Your privacy is protected. OpenCut is completely offline-capable and stores all data locally.

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Storage limits

Browser storage limitations:
  • Most browsers allow several GB of storage
  • Quota depends on available disk space
  • You’ll be warned if storage is running low
  • Consider exporting and deleting old projects
Source: apps/web/src/services/storage/service.ts

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Migrations

OpenCut automatically updates project data format:
  • When you open an old project, it migrates to the latest version
  • Migration progress is shown for large projects
  • Original data is preserved during migration
  • Migrated projects work with the latest features
Source: apps/web/src/services/storage/migrations/index.ts

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Best practices

Use descriptive names

Name projects clearly so you can find them later (e.g., “Client Q4 Promo” not “Video 1”).

Duplicate before major changes

Create a duplicate before trying risky edits or major restructuring.

Delete old projects

Regularly remove completed or abandoned projects to free up storage space.

Export finished projects

Once a project is complete and exported, consider deleting it to save space.

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Troubleshooting

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Project won’t load

If a project fails to load:
  1. Refresh the browser
  2. Clear browser cache
  3. Check available storage space
  4. Try opening a different project
Source: apps/web/src/core/managers/project-manager.ts:120-168

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Storage quota exceeded

If you run out of storage:
  1. Delete old or unused projects
  2. Export projects and remove source media
  3. Clear browser cache and data
  4. Use browser settings to increase quota (if available)

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Missing media assets

If media assets don’t load:
  • Assets are tied to specific projects
  • Deleting a project removes its media
  • Re-import media if needed
Source: apps/web/src/core/managers/media-manager.ts

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