Project File Identifier

What it is for

You find a file called project.json in your downloads, or a colleague sends you something that "opens in one of those usefulweb apps". Which app is it for, which project is it, and is it complete? The Project File Identifier answers that from the file's content, not from its name.

It reads the format marker that every premium app writes into its project files and recognises 54 formats of the 27 apps — from Kerfwise cabinet projects and Form Studio files to Flipline exposure sheets, Lumina palettes and Bundlekeep backups. It also counts embedded data (pictures stored inside the project), computes a SHA-256 checksum of the exact text and suggests a sensible file name.

The tool does not open, repair or convert the project, and it cannot tell whether a particular app version will still open an old file.

Worked example

The first example pastes the "LED with series resistor" circuit from the Ohmforge templates. The tool answered: "Recognised: Ohmforge circuit project, opens in Ohmforge."

The SHA-256 was 57ea75125b44a8784e6b84b321cf3ae296a7a7f7584606a4e30067278bb0a51b, and the suggested file name led-with-series-resistor.ohmforge.json. The "Open in Ohmforge" line links to the Ohmforge workspace, where you open the downloaded file.

The second example is a Paperwell dossier called "Tenancy" that lists two documents. It is recognised as a Paperwell dossier of 139 bytes, with this warning: "This Paperwell dossier lists 2 documents, but their files are not inside it." The third example, a shopping list without a format marker, comes back as "JSON file without a project format" with a warning to check which app opens it.

How to read the result

• App and Format name the program and the kind of project. "Unrecognised format" means valid JSON without a known marker.
• Embedded data items counts data: URLs — photos, textures or audio stored in the file. They are part of the file and travel with it.
• SHA-256 is the fingerprint of the exact text. Change one space and it changes completely, so you can compare two copies reliably.
• Warnings list what the file does not contain: Paperwell document files (unless the dossier was saved with its files), Reelcraft media, and a reminder when a Keysmith project keeps secrets.

Tips and common mistakes

• Paste the whole file. A shortened copy is still JSON but gives a different checksum and may lose the format marker.
• The name comes from inside the project, so two exports of the same project get the same suggestion. Add a date if you keep versions.
• A Paperwell warning is not an error: save the dossier "with files" in Paperwell when you need a complete copy.
• Large files with many embedded photos are fine up to 10 MB; beyond that, keep the project in the app and back it up there.
• For files that are not JSON at all, use File Format Doctor instead.

FAQ

Is my file stored?

No. The tool only reads the text to answer the request and saves no download. For sensitive projects use Bundlekeep in your browser, where nothing leaves your device.

Why does the checksum differ from my file manager's?

The tool hashes the text you pasted. If your editor changed line endings or added a final newline, the bytes differ. Hash the file itself with Hash & HMAC Calculator to compare.

Which apps are recognised?

All 27 premium apps, including several formats for Lumina, Flipline, Kerfwise, Pageboard, Panelcraft and Renderloom.

Can it tell me whether a project is valid for the app?

Only partly. It checks that the file is JSON and recognises the format; the app itself validates the details when you open the file.