Task guide

Round-trip a portable model

Import Markdown, export JSON, and inspect the same nodes and flows.

Before you start

Prerequisites: A browser and a backup of existing work.
Permissions and plan: Local import/export needs no account.

Steps

Choose Export & view → Import model. Select Source format, paste the example, and choose Import as new draft; or choose a supported file.
Import creates a local draft without server identity and keeps the previous draft as a recovery copy.
Choose Export & view → Edit source & export, select JSON, and Download source.
Import the exported JSON as a new draft and verify the same node IDs and flows.
Use Edit source & export → Apply changes only when you want to update the current diagram in one undoable action. For account diagrams, applied edits sync to that same saved diagram.

Runnable example

Flowboard Markdown

Copy this model into Import in the editor. Export current work first. The two stable identifiers, api and db, connect the services to the flow.

# Request path

- API {#api type=service x=100 y=120}
- Database {#db type=database x=500 y=120}

## Flows
- api -> db {#requests label="requests" color=#f05a47 speed=1 direction=forward}

Change a label to describe your system. Keep the identifiers the same when you want existing connections to keep referring to those nodes.

Check your work

Expected outcomeTwo nodes and one flow survive a portable export and re-import.

Next steps

Try the workflow in the editor, then use the reference for control details and model syntax.

Open the example or setup page Detailed reference

If a step does not work, keep an export of your model and follow the troubleshooting guide. Include the error message when contacting support, without sharing credentials or private architecture.