Docs / User / Marinara data and SillyTavern import

Marinara data and SillyTavern import

Sources: data/where-data-is-stored.md, backup-and-restore.md, importing-from-sillytavern.md.

DATA_DIR layout

DATA_DIR holds all user content (default data beside server; Docker /app/data). Log line
[storage] DATA_DIR=. Env change needs restart.

  • storage/: characters, chats, messages, lorebooks, presets, connections.
  • Assets: avatars, sprites, backgrounds, gallery, fonts, knowledge-sources, game-assets,
    custom-emojis, custom-stickers.
  • .encryption-key: decrypts stored API keys; copy with data or re-enter keys. Or ENCRYPTION_KEY env
    with no file. Android/iOS: use Download Backup (includes key when present).

Backup versus profile

Settings → Advanced → Backup & Export (remote needs Admin Access secret).

Action Contents Restorable
Download Backup Full zip: storage, settings, media, RESTORE.txt, encryption key when present Manual / Import Profile accepts backup zip
Export Profile Native Account + media (marinara-profile.json or zip if large) Yes via Import Profile
Export Profile Compatible Zip of plain character/persona/lore for other tools No Import Profile restore

Restore

Imports tab → Import Profile (JSON/ZIP). Scan then confirm (cannot undo). Recent profiles match by item
identity (re-import updates in place). Very old profiles can duplicate. Missing media: amber warning, rest
imports. Secrets stripped from profile exports: re-enter API keys and webhooks after restore.

SillyTavern single-file import

Settings → Imports → SillyTavern Import:

  • Character JSON/PNG, Chat JSONL (always Roleplay + switch), Preset JSON, Lorebook JSON.
  • Embedded character book may prompt standalone lorebook import.
  • Quick buttons: all tags, regex Character only. Characters panel Import exposes tag mode and regex scope.
  • Chat list import uses open mode tab (CONVO/RP/GM).

Folder wizard access

  • Loopback: no extra secret.
  • Remote browser: server admin secret + Settings → Advanced → Admin Access.
  • IMPORT_ALLOWED_ROOTS: typed paths outside roots rejected; Browse/in-app picker always allowed.

Folder wizard stages

  1. Path to ST root (data/ or public/ inside) → Scan Folder.
  2. Choose categories: Characters, Chats, Group Chats, Presets, Lorebooks, Backgrounds, Personas. Built-in
    ST presets (default, deterministic, neutral, universal-*) start unchecked. Tag mode All / No /
    Existing only (default All). Regex Character only / Global.
  3. Progress per item.
  4. Results: counts; per-item failure lines; Done.

Wizard handling rules

  • Best-effort: one failure records warning and continues.
  • Several chat files for one character import as branches of one chat.
  • Group chats always import as Roleplay.
  • Imported items keep source last-changed date, not import time.

What does not transfer

Documented non-transfer / non-scan:

  • Only the seven categories above are scanned. Global app settings and Quick Replies are not read and
    not imported.
  • Built-in ST presets stay out unless you check them.
  • Any item that fails conversion is skipped (listed in warnings).
  • Secrets and non-selected categories do not come over.

Bunzai

Bunzai hub-and-spoke conversion is not this wizard.