Where does LocalPM store my data?

LocalPM stores everything in your web browser, using a built-in feature called localStorage. There's no account, no server, and no database behind it. Your projects never leave your device.

What's stored

All your LocalPM data is kept as a single entry under the key localpm-data. It contains:

• Projects
• Stories
• Sprints
• Epics
• Team members
• Standup entries
• Retrospectives

If you pick a light or dark theme with the toolbar's theme button, that choice is stored separately under localpm-theme.

So that it can open offline, LocalPM also keeps a cached copy of its own app files in your browser. That cache holds the app, not your projects.

Every change is saved automatically as you make it. There's no save button.

What this means in practice

• It's private. No one else can see your data unless they use the same browser profile on your device. See Can anyone else see my LocalPM data?.
• It's tied to one browser. Data in Chrome isn't visible in Firefox, and data on your laptop isn't visible on your phone. Different browser profiles are separate too.
• Private windows don't keep it. An incognito or private window discards everything when it closes.
• Clearing site data deletes it. Clearing browsing data, cookies, or site data for selfmadepm.com removes everything permanently.
• LocalPM asks for persistent storage. It asks the browser not to clear its data automatically when your device is low on space. Browsers may grant or decline this, and the Backup & restore panel shows whether yours did, along with how much storage the site uses. Persistent storage doesn't stop you or a cleanup tool from clearing the data, so backups still matter.
• There's a size limit. Browsers typically allow about 5 MB of localStorage per site. That's plenty for text-based project data, but it isn't unlimited.

Viewing the raw data

If you're comfortable with browser developer tools, you can inspect the data: open your browser's developer tools on the LocalPM page, find the storage or application section, and look under Local Storage for selfmadepm.com. Editing it by hand can break the app, so look but don't change.

You don't need developer tools to back up your data. Select Backup in the LocalPM toolbar to export everything as a JSON file. Read Can I back up or export my LocalPM data? for how to keep your data safe.

For the thinking behind this design, read The case for local-first project management and Why your PM tool sends data to someone else's server.