July 28, 2026
The archive contract
Your Files export remains an independent, portable copy even as the hosted archive is developed.
01 / Documented format
Your backup is inspectable.
An As Lived Files backup is a regular folder with a versioned manifest.json, JSON Lines records, original media split into ordered chunks, media metadata, and a SHA-256 checksum index. The format identifier is com.storyofme.private.backup.
02 / Versioned migrations
Upgrades never gamble with the only copy.
Every backup declares its schema version. New releases keep readers for released versions or provide a documented, tested migration. Restore validates and stages the result before changing your current archive; the source backup stays untouched.
03 / Forward compatibility
Newer apps keep reading older stories.
We add optional fields when practical. A breaking format change receives a new schema version and a migration path. As Lived will never silently guess at an unknown version or discard fields it does not understand.
04 / If As Lived ends
Discontinuation does not become a data deadline.
For a planned discontinuation, we will give as much notice as reasonably possible, keep the final release able to read and export existing archives, and publish the format notes and recovery instructions for independent use.
05 / Recovery without us
Your exported files do not require an As Lived account.
Unencrypted backups can be inspected with ordinary file and text tools. Records are JSON Lines; original media can be rebuilt by joining its numbered chunks in order. Encrypted backups use documented PBKDF2-HMAC-SHA256 and AES-256-GCM and always require the passphrase only you know.
06 / Checksums, in plain language
Every important file gets a fingerprint.
A SHA-256 checksum is a long fingerprint calculated from a file. When you verify or restore a backup, As Lived calculates it again. A match means the file arrived exactly as saved; a mismatch stops the restore before your current archive is changed.
8f3a…91c2Checked fingerprint8f3a…91c2Match — intactKeep this document with a backup so the promises and recovery notes remain with your story.