Troubleshooting

When the GM tools look broken — what it usually means and what to try next.

Before you panic

Look for a validation popup or snackbar. Messages are literal: "Clipboard is empty.", "No campaign is currently loaded.", and so on. The footer also has Log messages / validation history if you missed the toast.

Deep workflow docs: Quick start and the topic pages in the nav below.

"No campaign is currently loaded"

You opened Edit campaign, Edit zone, or Play campaign without selecting a campaign from the list.

Fix: Campaigns → Edit or Play on a row.

Clipboard import / export

"Clipboard is empty"

Copy the full JSON export first (NPC, template, zone, or player party). On mobile, long-press → Copy, then import immediately.

"Could not read from the clipboard"

Use HTTPS or localhost, grant clipboard permission, copy again. Some phones fail if the clipboard held unrelated content — copy the JSON fresh.

Overwrite dialogs

NPC, template, and zone imports may show Overwrite existing …? Cancel leaves your catalog alone; Overwrite replaces collisions. Read warnings about renames and modified entries.

Party import: characters "pending"

Resolve each Overwrite / Skip on the approval queue, then Save party.

More: How it works · Parties · NPCs · Zones.

Saving and persistence

Which Save button?

  • Save campaign (footer on edit page) — whole campaign snapshot.
  • Save NPC / Save template / Save party / Save zone — also persist the campaign (and zone/party/NPC data).
  • Discard on sub-editors — drops in-memory edits for that editor only.

Zone edits vanished

Save zone before Back to campaign or Edit catalog if you care about the graph surviving a refresh.

Campaign won't save

Check validation: duplicate campaign name, missing campaign name, broken encounter refs on the active zone, duplicate party names inside the campaign.

Play mode issues

Encounter buttons greyed out

Pick a party in session setup. Encounters need someone to fight.

Empty location list

Pick a zone. If the zone is empty, add locations in the zone editor first — or run Custom encounter without a map if you only need a fight.

Campaign missing on tablet

Storage is per browser per device. Export zone (clipboard) or Export all on PC, import on the tablet. See PC to tablet.

More: At the table.

Data loss

Clearing browser data, uninstalling the PWA, or switching browsers wipes local campaigns. Export zones and NPC catalogs to your notes app as backup. There is no cloud undo.

Known limitations (not bugs)

  • No duplicate campaign — export/paste workaround.
  • No GM party export — players send you JSON; you don't push back through the app.
  • No live player sync — conscious clipboard sharing only.
  • Phone zone editing — works; widescreen recommended for sanity.

Still stuck?

Open the app

Open Campaigns →

← Back to Campaign Guide