Offline access

What works offline

All core campaign management features work without internet:

Full offline functionality

Your campaign data is always accessible. It’s stored locally, not in the cloud.

What requires internet

AI features require a connection to process requests:

Online-only features

When you use an AI feature, the relevant campaign text is sent to the engine provider (Anthropic) to generate the response. Campaign Familiar doesn’t store your campaign data on a server - everything lives on your computer.

When you’re offline, Campaign Familiar shows an Offline badge in the app sidebar, and AI actions are unavailable until you reconnect. Core functionality continues normally. Your current grace-period status is shown under Settings -> Usage.

Subscription verification

Campaign Familiar caches your subscription status so you can work offline:

Grace periods

The countdown runs from your last successful subscription check, and the reminder (0-6 days) and prominent warning (7-13 days) appear under Settings -> Usage alongside the sidebar Offline badge. A fresh install that has never synced a subscription isn’t treated as expired - you keep full access and just see the neutral Offline badge, not a warning.

What happens after 14 days

• Core features continue working (you can always access your data)
• AI features are blocked until you reconnect
• Once you reconnect, your subscription is re-verified and AI restores immediately

Manual refresh

If you have internet but subscription seems stuck:

1. Go to Settings -> Subscription
2. Use Manage Subscription to review your plan (or restart the app)
3. Campaign Familiar re-verifies your subscription

Preparing for offline sessions

If you know you’ll be running a game without internet:

Before going offline

1. Generate what you need - Create any AI content while connected
2. Promote ephemeral content - Move Quick Prep content to permanent library
3. Pre-generate backup content - Extra NPCs, encounters, locations
4. Export key content - Create Markdown or JSON backups if desired

During offline sessions

• Reference all your creations normally
• Use sessions and linked content
• Take notes in creation fields or session outcomes
• Everything syncs when you reconnect (though there’s nothing to sync - it’s all local)

Offline Quick Prep alternative

Without AI, Quick Prep doesn’t work. Have backup strategies:

• Pre-drafted material in your library
• Random tables (traditional or digital)
• Improvisation notes in your session

Running games at conventions/events

For running games at locations with unreliable internet:

Before the event

1. Launch Campaign Familiar while connected (this verifies your subscription)
2. Generate and promote all AI content you might need
3. Create a session with linked content
4. Consider exporting to Markdown as a backup

At the event

• AI features keep working offline for about 13 days; everything non-AI works offline indefinitely
• All your campaign data is accessible
• Only AI generation is unavailable

Travel tip

If you’re traveling internationally and might not have internet for extended periods, connect briefly (even on phone hotspot) every 10-12 days to refresh your subscription cache.

Data synchronization

Campaign Familiar doesn’t sync between devices. Your data lives on each computer independently.

If you use multiple computers

To transfer campaigns between computers:

1. Export from computer A:

   • Open a campaign -> campaign sidebar -> Export Campaign -> choose a format
   • Save the export file

2. Transfer the file:

   • USB drive
   • Cloud storage (Dropbox, Google Drive, etc.)
   • Email

3. Import on computer B:

   • Library -> Import to Library -> select the file
   • Review and confirm

Future sync features

Cloud sync may be added in future updates. For now, export/import is the way to transfer data.

Backup recommendations

Since data is local, you’re responsible for backups:

Option 1: copy the data folder

Your data is in:

• Windows: %LOCALAPPDATA%\campaign-familiar\
• macOS: ~/Library/Application Support/campaign-familiar/
• Linux: ~/.local/share/campaign-familiar/

Copy this folder to your backup location (external drive, cloud storage).

Option 2: regular exports

Periodically export your campaigns:

1. Open a campaign -> campaign sidebar -> Export Campaign
2. Choose JSON (complete data) or Markdown (readable format)
3. Save to your backup location

Backup frequency

• Before major sessions - Export your campaign
• Weekly - Copy data folder or export
• Before system changes - Always backup before OS updates, new hardware, etc.

Troubleshooting offline issues

AI features say “offline” but i have internet

1. Check your actual internet connection (can you browse websites?)
2. Go to Settings -> Subscription and use Manage Subscription to check your status
3. Restart Campaign Familiar
4. Check if a firewall is blocking Campaign Familiar

Subscription shows expired but i’m connected

1. Go to Settings -> Subscription
2. Open Manage Subscription and confirm it’s active in the billing portal (check your email for the payment confirmation)
3. Restart Campaign Familiar
4. Contact support if the issue persists

Can’t access campaign data

Campaign data is local and doesn’t depend on your subscription. If you can’t access it:

1. Check if the data folder exists (paths above)
2. Look for the campaign_familiar.duckdb database file in the data folder
3. Try restarting Campaign Familiar
4. See Troubleshooting

Related

• Installation - Where data is stored
• License activation - Subscription management
• Export formats - Backup options
• Troubleshooting - Common issues