The Playbook

Download, extract, open.

1. Download the ZIP using the button above and wait for the download to finish.
2. Right-click the ZIP in Windows File Explorer and choose Extract All. Pick a folder you want to keep.
3. Open the extracted The Playbook folder and double-click The Playbook.exe.
4. Keep the executable and all accompanying files together. Do not run it inside the ZIP or move only the EXE.

This is a portable Windows package, not an installation wizard. It does not require Node.js or a ChatGPT account. A new installation starts with no games, purchases, notes or images.

The supplied build is unsigned, so Windows may show a publisher warning. Check that the file came from this download page before deciding whether to run it. This package is for Windows; it is not a phone, macOS or Linux release.

Start with one game.

Choose Add game in the relevant section. The quick form lets you save the basics first; choose Open full editor when you want to enter more detail. Add the title and choose where you want to track it.

• Backlog: games you intend to play eventually.
• Play next: a smaller shortlist to help you choose your next playthrough.
• Wishlist: games you are interested in. They stay separate until you choose to add them to your backlog.
• Games I Bought: your purchase history. A purchase can stay here without becoming a backlog commitment.
• Review and Preview: coverage you are planning or working on.

In the full editor, add platforms, ownership, priority, hours played, start and completion dates, notes, links and media. Save your changes before closing the editor. Select a saved game to inspect its details or edit it later.

Track progress, not just titles.

Update a game as you play: record hours, mark progress, write play notes and add dated journal entries. Separate playthroughs let you keep replay history without losing the current game summary. Early Access history can record impressions of different versions.

Use search, filters and sorting to narrow your collection. Switch between the available board and card layouts, and use Save current filters to keep a useful view. You can return to it through Open a saved filter….

Use Play next to build a manageable shortlist, or Backlog shuffle when you want help choosing. The yearly overview brings together finished games, published reviews and purchase totals.

Purchases and coverage

Record purchase dates and prices in euros. For a bundle, use Bundle purchase to enter the total and its games together. Savings use the regular price at purchase, so enter that value when you want a meaningful comparison.

For reviews and previews, add coverage deadlines, embargo dates, planned publication details, an article or video link, and a coverage checklist. The coverage calendar brings upcoming commitments together.

Use local images or image links.

Add artwork in the game editor using a local file or an HTTP/HTTPS image URL. Local uploads support JPEG, PNG, WebP and GIF, up to 5 MB per image. You can also keep screenshots with a game.

• Local files are copied to the app’s data folder and remain available offline.
• Image links need an internet connection and may stop working if the source changes or removes the image.

Core collection tracking works locally. Loading remote images and following web links still uses the internet. Your records are not automatically synced between computers.

Make a full backup regularly.

1. Choose Full backup at the bottom of the app.
2. Choose a location for the .playbook file. Keep a copy somewhere separate from your everyday data folder.
3. To recover or move your collection, use Restore full backup, choose that file, and read the confirmation before restoring.

A full backup includes records, preferences, saved filters and local images. Restoring it replaces the current desktop records after confirmation. The previous records are retained in a recovery file.

JSON/CSV exports are also available for records and spreadsheets, but use the full backup when you want to preserve local images and the complete setup. Full-backup restore supports up to 512 MB decompressed. For larger collections, close the app and copy the entire data folder.

Where your data lives

Choose Open data folder in the app, or use the Playbook menu. Records are stored at %APPDATA%\ThePlaybook\playbook.json and local images at %APPDATA%\ThePlaybook\images. Keep this folder when updating or moving your data.

A clean download keeps your existing collection.

Before updating, make a full backup and close The Playbook. Extract the new package into a fresh folder, then run its executable. On the same Windows user account, the app loads the existing records from its data folder. The empty starting collection does not overwrite existing records.

If the app will not open, check that extraction completed and that all accompanying files are together. If images fail to load, check the URL and connection or use a local image. For a save or recovery error, preserve the data folder and your backups before making changes.

This package includes the Windows save fix described in its README. Its data handling and package integrity were checked by its creator; native Windows execution was not available in the build environment. Report issues through Contact & Media Kit.