File formats

Every file,
described the same way.

What CrackMac products write to disk, which apps open it, and how each file proves it arrived intact.

The CrackMac envelope

Five details, one rule.

Every file meant to be kept, moved or shared states the same few details at the top. Formats released before this rule keep their older names so installed apps keep working; the list below says where they differ.

Required

format

Which kind of file this is, written as product.kind, for example crackrelay.parcel. Apps refuse identifiers they do not know.

Required

version

A whole number. Apps refuse versions they do not know instead of guessing.

Recommended

producer

The app and version that wrote the file. Shown for information, never trusted.

Recommended

createdAt

When the file was made, with a time zone. Left out when the same input must always give the same bytes.

Archives

files

Every file inside, with its size and SHA-256 fingerprint. An import only succeeds when all of them match and nothing unlisted is present.

Registry

All 12 formats.

Planned formats are designs, not working features. Nothing here is uploaded anywhere: these files stay on your devices unless you share them.

In released products

Relay parcelcrackrelay.parcel · version 1

Files plus the context of a handoff: notes, markers on media and the next step, with a fingerprint for every file.

File
.relay.zip
Written by
CrackOS Relay 2.1.2+, CrackRelay desktop prototype
Opened by
CrackOS Relay 2.1.2+, CrackRelay desktop prototype
Safety
Exactly manifest.json plus one files/ entry per listed file; unsafe or colliding paths are refused; every size and SHA-256 is checked before an import succeeds.
Envelope
Standard envelope
Preview build only

Fieldkit collection backupcrackfieldkit.collection · version 1

Collections and field cards with their observations, interpretations, revisions and original attachments.

File
.zip
Written by
CrackFieldkit 0.1.0 (Android, unreleased)
Opened by
CrackFieldkit 0.1.0 (Android, unreleased)
Safety
Path allowlist, real expanded sizes, entry and size limits, every attachment's SHA-256 and media signature; a conflicting import is refused as a whole. Backups are private and not encrypted.
Envelope
Standard envelope
In released products

CrackArc project foldercrackarc.project · version 1

A world project: project.json identifies it, world.sqlite3 holds characters, places, facts, sources and writing history.

File
(folder)
Written by
CrackArc 1.x
Opened by
CrackArc 1.x
Safety
project.json is checked strictly (unknown keys are refused); a portable copy is verified against its manifest's project identity before it opens.
Envelope
Older names, mapped (identified as fictional-world-project)
In released products

CrackArc context exportcrackarc.export · version 1

A repeatable JSON or Markdown summary of a project, character or place: confirmed facts, assumptions, disputes and open questions.

File
.json, .md
Written by
CrackArc 1.x
Opened by
Any JSON or Markdown reader
Safety
Checked against its schema before it is written. It carries no creation time, so the same project always exports the same bytes.
Envelope
Older names, mapped
In released products

CrackTV setup filecracktv.setup · version 1

Appearance and experience settings for CrackTV, without any personal app data.

File
.json
Written by
CrackTV 0.9+
Opened by
CrackTV 0.9+
Safety
Every setting is range-checked; unknown settings are ignored.
Envelope
Older names, mapped (identified as CrackTV Experience)
In released products

CrackTV box transfercracktv.box-transfer · version 1

Moves a CrackTV setup to another TV box: settings, app order, favorites, hidden apps and collections. Never app files or permissions.

File
.json
Written by
CrackTV 0.10+
Opened by
CrackTV 0.10+
Safety
At most 1 MB, 2,000 apps and 200 collections; app identities and labels are validated; the file is previewed before anything is applied.
Envelope
Older names, mapped (identified as CrackTV Box Transfer)
In released products

CrackMac catalogcrackmac.catalog · version 1

The master list of products, versions, downloads and fingerprints that the website, Launcher, CrackTV and the account service all read.

File
.json
Written by
CrackMac-Distribution
Opened by
crackmac.net, CrackMac Launcher, CrackTV, Account service
Safety
Validated before publication; every download is checked against its listed size and SHA-256.
Envelope
Older names, mapped
In released products

Signed update noticecrackmac.update-notice · version 1

Tells an installed Launcher or CrackHome panel that a new version exists, where it is and its fingerprint, signed with CrackMac's own key.

File
launcher-update.signed.json, crackhome-update.json
Written by
CrackMac-Distribution release tools
Opened by
CrackMac Launcher 1.7.0+, CrackHome 2.0.1+
Safety
Ed25519 signature checked against a key built into the app; sequence numbers only move forward; CrackHome notices also expire after 30 days; the download must match the listed size and SHA-256.
Envelope
Older names, mapped
In released products

CrackMac Signal feedcrackmac.signal · version 1

Public news: releases, status changes and announcements across the ecosystem.

File
feed.json (JSON Feed 1.1), feed.xml (Atom)
Written by
crackmac.net
Opened by
CrackMac Launcher 1.7.1+, CrackTV 0.13.0+, Any feed reader
Safety
Readers keep only links to crackmac.net and fall back to a saved copy when offline.
Envelope
Outside standard
In released products

Diagnostic bundlecrackmac.diagnostics · version 1

One shared format for product diagnostics, with personal details removed automatically, readable on the support page without uploading it.

File
.crackmac-diagnostics.json
Written by
CrackMac Launcher 1.7.2+
Opened by
crackmac.net/support/ (read in the browser, never uploaded)
Safety
User folders, names, the computer name, email and network addresses, sign-in codes and long secrets are removed before the file is written; the report says how many of each. Readers show it as text only and never send it anywhere.
Envelope
Standard envelope
Planned

Afterhours station packcrackafterhours.station · version 1

A radio station: broadcast clock, station IDs, bulletins and host segments, with the audio they use.

File
.station.zip
Written by
Not built yet
Opened by
Not built yet
Safety
Planned: the same path and fingerprint rules as Relay parcels.
Envelope
Standard envelope
Preview build only

CrackKeep backupcrackmac.keep · version 1

One encrypted backup of the CrackMac data on a computer: product settings, CrackArc projects, CrackRelay history and files the owner adds, with a restore rehearsal.

File
.crackkeep
Written by
CrackMac Launcher 1.10.0+
Opened by
CrackMac Launcher 1.10.0+, tools/keep.cjs (inspect, check, rehearse)
Safety
Encrypted with AES-256-GCM under a key made from the owner's passphrase (scrypt); every chunk is authenticated so changes, reordering and truncation are refused. No absolute paths; secrets that only work on the original computer are left out and listed.
Envelope
Standard envelope