What is StorableSidebar.json?
StorableSidebar.json is Arc's internal file that stores your complete sidebar — every Space, pinned tab, folder, and Favorite, including metadata like colors and timestamps.
It's the most complete representation of your Arc setup, far more detailed than Arc's Markdown export.
What's inside
- All your Spaces
- Pinned tabs in each Space
- Unpinned "Today" tabs
- Nested folders and their hierarchy
- Favorites (pinned items at top)
- Split Views (grouped tabs)
- Metadata: colors, names, dates, URLs
The file is stored locally and synced between devices if you use Arc's sync.
Where to find it
Important: Quit Arc before accessing this file. Arc locks it while running. Copying while Arc is open may result in corruption.
On Mac
- Quit Arc (Cmd+Q)
- Open Finder
- Click Go in menu bar
- Select Go to Folder… (Shift+Cmd+G)
- Paste:
~/Library/Application Support/Arc/ - Press Go
- You'll see
StorableSidebar.json
On Windows
- Close Arc
- Press Win+R
- Type:
%LOCALAPPDATA%\Packages\ - Find folder starting with
TheBrowserCompany.Arc - Open it, then:
LocalCache\Local\Arc\ - You'll find
StorableSidebar.json
How to back it up
- Quit Arc completely
- Navigate to the file using instructions above
- Right-click
StorableSidebar.json - Select Copy
- Paste somewhere safe: Desktop, Documents, cloud storage, USB drive
- Rename the copy:
StorableSidebar-backup-2026-10-22.json
Back up before December 22, 2026. Arc stops working on that date. After shutdown you may still access this file, but it's safer to back up now.
Can I edit it manually?
Not recommended. While it's a JSON text file, Arc expects a specific structure with IDs, timestamps, and relationships. Manual edits can corrupt your sidebar or crash Arc.
To convert it to standard bookmarks for Chrome, Firefox, or Safari, use the converter.
StorableSidebar.json vs Markdown export
| StorableSidebar.json | Markdown Export | |
|---|---|---|
| Spaces | Preserved | Preserved (as headings) |
| Pinned tabs | All included | Only some |
| Folders | Fully nested | Indented lists |
| Favorites | Yes | No |
| Metadata | Colors, icons, dates | None |
| Access | Hidden system file | File → Export Data |
Recommendation: Use StorableSidebar.json for the most complete backup. Use Markdown export if you only need a quick list of links.
Convert to standard bookmarks