Fill a workspace by pasting JSON

Create an idea workspace with its columns and cards already laid out, by pasting a JSON document.

The output of a brainstorm is a list, and a workspace is a canvas, so getting one into the other usually means retyping every idea onto a card. Importing does the placing for you: describe the columns and what belongs in each, and the workspace arrives laid out and ready to drag.

There are two ways in:

  • On Workspaces, Import a workspace from JSON creates a new one.
  • Inside a workspace, Import JSON in the top bar adds the document's columns and cards, placed to the right of everything already on the canvas. Nothing already there is moved or removed.

Use Copy the prompt in either import box to get this format plus the instructions an assistant needs, then describe what you are thinking through and paste back what it gives you.

You describe grouping, not positions. Cards are placed in their column, and belong to it — moving the column moves them with it.

The whole document is checked before anything is saved. If any part of it does not fit the format below, no workspace is created and the problem is reported with the exact card that caused it.

The document

{
  "title": "Spring range",
  "columns": [],
  "notes": []
}
Field Type Notes
title string, optional Up to 255 characters. "Untitled workspace" if left out.
columns array, optional Up to 12. Each holds up to 40 cards.
notes array of strings, optional Up to 40 loose notes, placed in a row under the columns. Use these for thoughts that do not belong to any column yet.

A document needs at least one column or one note.

Columns

{ "title": "Worth trying", "items": [] }
  • title (string, required): up to 255 characters.
  • items (array, optional): the cards in this column, top to bottom.

Cards

A card is one of three kinds. Give it only the fields its own kind uses.

type Use it for Fields
note A thought, in its own words text (required, up to 20,000 characters)
todo A checklist title (required), tasks (array of strings, up to 200)
link Something to look at url (required), title, description

type defaults to note, so a column of plain thoughts only needs text on each card.

{ "type": "note", "text": "Ask the mill about shorter runs." }
{ "type": "todo", "title": "Before the trade show", "tasks": ["Book the stand", "Print the look book"] }
{ "type": "link", "url": "https://example.com/fabric", "title": "Fabric supplier", "description": "Minimum order 40m." }

A url must be a full web address. Checklist tasks arrive unticked.

A complete example

{
  "title": "Spring range",
  "columns": [
    {
      "title": "Worth trying",
      "items": [
        { "text": "A shorter run in two colourways rather than one long run." },
        { "text": "Sell the offcuts as a seconds bundle." },
        { "type": "link", "url": "https://example.com/fabric", "title": "Fabric supplier", "description": "Minimum order 40m." }
      ]
    },
    {
      "title": "Decided against",
      "items": [
        { "text": "Third colourway — too much stock risk for a first season." }
      ]
    },
    {
      "title": "Next",
      "items": [
        { "type": "todo", "title": "Before the trade show", "tasks": ["Book the stand", "Print the look book", "Confirm the mill"] }
      ]
    }
  ],
  "notes": ["Budget is fixed until March.", "Ask Priya what sold out first last year."]
}

If an import is rejected for a reason you can't work out, Contact support.

Updated September 13, 2026

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