Do this once โ reuse it for every fic you ever write.
Once per work โ applies to all chapters automatically.
Already done this for your fic? Skip straight to Step 3.
Do this once per chapter.
โ ๏ธ Skin formatting won't appear in downloaded epub or PDF files. Make sure your story makes sense without it.
Download for Later (header): Saves a timestamped .html file to your computer. It contains the same chapter HTML as below, plus a hidden AO3 Works backup so you can reopen the chapter here with full round-trip (including editable skin blocks). For AO3, paste the chapter HTML as usual; if the site complains about the first line, delete the opening <!-- ... --> comment before pasting.
Import chapter (header): Choose an .html file (full restore from Download for Later, or best-effort from other HTML) or a Word .docx file (converted in your browser; best-effort formatting, no editable skin blocks). Nothing is uploaded.
What readers will see on AO3 (rendered through the AO3 sanitizer + site baseline)
Open a file from your computer โ nothing is uploaded
HTML: .html / .htm from Download for Later restores the chapter exactly (including editable skin blocks). Other HTML imports as best effort; skin-style blocks are not reconstructed.
Word: .docx only (use Save As โ Word Document (.docx) for older .doc files). Conversion runs in your browser. Headings, lists, and basic formatting usually come through; tables and complex layout may be simplified.
Replacing your draft: If the editor already has content, you will be asked to confirm before anything is replaced.
Paste a full web address (https://โฆ)
Image must be hosted online (e.g. Imgur direct link)
Type normally in the editor. Use the toolbar for Undo and Redo (or โZ / Ctrl+Z and โโงZ / Ctrl+Shift+Z; Ctrl+Y also redoes on Windows), bold, italic, underline, strikethrough, inline code, subscript, superscript, alignment (including justify), horizontal dividers, links (โK / Ctrl+K), images from a URL (โโงI / Ctrl+Shift+I), lists, and blockquotes. The Text menu sets Normal vs headings (โโฅ1โ6 on Mac, Ctrl+Alt+1โ6 on Windows โ โโฅ0 / Ctrl+Alt+0 for Normal). Alignment shortcuts: โโงL / E / R / J (Ctrl+Shift+L/E/R/J) for left, center, right, justify; โโงS for strikethrough; โE for inline code; โ, and โ. for subscript and superscript. You can also insert a divider by typing --- at the start of a line. The editor previews your text in AO3's exact font and spacing.
Use the Insert menus to add iMessage conversations, tweets, letters, Discord messages, and more. Each block shows a live preview as you fill in the form โ what you see is exactly what readers will see on AO3.
Click "Export to AO3" and follow the steps. You'll set up your Work Skin once (you can reuse it for every fic you write), then copy-paste the HTML into each chapter.
๐ก Work Skin: Create it once in AO3 โ Dashboard โ Skins โ My Work Skins. Apply it to a fic via Edit Work โ Associations โ Select Work Skin.
๐ท Images: AO3 requires images to be hosted online. Upload to Imgur and paste the direct URL.
โ ๏ธ Downloads: epub and PDF exports won't show skin block formatting. Make sure your story makes sense without it.
๐พ Autosave: Your draft saves automatically to your browser (shortly after you stop typing, and when you switch tabs or leave the page). It will still be here if you close and reopen the page.
๐ Chapter file: Download for Later in the header saves a timestamped file (same AO3 HTML as Export, plus a hidden backup). Import chapter loads HTML or Word (.docx) back in. See Export for full details. Imports from outside AO3 Works are best-effort only.
๐ฎ Coming later: Smarter import from other HTML sources (e.g. AO3 chapter HTML) with better formatting preservation. Word .docx import is already available from Import chapter.
The short version: we have none of it.
AO3 Works has no servers, no accounts, no databases, and no analytics. Your writing never leaves your device. We can't read your work, and we believe your fic belongs in your hands, not on our servers.
Your work is saved in your browser's local storage, which is a private space on your own computer. Think of it like a local notepad. It stays there even if you refresh the page, close the tab, or restart your computer. Nothing is ever sent over the internet.
Because this relies on your browser, a few everyday actions will clear your saved draft:
Don't treat autosave as your only backup. Use Download for Later in the header for a dated file on your computer (same HTML as export, plus a hidden AO3 Works backup for Import chapter). Copy HTML from Export when you post to AO3. You can also write your main prose in Google Docs or Word, and just use AO3 Works to build your skin blocks โ or import a .docx from the header.
You can already save chapter HTML from Export (with a timestamped filename and full re-import in AO3 Works). We are also exploring a standalone or installable AO3 Works that works more like a traditional app on your hard drive, with no timeline yet.
npm install && npm run build in the project folder, then refresh this page.