> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://mintlify.com/crizmo/KAnki/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Converting to Anki format

> Export your KAnki decks to Anki's .apkg format for use with desktop and mobile Anki applications

While KAnki is designed for Kindle devices, you may want to use your decks on desktop or mobile Anki applications. The KankiToAnki converter enables this workflow.

## KankiToAnki converter

KankiToAnki is a tool that converts KAnki configuration files to Anki's `.apkg` package format.

**Available at:**

* GitHub: [github.com/crizmo/KankiToAnki](https://github.com/crizmo/KankiToAnki)
* Web app: [kankitoanki.vercel.app](https://kankitoanki.vercel.app/)

## Converting KAnki to Anki

Use this when you want to study your KAnki decks on desktop, mobile, or web versions of Anki.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Export your KAnki configuration">
    Connect your Kindle to your computer and copy:

    ```
    /documents/kanki/js/kanki_config.js
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open the converter">
    Visit [kankitoanki.vercel.app](https://kankitoanki.vercel.app/) or run the tool locally.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Upload configuration">
    Select your `kanki_config.js` file in the converter interface.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Convert to .apkg">
    Click convert to generate an Anki package file.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Import to Anki">
    Open Anki on your desktop or mobile device and import the generated `.apkg` file.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Workflow: Anki to KAnki

The recommended workflow for bringing Anki decks to Kindle involves using Üben as an intermediary:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Find or create Anki deck">
    Download a shared deck from AnkiWeb or export your own deck as `.apkg`.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Import to Üben">
    Upload the `.apkg` file to [Üben](https://www.uben.online/).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Edit if needed">
    Use Üben's interface to customize cards, add notes, or adjust proficiency levels.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Export to KAnki format">
    Generate a `kanki_config.js` file from Üben.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Transfer to Kindle">
    Copy the configuration file to your Kindle's `/documents/kanki/js/` directory.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Info>
  This workflow is preferred over direct conversion because Üben provides a better interface for adjusting cards to work well on Kindle's e-ink display and limited browser capabilities.
</Info>

## Understanding format differences

### KAnki format

KAnki uses a simple JavaScript configuration:

```javascript theme={null}
var KANKI_CONFIG = {
  language: "Japanese",
  levels: ["N5", "N4", "N3"]
};

var VOCABULARY = {
  "N5": [
    {
      "front": "こんにちは",
      "reading": "konnichiwa",
      "back": "Hello",
      "notes": "Common greeting"
    }
  ]
};
```

### Anki format

Anki uses `.apkg` files which are SQLite databases containing:

* Card data with scheduling information
* Media files (audio, images)
* Note types and templates
* Deck configurations

## Limitations

<Warning>
  When converting between formats, some features may not transfer:
</Warning>

### KAnki to Anki limitations

* **Progress data not included**: The converter only exports card content, not your study history or statistics from localStorage
* **Starred cards**: Star status doesn't map to Anki's tagging system automatically
* **KAnki-specific features**: Error review mode and per-card view counts are KAnki-only

### Anki to KAnki limitations

* **Media files**: Images and audio in Anki cards won't work on Kindle
* **Complex formatting**: HTML formatting in Anki cards may not render correctly
* **Card types**: Cloze deletions and complex note types must be simplified
* **Scheduling**: Anki's spaced repetition schedule doesn't transfer to KAnki

## Alternative: Parallel study

Instead of converting, you can maintain the same deck in both apps:

<Accordion title="Why use both?">
  **Anki advantages:**

  * Richer media support (audio, images)
  * More advanced spaced repetition
  * Mobile apps with better performance
  * Community add-ons and plugins

  **KAnki advantages:**

  * Perfect for distraction-free reading sessions
  * E-ink display is easier on eyes for long study sessions
  * Exceptional battery life
  * Portable reading device you already carry
</Accordion>

To maintain parallel decks:

1. Create your master deck in Anki
2. Export to `.apkg` when you make changes
3. Import to Üben
4. Export from Üben to KAnki format
5. Transfer updated `kanki_config.js` to Kindle

<Info>
  Your progress in each app will be tracked independently. This is often desirable since your study patterns may differ between devices.
</Info>

## Exporting progress data

If you want to manually analyze your KAnki progress:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Back up localStorage">
    Copy the file from:

    ```
    /Kindle/.active_content_sandbox/kanki/resource/LocalStorage/file__0.localstorage
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Extract JSON data">
    The localStorage file contains JSON-encoded deck data. You can parse it programmatically to extract:

    * Card difficulty levels
    * Review history with timestamps
    * Success/failure rates per card
    * View counts and patterns
  </Step>

  <Step title="Analyze externally">
    Use the extracted data for custom analysis or import into other spaced repetition systems that accept JSON.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Warning>
  There's no automated tool to import KAnki progress data into Anki's scheduling system. This would require custom scripting to map KAnki's difficulty levels to Anki's ease factors and interval calculations.
</Warning>