> ## 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.

# Deck management

> Create, organize, and manage your vocabulary decks efficiently in KAnki

KAnki allows you to organize flashcards into decks by proficiency level. You can manage decks directly in the configuration file or use external tools for easier editing.

## Deck structure

Decks in KAnki are organized by proficiency levels defined in `KANKI_CONFIG.levels`. Each level corresponds to a key in the `VOCABULARY` object.

```javascript kanki_config.js theme={null}
var KANKI_CONFIG = {
  language: "Japanese",
  levels: ["N5", "N4"]  // Available decks
};

var VOCABULARY = {
  "N5": [
    // N5 level cards
  ],
  "N4": [
    // N4 level cards
  ]
};
```

## Creating a new deck

<Steps>
  <Step title="Add the level to KANKI_CONFIG">
    Add your new level name to the `levels` array:

    ```javascript kanki_config.js theme={null}
    var KANKI_CONFIG = {
      language: "Japanese",
      levels: ["N5", "N4", "N3"]  // Added N3
    };
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create the vocabulary section">
    Add a corresponding key in the `VOCABULARY` object:

    ```javascript kanki_config.js theme={null}
    var VOCABULARY = {
      "N5": [
        {"front": "こんにちは", "back": "Hello", "notes": "Greeting"}
      ],
      "N4": [
        {"front": "急ぐ", "reading": "いそぐ", "back": "To hurry", "notes": "Verb"}
      ],
      "N3": [
        {"front": "約束", "reading": "やくそく", "back": "Promise", "notes": "Noun"}
      ]
    };
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save and transfer to Kindle">
    Save the file and transfer it to your Kindle's `kanki/js/` directory.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Deck management tools

Managing large decks directly in the configuration file can be tedious. Use these tools for easier deck management:

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Üben (Recommended)">
    [Üben](https://www.uben.online/) is the official companion tool for KAnki with a modern UI.

    ### Features

    * Import `.apkg` files from Anki
    * Visual card editor with preview
    * Deck organization and management
    * Direct export to `kanki_config.js` format
    * Community deck sharing

    ### Workflow

    <Steps>
      <Step title="Import or create deck">
        Upload an Anki `.apkg` file or create a new deck in Üben.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Edit cards">
        Add, modify, or delete cards using the visual editor.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Export configuration">
        Export your deck as `kanki_config.js`.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Transfer to Kindle">
        Copy the exported file to `kanki/js/kanki_config.js` on your Kindle.
      </Step>
    </Steps>
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="KAnki Web Editor">
    The [KAnki Web Editor](https://kindlemodshelf.me/editor.html) by Kindlemodshelfguy provides a browser-based editing interface.

    ### Features

    * Upload existing configuration files
    * Add, edit, and delete cards through a UI
    * Preview cards for different Kindle generations
    * Export modified configuration

    ### How to use

    1. Visit [https://kindlemodshelf.me/editor.html](https://kindlemodshelf.me/editor.html)
    2. Upload your current `kanki_config.js`
    3. Make your changes in the web interface
    4. Download the updated configuration
    5. Transfer to your Kindle
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Manual editing">
    For small decks or quick changes, edit `kanki_config.js` directly.

    ### Best practices

    * Use a code editor with JavaScript syntax highlighting
    * Maintain consistent formatting for readability
    * Validate JSON syntax before transferring
    * Keep backup copies of your configuration

    ### Example structure

    ```javascript kanki_config.js theme={null}
    var VOCABULARY = {
      "N5": [
        {
          "front": "こんにちは",
          "back": "Hello",
          "notes": "Greeting"
        },
        {
          "front": "水",
          "reading": "みず",
          "back": "Water",
          "notes": "Noun"
        }
      ]
    };
    ```
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

## Importing Anki decks

You can convert existing Anki decks to KAnki format:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Find or export an Anki deck">
    Download a shared deck from [AnkiWeb](https://ankiweb.net/shared/decks) 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="Customize for KAnki">
    Edit the deck to match your preferred level structure and add any missing fields.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Export and transfer">
    Export as `kanki_config.js` and copy to your Kindle.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Note>
  When importing from Anki, you may need to manually map Anki's tags or note types to KAnki's level system.
</Note>

## Organizing large decks

### By proficiency level

Organize cards into levels that match standardized proficiency frameworks:

```javascript kanki_config.js theme={null}
var KANKI_CONFIG = {
  language: "Spanish",
  levels: ["A1", "A2", "B1", "B2", "C1", "C2"]
};
```

### By topic or theme

Alternatively, organize by subject matter:

```javascript kanki_config.js theme={null}
var KANKI_CONFIG = {
  language: "Japanese",
  levels: ["Greetings", "Food", "Travel", "Business"]
};
```

### By word type

Group by grammatical category:

```javascript kanki_config.js theme={null}
var KANKI_CONFIG = {
  language: "French",
  levels: ["Nouns", "Verbs", "Adjectives", "Phrases"]
};
```

<Warning>
  Changing level names will reset your progress for those decks. If you need to reorganize, export your progress data first.
</Warning>

## Card best practices

### Keep cards simple

Focus on one concept per card:

<CodeGroup>
  ```javascript Good example theme={null}
  {"front": "食べる", "reading": "たべる", "back": "To eat", "notes": "Verb"}
  ```

  ```javascript Avoid theme={null}
  {
    "front": "食べる/飲む",
    "reading": "たべる/のむ",
    "back": "To eat / To drink",
    "notes": "Verbs for consuming"
  }
  ```
</CodeGroup>

### Use consistent formatting

Maintain uniform capitalization and punctuation:

```javascript kanki_config.js theme={null}
var VOCABULARY = {
  "N5": [
    {"front": "こんにちは", "back": "Hello", "notes": "Greeting"},
    {"front": "ありがとう", "back": "Thank you", "notes": "Gratitude"},
    {"front": "さようなら", "back": "Goodbye", "notes": "Parting"}
  ]
};
```

### Add context in notes

Use the `notes` field to provide helpful context:

```javascript kanki_config.js theme={null}
{"front": "高い", "reading": "たかい", "back": "Expensive/Tall", "notes": "Adjective"}
```

## Real example from KAnki

Here's a complete working configuration from the KAnki source:

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

var VOCABULARY = {
  "N5": [
    {"front": "こんにちは", "back": "Hello", "notes": "Greeting"},
    {"front": "ありがとう", "back": "Thank you", "notes": "Gratitude"},
    {"front": "さようなら", "back": "Goodbye", "notes": "Parting"},
    {"front": "水", "reading": "みず", "back": "Water", "notes": "Noun"},
    {"front": "本", "reading": "ほん", "back": "Book", "notes": "Noun"},
    {"front": "食べる", "reading": "たべる", "back": "To eat", "notes": "Verb"}
  ],
  "N4": [
    {"front": "急ぐ", "reading": "いそぐ", "back": "To hurry", "notes": "Verb"},
    {"front": "必要", "reading": "ひつよう", "back": "Necessary", "notes": "Na-Adjective"},
    {"front": "練習", "reading": "れんしゅう", "back": "Practice", "notes": "Noun/Suru-verb"}
  ]
};
```

## Exporting to Anki

If you want to use your KAnki deck on desktop or mobile, convert it to Anki format:

1. Visit [KankiToAnki](https://kankitoanki.vercel.app/)
2. Upload your `kanki_config.js` file
3. Download the generated `.apkg` file
4. Import into Anki desktop or mobile app

## Deck maintenance tips

* **Regular backups**: Keep copies of your `kanki_config.js` file
* **Version control**: Use git to track changes if editing manually
* **Test after changes**: Load a few cards after editing to verify syntax
* **Start small**: Begin with 20-30 cards per level before expanding

## Next steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Language setup" icon="language" href="/configuration/language-setup">
    Configure KAnki for different languages
  </Card>

  <Card title="Custom fonts" icon="font" href="/configuration/custom-fonts">
    Install fonts that support your language
  </Card>
</CardGroup>