Clarify in-memory / download editing mode

Author: OpenHypervideo

README.md

@@ -6,16 +6,17 @@ Create, annotate, and remix interactive videos on the web.
 
 FrameTrail is an open-source platform for building non-linear, interactive video experiences. Add overlays, annotations, video links, and code snippets to any video — or create time-based presentations without video at all. All data is stored as portable JSON files with no database required.
 
-**No server required for viewing or editing.** FrameTrail runs entirely in the browser using the [File System Access API](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/API/File_System_Access_API) for local file editing, or with an Apache+PHP backend for multi-user collaboration.
+**No server required for viewing or editing.** FrameTrail runs entirely in the browser using the [File System Access API](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/API/File_System_Access_API) for local file editing, or with an Apache+PHP backend for multi-user collaboration. It also works in any browser — including Firefox and Safari — via an in-memory mode where edits can be exported as JSON.
 
 ---
 
 ## Features
 
-### Two Ways to Run
+### Three Ways to Run
 
 1. **Server mode** (Apache + PHP) — Full multi-user editing, file uploads, user management
 2. **Local folder mode** (Chrome/Edge) — Full editing without a server, using the File System Access API to read/write a local `_data` folder
+3. **In-memory mode** (all browsers) — Pass hypervideo data via init options; view and edit in-browser; export changes as JSON via Save As. Nothing persists past a page reload unless exported. Works in Firefox, Safari, and everywhere else.
 
 ### Editing
 
@@ -50,8 +51,9 @@ FrameTrail supports a wide range of embeddable content:
 
 ### Browser Support
 
-- **Desktop:** Chrome, Firefox, Edge (latest versions)
+- **Desktop:** Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari (latest versions)
 - **Local folder mode:** Chrome/Edge only (requires File System Access API)
+- **In-memory/download mode:** All browsers — Firefox and Safari get full view + edit + export
 - **Mobile:** Player works in server mode; editing is disabled
 
 ---

docs/ARCHITECTURE.md

@@ -295,7 +295,7 @@ FrameTrail uses a strategy pattern for data persistence. The `StorageManager` mo
 |---------|-------|-----------|
 | Server | `StorageAdapterServer` | HTTP/HTTPS with PHP backend responding at `_server/ajaxServer.php` |
 | Local | `StorageAdapterLocal` | File System Access API available (Chrome/Edge) and folder selected |
-| Download | `StorageAdapterDownload` | Supplemental — provides Save As/export in either mode |
+| Download | `StorageAdapterDownload` | Primary adapter when no server and no File System Access API (Firefox/Safari, or `file://` protocol). Stores data in memory; exports via Save As. Also available as a supplemental export tool in server and local modes. |
 
 All adapters implement the same interface, so the rest of the application doesn't need to know which storage backend is active.
 

docs/DEPLOYMENT.md

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 # Deploying FrameTrail
 
-This guide covers the three ways to run FrameTrail, how to build from source, and the release process.
+This guide covers the three ways to run FrameTrail (server, local folder, and in-memory), how to build from source, and the release process.
 
 ## Deployment Options
 
@@ -58,9 +58,23 @@ The `StorageAdapterLocal` class uses the File System Access API (`showDirectoryP
 - No PHP-based file processing (image optimization, video transcoding)
 - Browser must support File System Access API (Chrome/Edge only)
 
-### Save As / Export
+### Option 3: In-Memory Mode (All Browsers)
+
+No server, no file system access required. FrameTrail automatically falls back to this mode when running in Firefox, Safari, or any browser without the File System Access API and no PHP backend.
+
+**Requirements:**
+- Any modern browser (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari)
+
+**How it works:**
+
+The `StorageAdapterDownload` holds all data in memory. Hypervideo data is passed via init options at startup (see [Inline on a Page](#inline-on-a-page) below). Viewing and editing are fully functional. The Save button is disabled (since there is nowhere to persist); use **Save As** to export a JSON snapshot that can be reloaded later.
 
-The `StorageAdapterDownload` is used as the fallback storage backend when no PHP server and no local folder are available (`storageMode: 'download'`). It stores all data in memory and exposes a Save As dialog that downloads a JSON snapshot of the current state.
+**Limitations:**
+- No persistence — changes are lost on page reload unless exported via Save As
+- No file uploads (media must be referenced by URL)
+- No multi-user collaboration
+
+### Save As / Export
 
 In server and local modes, Save As is also available as a supplemental export tool — useful for archiving or migrating content between instances.
 
@@ -97,7 +111,7 @@ $(document).ready(function() {
 
 ### With Inline Data
 
-When running in server mode, you can pass all hypervideo and resource data directly via init options, bypassing the `_data/` directory entirely. This is useful for embedding a specific hypervideo on a page without managing the data folder.
+You can pass all hypervideo and resource data directly via init options, bypassing the `_data/` directory entirely. This works in all three storage modes and is the primary approach for in-memory mode (Option 3) — embed FrameTrail on any page without any backend or data folder.
 
 ```javascript
 FrameTrail.init({