It guides, it doesn't auto-build
Loading a file doesn't respec your character for you. It shows you the plan inside the game so you can follow it as you level. Editing or creating builds in-game isn't supported yet — the planner is import-only.
Beginner guide
How to use a PoE2 .build file
The in-game Build Planner arrived recently, so most players are using .build files for the first time. Here's the whole flow, start to finish: get a file, put it in the right folder, and load it in game.
Unofficial fan-made guide. Not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Grinding Gear Games.
What a .build file actually does
A .build file is a set of build instructions the in-game Build Planner overlays onto your character: which passives to allocate, which skill and support gems to slot, and which items to chase — often tied to character-level ranges so you know what to do at level 20 versus level 80.
It only works on PC & Steam Deck
Because the game reads the file from a folder on disk, console players can't load one.
Step 1 — Get a build file
Download one
Build sites and guides hand out .build files. Download the actual file rather than copying text out of a page or chat, which can corrupt the JSON.
Or generate a starter
Make a minimal file to test your setup before importing a full build.
Step 2 — Check the file is valid
A .build file is JSON. A single missing brace or a wrong extension stops it from loading. A minimal valid file looks like this:
{
"name": "Lightning Sorceress Starter",
"author": "Player",
"description": "Allocate these passives and slot these gems by level",
"ascendancy": "Stormweaver"
} The only required field is name. If a file came from a guide, Discord, or a hand edit, validate it before moving it.
Step 3 — Put it in the BuildPlanner folder
The game watches a specific folder and loads any valid .build file there. Create the folder if it doesn't exist.
Windows
C:/Users/<Name>/Documents/My Games/Path of Exile 2/BuildPlanner
Steam Deck
.../steamapps/compatdata/2315204395/pfx/drive_c/users/steamuser/Documents/My Games/Path of Exile 2/BuildPlanner
Step 4 — Load it in game
Reopen the Build Planner
An automated file watcher detects new files in the folder. Launch the game or reopen the in-game Build Planner so it re-scans and activates the build.
If nothing shows up
The usual causes are a hidden wrong extension (.build.txt), invalid JSON, or the file sitting one folder too high.
FAQ
Do I need to restart the whole game?
Usually not. Reopening the in-game Build Planner is enough for the file watcher to re-scan the folder. If a file added while the planner was open doesn't appear, reopen the planner.
Can I edit the build inside the game?
No. The planner is import-only right now — creating or editing builds in-game isn't supported. Edit the .build file (or re-export it) outside the game.
How many build files can I keep?
You can keep multiple valid .build files in the folder; the planner detects each one. Just make sure each is valid JSON with a name.
Is my file uploaded anywhere when I validate it here?
No. The validator and generator run entirely in your browser. Nothing is uploaded or stored.