Before import
Validate the file first if it came from a guide, Discord, Reddit, or a hand edit. The two fastest checks are the .build extension and valid JSON.
PoE2 Build Planner import
How to import PoE2 Build Planner files
Place your .build file in the correct BuildPlanner folder, then reopen the Build Planner in Path of Exile 2.
Unofficial fan-made guide. Not affiliated with Grinding Gear Games.
What the game looks for
Path of Exile 2 reads local .build files from a BuildPlanner folder. If the folder does not exist, create it before moving the file.
Windows path
C:/Users/<Name>/Documents/My Games/Path of Exile 2/BuildPlanner
Replace <Name> with your Windows user name.
Steam Deck / SteamOS path
/home/deck/.local/share/Steam/steamapps/compatdata/2315204395/pfx/drive_c/users/steamuser/Documents/My Games/Path of Exile 2/BuildPlanner
The compatdata id may vary by install. Confirm your local Steam app folder if this path does not exist.
Import steps
If it still does not show
Check hidden file extensions, verify the exact folder path, and run the troubleshooting checklist. Steam Deck users should also confirm the Proton prefix path.
Where most imported files come from
Knowing the source helps you predict what will go wrong. A file that travelled through chat is far more likely to need a fix than one downloaded as an attachment.
From a guide or website
Usually clean if downloaded as a file. If you had to copy text out of a page, validate it first — copy-paste can drop a brace or convert quotes.
From Discord or Reddit
Download the attachment rather than copying the message body. Pasted JSON often arrives with smart quotes or a truncated tail.
Generated yourself
A minimal starter file is the safest import because it has no stale, patch-broken fields to begin with.
Import FAQ
Do I import the file inside the game or in a folder?
In a folder. PoE2 reads .build files from the local BuildPlanner folder — there is no in-game "upload" button. Place the file, then reopen the planner.
The file is in the folder but the build doesn't appear. Why?
The two most common causes are a hidden wrong extension (.build.txt) and invalid JSON. Validate the file and confirm the extension, then reopen the planner.
Do I need to restart the whole game?
Not always. Reopening the in-game Build Planner is usually enough to re-scan the folder. If a file added while the planner was open does not show, reopen the planner.
Where is the folder on Steam Deck?
Inside the Proton prefix under compatdata. The id can vary by install, so confirm yours.