# Workflow: Start From a Folder

_LOFTai › Workflows_

## Goal

You already have a folder of images, renders, or footage and want Loft to work with it in place. This is the **Local** path and needs the LoftDesktop app.

## Steps

-   Open LoftDesktop. On the start screen, choose "Work with local files."
-   Pick the folder in the native file picker. Loft creates a Local project pointed at it and opens the Files browser.
-   Browse — the Files view shows what's already on disk, including untracked files (see Files Browser).
-   Select untracked files and use Register to attach them to the project so they become assets Loft can track and reason about.
-   From here you can generate, review, and organize — new outputs land back in the same folder.

Note: Want the browser-only path instead? Choose "Create a virtual project" at first run — no install, files live on the server. See Virtual & Local Modes.

Tip: Next: try the **Generate & Iterate a Shot** workflow to make something new from what you just brought in.