> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.spendlessdaw.app/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# FL Studio detection and project updates

> Understand open-project detection, automatic refreshes and the permissions they need.

SpendLess detects two things: whether FL Studio is running, and which managed project is open. It also checks whether saved project files have changed.

## During a session

1. Open a managed project from SpendLess.
2. Make changes and **save in FL Studio**.
3. Close that project or quit FL Studio.
4. Leave SpendLess running for a few seconds to refresh the saved project.

Refreshing reads the saved metadata and plugins, collects available samples, and updates the project card. It does **not** save your unsaved FL Studio session or render a preview.

## Automatic or manual

**Settings → Preferences → Update projects** enables processing when a change is detected. If you turn it off, use **Update project** in the project's menu after saving and closing it.

SpendLess avoids updating a project it recognizes as open. If FL Studio is running but its project cannot be identified reliably, detection can keep the previous state instead of immediately unlocking the project.

## If detection is wrong

<Steps>
  <Step title="Check the application path">Open **Settings → Advanced → DAW path**. Try **Autodetect**, or **Change** to select the FL Studio application you actually use.</Step>
  <Step title="Check macOS permission">Allow SpendLess in **System Settings → Privacy & Security → Accessibility**. Restart SpendLess after changing the permission.</Step>
  <Step title="Open the managed copy">Launch the project from SpendLess rather than an older copy in your original folder. Use distinct project titles.</Step>
  <Step title="Let the session finish">Save, quit FL Studio and wait a few seconds. If the state remains stuck, restart SpendLess before retrying the action.</Step>
</Steps>

The **FL Studio data path** is a separate setting used to find FL Studio resources. It is not the application path. See [samples](/en/samples) for missing audio.


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