Export Formats Explained: WebP, PNG and the ZIP Bundle
2026-09-06
When you generate a Codex pet you get a few file choices back. Here is what WebP, PNG, and the ZIP bundle each do, and which one you actually need to install a pet on your desktop.
What the download contains
After you approve a pet, the generator hands you a codex pet file download in three flavors. There is a WebP spritesheet, a PNG version of that sheet, and a ZIP that bundles the WebP with the pet.json metadata. Knowing what each one is for saves confusion the first time you install.
WebP vs PNG: what each file is for
The codex pet webp vs png question comes up on every first install. WebP is the format Codex actually reads: it carries a transparent background at a small file size, which keeps load time low on a sprite you stare at all day. PNG is the same picture in a heavier, more universally editable form.
Use WebP for running the pet. Use PNG when you want to open the sheet in Photoshop or a sprite editor, because nearly every tool understands PNG without extra plugins.
Why the ZIP bundle is what you install
The pet zip download is the practical choice. Inside you get spritesheet.webp and pet.json sitting next to each other, which is exactly the layout Codex expects. Unpack it, drop the folder into the pets directory, and the pairing is already correct.
Grabbing the WebP alone is possible, but then you must supply the pet.json separately and keep the names in sync. The ZIP removes that step and the mistakes that come with it.
WebP, PNG, and ZIP at a glance
- WebP spritesheet: the live format Codex reads, small and transparent.
- PNG sheet: the editable mirror, larger, good for editing only.
- ZIP bundle: WebP plus pet.json, the file you actually install from.
PNG when you need a single frame
Sometimes you do not want the whole animation. A PNG export lets you pull one frame into a thumbnail, a social post, or a custom edit without wrestling a multi-frame WebP. Treat it as a side product, not the install source.
Getting the files onto your desktop
Extract the ZIP, copy the folder into the Codex pets directory, and make the folder name match the name field inside pet.json. Then fully restart Codex. The pet should appear within a few seconds.
If nothing shows, the cause is almost always the folder name not matching the JSON, or a restart that closed the window instead of quitting the process. Both are quick to fix.
Ready to make one? Generate a pet from any photo on codexpetgenerator.com, then follow the install guide at /blog/how-to-create-a-codex-pet or browse /blog for more. It all starts at /.
Frequently asked questions
What format does a Codex pet use?
A Codex pet is built from a single WebP spritesheet plus a small pet.json file. The spritesheet holds all nine animation states in one image, and the JSON tells Codex how to slice and play it.
Can I download a Codex pet as PNG instead of WebP?
Yes, most generators also export a PNG version of the sheet. PNG is easier to open in plain image tools, but it is larger and lacks the compression WebP gives you, so it is best kept for edits rather than daily use.
Is the ZIP bundle required to install a pet?
For installation you need the folder with both spritesheet.webp and pet.json together. The ZIP is simply the bundled download that keeps those two files side by side, so it is the most reliable way to move them.
What is the spritesheet.webp file?
It is the master image that contains every animation frame for your pet. Codex reads it at startup, cuts it into the individual states, and loops them on your desktop.
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