diff --git a/.gitmodules b/.gitmodules
index ea94d4e..5927242 100644
--- a/.gitmodules
+++ b/.gitmodules
@@ -1,3 +1,6 @@
 [submodule "lib/BLT-With-Graphics-Template"]
 	path = lib/BLT-With-Graphics-Template
 	url = https://git.tpgc.me/tri11paragon/BLT-With-Graphics-Template
+[submodule "lib/json"]
+	path = lib/json
+	url = https://github.com/nlohmann/json.git
diff --git a/CMakeLists.txt b/CMakeLists.txt
index 53b241d..42e7b48 100644
--- a/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 cmake_minimum_required(VERSION 3.25)
-project(graphs VERSION 0.1.1)
+project(graphs VERSION 0.1.2)
 
 option(ENABLE_ADDRSAN "Enable the address sanitizer" OFF)
 option(ENABLE_UBSAN "Enable the ub sanitizer" OFF)
@@ -11,6 +11,8 @@ set(CMAKE_CXX_STANDARD 17)
 set(CMAKE_CXX_STANDARD_REQUIRED ON)
 
 add_subdirectory(lib/BLT-With-Graphics-Template SYSTEM)
+set(JSON_BuildTests OFF CACHE INTERNAL "")
+add_subdirectory(lib/json)
 
 include_directories(include/)
 file(GLOB_RECURSE PROJECT_BUILD_FILES "${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}/src/*.cpp")
@@ -21,6 +23,7 @@ target_compile_options(graphs PRIVATE -Wall -Wextra -Wno-comment)
 target_link_options(graphs PRIVATE -Wall -Wextra -Wno-comment)
 
 target_link_libraries(graphs PUBLIC BLT_WITH_GRAPHICS)
+target_link_libraries(graphs PRIVATE nlohmann_json::nlohmann_json)
 
 if (${ENABLE_ADDRSAN} MATCHES ON)
     target_compile_options(graphs PRIVATE -fsanitize=address)
diff --git a/include/config.h b/include/config.h
index 82eca05..96646de 100644
--- a/include/config.h
+++ b/include/config.h
@@ -29,6 +29,7 @@ namespace conf
     inline constexpr float DEFAULT_SPRING_LENGTH = 175.0;
     inline constexpr float DEFAULT_INITIAL_TEMPERATURE = 100;
     
+    inline constexpr float POINT_SIZE = 35;
     inline constexpr auto DEFAULT_IMAGE = "parker_point";
     inline constexpr auto POINT_OUTLINE_COLOR = blt::make_color(0, 0.6, 0.6);
     inline constexpr auto POINT_HIGHLIGHT_COLOR = blt::make_color(0, 1.0, 1.0);
@@ -38,4 +39,7 @@ namespace conf
     inline constexpr auto EDGE_OUTLINE_COLOR = blt::make_color(0, 1, 0);
 }
 
+class graph_t;
+struct loader_t;
+
 #endif //GRAPHS_CONFIG_H
diff --git a/include/graph.h b/include/graph.h
index 6d50303..2ef4ce2 100644
--- a/include/graph.h
+++ b/include/graph.h
@@ -52,8 +52,10 @@ struct bounding_box
 
 class graph_t
 {
+        friend struct loader_t;
     private:
         std::vector<node> nodes;
+        blt::hashmap_t<std::string, blt::u64> names_to_node;
         blt::hashset_t<edge, edge_hash> edges;
         blt::hashmap_t<blt::u64, blt::hashset_t<blt::u64>> connected_nodes;
         bool sim = false;
@@ -64,7 +66,6 @@ class graph_t
         int current_iterations = 0;
         int max_iterations = 5000;
         std::unique_ptr<force_equation> equation;
-        static constexpr float POINT_SIZE = 35;
         
         blt::i32 selected_node = -1;
         blt::quad_easing easing;
@@ -74,12 +75,14 @@ class graph_t
                                  blt::f64 scaling_connectivity, blt::f64 distance_factor);
     
     public:
-        graph_t() = default;
+        graph_t()
+        {
+            use_Eades();
+        }
         
         void make_new(const bounding_box& bb, const blt::size_t min_nodes, const blt::size_t max_nodes, const blt::f64 connectivity)
         {
             create_random_graph(bb, min_nodes, max_nodes, connectivity, 0, 25);
-            use_Eades();
         }
         
         void reset(const bounding_box& bb, const blt::size_t min_nodes, const blt::size_t max_nodes, const blt::f64 connectivity,
@@ -198,6 +201,7 @@ class graph_t
 
 class engine_t
 {
+        friend struct loader_t;
     private:
         graph_t graph;
         
diff --git a/include/graph_base.h b/include/graph_base.h
index 6d2cd8b..18077de 100644
--- a/include/graph_base.h
+++ b/include/graph_base.h
@@ -27,6 +27,8 @@
 struct node
 {
     float repulsiveness = 24.0f;
+    std::string name;
+    
     blt::gfx::point2d_t point;
     float outline_scale = 1.25f;
     blt::vec2 velocity;
diff --git a/include/loader.h b/include/loader.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2097c5b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/include/loader.h
@@ -0,0 +1,45 @@
+#pragma once
+/*
+ *  Copyright (C) 2024  Brett Terpstra
+ *
+ *  This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ *  it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+ *  the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+ *  (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ *  This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ *  but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ *  MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ *  GNU General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ *  You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+ *  along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ */
+
+#ifndef GRAPHS_LOADER_H
+#define GRAPHS_LOADER_H
+
+#include <config.h>
+#include <graph_base.h>
+#include <graph.h>
+#include <optional>
+#include <string_view>
+#include <blt/gfx/window.h>
+
+struct loader_t
+{
+    std::vector<std::pair<std::string, std::string>> textures;
+    
+    /**
+     * if save path is present and a valid file it will be read from, otherwise path will be used as the default.
+     */
+    static std::optional<loader_t> load_for(engine_t& engine, const blt::gfx::window_data& data, std::string_view path,
+                                            std::optional<std::string_view> save_path = {});
+    
+    /**
+     * Saves engine to the path. Will also save any extra loader data like textures. Loader can be empty.
+     */
+    static void save_for(engine_t& engine, const loader_t& loader, std::string_view path);
+};
+
+#endif //GRAPHS_LOADER_H
diff --git a/lib/json b/lib/json
new file mode 160000
index 0000000..960b763
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/json
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+Subproject commit 960b763ecd144f156d05ec61f577b04107290137
diff --git a/src/graph.cpp b/src/graph.cpp
index dff5a0f..c5c5f9a 100644
--- a/src/graph.cpp
+++ b/src/graph.cpp
@@ -94,7 +94,7 @@ void graph_t::process_mouse_drag(const blt::i32 width, const blt::i32 height)
         
         const auto mag = dist.magnitude();
         
-        if (mag < POINT_SIZE && mouse_pressed)
+        if (mag < conf::POINT_SIZE && mouse_pressed)
         {
             new_selection = static_cast<blt::i32>(index);
             break;
@@ -137,10 +137,10 @@ void graph_t::create_random_graph(bounding_box bb, const blt::size_t min_nodes,
     // don't allow points too close to the edges of the window.
     if (bb.is_screen)
     {
-        bb.max_x -= POINT_SIZE;
-        bb.max_y -= POINT_SIZE;
-        bb.min_x += POINT_SIZE;
-        bb.min_y += POINT_SIZE;
+        bb.max_x -= conf::POINT_SIZE;
+        bb.max_y -= conf::POINT_SIZE;
+        bb.min_x += conf::POINT_SIZE;
+        bb.min_y += conf::POINT_SIZE;
     }
     static std::random_device dev;
     static std::uniform_real_distribution chance(0.0, 1.0);
@@ -164,7 +164,7 @@ void graph_t::create_random_graph(bounding_box bb, const blt::size_t min_nodes,
                 const float dx = rp.x() - x;
                 const float dy = rp.y() - y;
                 
-                if (const float dist = std::sqrt(dx * dx + dy * dy); dist <= POINT_SIZE)
+                if (const float dist = std::sqrt(dx * dx + dy * dy); dist <= conf::POINT_SIZE)
                 {
                     can_break = false;
                     break;
@@ -173,7 +173,7 @@ void graph_t::create_random_graph(bounding_box bb, const blt::size_t min_nodes,
             if (can_break)
                 break;
         } while (true);
-        nodes.push_back(node({x, y, POINT_SIZE}));
+        nodes.push_back(node({x, y, conf::POINT_SIZE}));
     }
     
     for (const auto& [index1, node1] : blt::enumerate(nodes))
diff --git a/src/loader.cpp b/src/loader.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9d66b11
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/loader.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,94 @@
+/*
+ *  <Short Description>
+ *  Copyright (C) 2024  Brett Terpstra
+ *
+ *  This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ *  it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+ *  the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+ *  (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ *  This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ *  but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ *  MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ *  GNU General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ *  You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+ *  along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ */
+#include <loader.h>
+#include <blt/std/logging.h>
+#include <fstream>
+#include <istream>
+#include <random>
+#include <nlohmann/json.hpp>
+
+using json = nlohmann::json;
+
+template<typename T>
+T load_with_default(const json& data, std::string_view key, T def)
+{
+    if (data.contains(key))
+        return data[key].get<T>();
+    return def;
+}
+
+std::optional<loader_t> loader_t::load_for(engine_t& engine, const blt::gfx::window_data& window_data, std::string_view path,
+                                           std::optional<std::string_view> save_path)
+{
+    auto& graph = engine.graph;
+    
+    static std::random_device dev;
+    std::uniform_real_distribution pos_x_dist(0.0, static_cast<blt::f64>(window_data.width));
+    std::uniform_real_distribution pos_y_dist(0.0, static_cast<blt::f64>(window_data.height));
+    
+    if (save_path && std::filesystem::exists(*save_path))
+        path = *save_path;
+    if (!std::filesystem::exists(path))
+    {
+        BLT_WARN("Unable to load graph file!");
+        return {};
+    }
+    std::ifstream file{std::string(path)};
+    json data = json::parse(file);
+    
+    loader_t loader;
+    if (data.contains("textures"))
+    {
+        for (const auto& texture : data["textures"])
+        {
+            auto texture_path = texture["path"].get<std::string>();
+            auto texture_key = load_with_default(texture, "name", texture_path);
+            loader.textures.emplace_back(texture_key, texture_path);
+        }
+    }
+    
+    if (data.contains("nodes"))
+    {
+        graph.nodes.clear();
+        
+        for (const auto& node : data["nodes"])
+        {
+            auto x = static_cast<blt::f32>(load_with_default(node, "x", pos_x_dist(dev)));
+            auto y = static_cast<blt::f32>(load_with_default(node, "y", pos_y_dist(dev)));
+            auto size = static_cast<blt::f32>(load_with_default(node, "size", static_cast<f64>(conf::POINT_SIZE)));
+            auto name = load_with_default<std::string>(node, "name", "unnamed");
+            
+            graph.names_to_node.insert({name, static_cast<blt::u64>(graph.nodes.size())});
+            graph.nodes.emplace_back(blt::gfx::point2d_t{x, y, size});
+            graph.nodes.back().name = std::move(name);
+        }
+    }
+    
+    if (data.contains("connections"))
+    {
+        graph.edges.clear();
+        graph.connected_nodes.clear();
+    }
+    
+    return loader;
+}
+
+void loader_t::save_for(engine_t& engine, const loader_t& loader, std::string_view path)
+{
+
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/main.cpp b/src/main.cpp
index 4cd6a4c..2471155 100644
--- a/src/main.cpp
+++ b/src/main.cpp
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@
 #include <blt/std/time.h>
 #include <blt/math/log_util.h>
 #include <graph.h>
+#include <loader.h>
 
 blt::gfx::matrix_state_manager global_matrices;
 blt::gfx::resource_manager resources;
@@ -42,6 +43,7 @@ namespace im = ImGui;
  *  - ability to remove nodes from graph (make use of multi selection?)
  */
 engine_t engine;
+loader_t loader_data;
 
 void init(const blt::gfx::window_data& data)
 {
@@ -53,6 +55,13 @@ void init(const blt::gfx::window_data& data)
     resources.enqueue("res/parkerpoint.png", "parker_point");
     resources.enqueue("res/parker cat ears.jpg", "parkercat");
     
+    if (auto loader = loader_t::load_for(engine, data, "default.json", "save.json"))
+    {
+        loader_data = *loader;
+        for (const auto& [key, path] : loader_data.textures)
+            resources.enqueue(path, key);
+    }
+    
     global_matrices.create_internals();
     resources.load_resources();
     renderer_2d.create();
@@ -78,6 +87,9 @@ void update(const blt::gfx::window_data& data)
 int main(int, const char**)
 {
     blt::gfx::init(blt::gfx::window_data{"Force-Directed Graph Drawing", init, update, 1440, 720}.setSyncInterval(1));
+    
+    loader_t::save_for(engine, loader_data, "save.json");
+    
     global_matrices.cleanup();
     resources.cleanup();
     renderer_2d.cleanup();