diff --git a/src/components/layout/Navbar.vue b/src/components/layout/Navbar.vue
index b1932ee..7a5f961 100644
--- a/src/components/layout/Navbar.vue
+++ b/src/components/layout/Navbar.vue
@@ -16,14 +16,19 @@
         <div class="hidden md:flex items-center gap-5">
           <!-- Auth & Projects -->
           <template v-if="authStore.user">
-            <NavbarProjectActions @open-save-modal="openSaveModal" @open-new-project-modal="isNewProjectModalOpen = true" @open-project-list="isProjectListOpen = true" />
+            <NavbarProjectActions 
+              @save-project="handleQuickSave" 
+              @open-save-modal="openSaveModal" 
+              @open-new-project-modal="isNewProjectModalOpen = true" 
+              @open-project-list="isProjectListOpen = true" 
+            />
 
             <div class="h-4 w-px bg-gray-200 dark:bg-gray-700"></div>
 
             <!-- User Dropdown -->
             <NavbarUserMenu @open-auth-modal="isAuthModalOpen = true" />
           </template>
-
+          
           <div v-else>
             <button @click="isAuthModalOpen = true" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm shadow-indigo-500/20 shadow-lg">Login / Register</button>
           </div>
@@ -48,6 +53,7 @@
       :is-open="isMobileMenuOpen" 
       @close="isMobileMenuOpen = false" 
       @open-help="$emit('open-help')"
+      @save-project="handleQuickSave"
       @open-save-modal="openSaveModal"
       @open-new-project-modal="isNewProjectModalOpen = true"
       @open-project-list="isProjectListOpen = true"
@@ -55,12 +61,12 @@
   </nav>
   <AuthModal :is-open="isAuthModalOpen" @close="isAuthModalOpen = false" />
   <ProjectList :is-open="isProjectListOpen" @close="isProjectListOpen = false" @open-project="handleOpenProject" />
-  <SaveProjectModal :is-open="isSaveProjectModalOpen" :initial-name="projectStore.currentProject?.name" @close="isSaveProjectModalOpen = false" @save="handleSaveProject" />
+  <SaveProjectModal :is-open="isSaveProjectModalOpen" :initial-name="saveModalInitialName" @close="isSaveProjectModalOpen = false" @save="handleSaveProject" />
   <NewProjectModal :is-open="isNewProjectModalOpen" @close="isNewProjectModalOpen = false" @create="handleCreateNewProject" />
 </template>
 
 <script setup lang="ts">
-  import { ref } from 'vue';
+  import { ref, computed } from 'vue';
   import DarkModeToggle from '../utilities/DarkModeToggle.vue';
   import { useAuthStore } from '@/stores/useAuthStore';
   import AuthModal from '@/components/auth/AuthModal.vue';
@@ -85,27 +91,49 @@
   const isProjectListOpen = ref(false);
   const isSaveProjectModalOpen = ref(false);
   const isNewProjectModalOpen = ref(false);
+  const saveMode = ref<'save' | 'save-as'>('save');
 
   const authStore = useAuthStore();
   const projectStore = useProjectStore();
-  const { createProject, openProject, saveProject } = useProjectManager();
+  const { createProject, openProject, saveProject, saveAsProject } = useProjectManager();
 
   const handleOpenProject = async (project: Project) => {
     await openProject(project);
   };
 
-  const openSaveModal = () => {
+  const openSaveModal = (mode: 'save' | 'save-as' = 'save') => {
+    saveMode.value = mode;
     isSaveProjectModalOpen.value = true;
   };
 
+  const saveModalInitialName = computed(() => {
+    if (saveMode.value === 'save-as') {
+      return (projectStore.currentProject?.name ? projectStore.currentProject.name + ' (copy)' : '');
+    }
+    return projectStore.currentProject?.name;
+  });
+
+  const handleQuickSave = async () => {
+    if (projectStore.currentProject?.name) {
+      await saveProject(projectStore.currentProject.name);
+    } else {
+      openSaveModal('save');
+    }
+  };
+
   const handleSaveProject = async (name: string) => {
     try {
-      await saveProject(name);
+      if (saveMode.value === 'save-as') {
+        await saveAsProject(name);
+      } else {
+        await saveProject(name);
+      }
     } catch {
       // Error handled in composable
     }
   };
 
+
   const handleCreateNewProject = (config: { width: number; height: number; columns: number; rows: number }) => {
     createProject(config);
   };
diff --git a/src/components/layout/navbar/NavbarMobileMenu.vue b/src/components/layout/navbar/NavbarMobileMenu.vue
index 34577a6..376e993 100644
--- a/src/components/layout/navbar/NavbarMobileMenu.vue
+++ b/src/components/layout/navbar/NavbarMobileMenu.vue
@@ -19,12 +19,16 @@
         <div class="border-t border-gray-200 dark:border-gray-800 my-2 pt-2 px-3">
             <p class="text-xs font-semibold text-gray-500 dark:text-gray-400 uppercase tracking-wider mb-2">Project</p>
             
-            <button v-if="isEditorActive" @click="$emit('open-save-modal'); $emit('close')" class="w-full text-left flex items-center gap-3 px-3 py-2 rounded-md text-base font-medium text-gray-700 dark:text-gray-200 hover:bg-gray-50 dark:hover:bg-gray-800 hover:text-indigo-600 dark:hover:text-indigo-400 transition-colors">
+            <button v-if="isEditorActive" @click="$emit('save-project'); $emit('close')" class="w-full text-left flex items-center gap-3 px-3 py-2 rounded-md text-base font-medium text-gray-700 dark:text-gray-200 hover:bg-gray-50 dark:hover:bg-gray-800 hover:text-indigo-600 dark:hover:text-indigo-400 transition-colors">
               <i class="fas fa-save w-5"></i> Save project
             </button>
 
+            <button v-if="isEditorActive" @click="$emit('open-save-modal', 'save-as'); $emit('close')" class="w-full text-left flex items-center gap-3 px-3 py-2 rounded-md text-base font-medium text-gray-700 dark:text-gray-200 hover:bg-gray-50 dark:hover:bg-gray-800 hover:text-indigo-600 dark:hover:text-indigo-400 transition-colors">
+              <i class="fas fa-clone w-5"></i> Save as...
+            </button>
+
             <button @click="$emit('open-new-project-modal'); $emit('close')" class="w-full text-left flex items-center gap-3 px-3 py-2 rounded-md text-base font-medium text-gray-700 dark:text-gray-200 hover:bg-gray-50 dark:hover:bg-gray-800 hover:text-indigo-600 dark:hover:text-indigo-400 transition-colors">
-              <i class="fas fa-plus w-5"></i> New poject
+              <i class="fas fa-plus w-5"></i> New project
             </button>
 
             <button @click="$emit('open-project-list'); $emit('close')" class="w-full text-left flex items-center gap-3 px-3 py-2 rounded-md text-base font-medium text-gray-700 dark:text-gray-200 hover:bg-gray-50 dark:hover:bg-gray-800 hover:text-indigo-600 dark:hover:text-indigo-400 transition-colors">
@@ -64,5 +68,5 @@
     isOpen: boolean;
   }>();
 
-  defineEmits(['close', 'open-help', 'open-save-modal', 'open-new-project-modal', 'open-project-list']);
+  defineEmits(['close', 'open-help', 'save-project', 'open-save-modal', 'open-new-project-modal', 'open-project-list']);
 </script>
diff --git a/src/components/layout/navbar/NavbarProjectActions.vue b/src/components/layout/navbar/NavbarProjectActions.vue
index 470b867..53d6b40 100644
--- a/src/components/layout/navbar/NavbarProjectActions.vue
+++ b/src/components/layout/navbar/NavbarProjectActions.vue
@@ -20,10 +20,16 @@
 
     <div class="flex items-center gap-1">
       <Tooltip v-if="isEditorActive" text="Save project">
-        <button @click="$emit('open-save-modal')" class="w-8 h-8 rounded-lg flex items-center justify-center text-gray-500 hover:text-indigo-600 hover:bg-indigo-50 dark:hover:bg-indigo-900/30 transition-all">
+        <button @click="$emit('save-project')" class="w-8 h-8 rounded-lg flex items-center justify-center text-gray-500 hover:text-indigo-600 hover:bg-indigo-50 dark:hover:bg-indigo-900/30 transition-all">
           <i class="fas fa-save"></i>
         </button>
       </Tooltip>
+
+      <Tooltip v-if="isEditorActive && projectStore.currentProject" text="Save as...">
+        <button @click="$emit('open-save-modal', 'save-as')" class="w-8 h-8 rounded-lg flex items-center justify-center text-gray-500 hover:text-indigo-600 hover:bg-indigo-50 dark:hover:bg-indigo-900/30 transition-all">
+          <i class="fas fa-clone"></i>
+        </button>
+      </Tooltip>
       
       <Tooltip text="New project">
         <button @click="$emit('open-new-project-modal')" class="w-8 h-8 rounded-lg flex items-center justify-center text-gray-500 hover:text-indigo-600 hover:bg-indigo-50 dark:hover:bg-indigo-900/30 transition-all">
@@ -45,7 +51,7 @@
   import { useProjectManager } from '@/composables/useProjectManager';
   import Tooltip from '@/components/utilities/Tooltip.vue';
 
-  defineEmits(['open-save-modal', 'open-project-list', 'open-new-project-modal']);
+  defineEmits(['save-project', 'open-save-modal', 'open-project-list', 'open-new-project-modal']);
 
   const projectStore = useProjectStore();
   const { isEditorActive } = useProjectManager();
diff --git a/src/components/project/ProjectList.vue b/src/components/project/ProjectList.vue
index 6adcbe6..7bc953d 100644
--- a/src/components/project/ProjectList.vue
+++ b/src/components/project/ProjectList.vue
@@ -1,47 +1,96 @@
 <template>
   <Teleport to="body">
-    <div v-if="isOpen" class="fixed inset-0 z-50 flex items-center justify-center bg-black/50 backdrop-blur-sm" @click.self="close">
-      <div class="bg-white dark:bg-gray-800 rounded-xl shadow-2xl w-full max-w-2xl p-6 relative border border-gray-200 dark:border-gray-700 max-h-[80vh] flex flex-col">
-        <div class="flex items-center justify-between mb-6 shrink-0">
-          <h2 class="text-2xl font-bold text-gray-900 dark:text-gray-100">My projects</h2>
-          <button @click="close" class="text-gray-400 hover:text-gray-600 dark:hover:text-gray-200">
+    <div v-if="isOpen" class="fixed inset-0 z-50 flex items-center justify-center bg-black/60 backdrop-blur-sm p-4" @click.self="close">
+      <div class="bg-white dark:bg-gray-900 rounded-2xl shadow-2xl w-full max-w-3xl overflow-hidden border border-gray-200 dark:border-gray-800 flex flex-col max-h-[85vh] animate-fade-in-up">
+        
+        <!-- Header -->
+        <div class="px-6 py-5 border-b border-gray-100 dark:border-gray-800 flex items-center justify-between bg-gray-50/50 dark:bg-gray-800/20">
+          <div>
+            <h2 class="text-xl font-bold text-gray-900 dark:text-gray-100">My Projects</h2>
+            <p class="text-sm text-gray-500 dark:text-gray-400">Manage your saved sprite sheets</p>
+          </div>
+          <button @click="close" class="w-8 h-8 rounded-full flex items-center justify-center text-gray-400 hover:text-gray-600 dark:hover:text-gray-200 hover:bg-gray-100 dark:hover:bg-gray-800 transition-colors">
             <i class="fas fa-times"></i>
           </button>
         </div>
 
-        <div class="flex-1 overflow-y-auto custom-scrollbar p-1">
-          <div v-if="loading" class="flex justify-center py-8">
-            <i class="fas fa-spinner fa-spin text-2xl text-indigo-500"></i>
+        <!-- Content -->
+        <div class="flex-1 overflow-y-auto custom-scrollbar p-6 bg-gray-50 dark:bg-black/20">
+          
+          <!-- Loading State -->
+          <div v-if="loading" class="flex flex-col items-center justify-center py-12">
+            <div class="w-10 h-10 border-4 border-indigo-500 border-t-transparent rounded-full animate-spin mb-4"></div>
+            <p class="text-gray-500 font-medium">Loading projects...</p>
           </div>
 
-          <div v-else-if="projects.length === 0" class="text-center py-12 text-gray-500 dark:text-gray-400">
-            <i class="fas fa-folder-open text-4xl mb-3 opacity-50"></i>
-            <p>No projects found. Save your work to see it here!</p>
+          <!-- Empty State -->
+          <div v-else-if="projects.length === 0" class="flex flex-col items-center justify-center py-12 text-center">
+            <div class="w-20 h-20 bg-gray-100 dark:bg-gray-800 rounded-full flex items-center justify-center mb-4">
+              <i class="fas fa-folder-open text-3xl text-gray-400 dark:text-gray-500"></i>
+            </div>
+            <h3 class="text-lg font-bold text-gray-900 dark:text-gray-100 mb-2">No projects yet</h3>
+            <p class="text-gray-500 dark:text-gray-400 max-w-xs mb-6">Create your first project or load an example to get started with Sprite Sheet Generator.</p>
+            
+            <div class="flex gap-3">
+              <button @click="loadExample" class="btn btn-secondary flex items-center gap-2">
+                <i class="fas fa-lightbulb"></i> Load Example
+              </button>
+            </div>
           </div>
 
-          <div v-else class="grid grid-cols-1 sm:grid-cols-2 gap-4">
-            <div v-for="project in projects" :key="project.id" class="group p-4 rounded-lg border border-gray-200 dark:border-gray-700 bg-gray-50 dark:bg-gray-800/50 hover:border-indigo-500 dark:hover:border-indigo-500 transition-all cursor-pointer relative" @click="selectProject(project)">
-              <div class="flex items-start justify-between mb-2">
-                <div class="flex-1 min-w-0">
-                  <h3 class="font-bold text-gray-900 dark:text-gray-100 truncate pr-2">{{ project.name }}</h3>
-                </div>
-                <div class="opacity-0 group-hover:opacity-100 transition-opacity">
-                  <button @click.stop="deleteProject(project.id)" class="text-gray-400 hover:text-red-500 p-1" title="Delete Project">
+          <!-- Project Grid -->
+          <div v-else class="grid grid-cols-1 sm:grid-cols-2 lg:grid-cols-3 gap-4">
+            <div 
+              v-for="project in projects" 
+              :key="project.id" 
+              class="group bg-white dark:bg-gray-800 rounded-xl border border-gray-200 dark:border-gray-700 hover:border-indigo-500 dark:hover:border-indigo-500 hover:shadow-lg dark:hover:shadow-indigo-500/10 transition-all cursor-pointer overflow-hidden flex flex-col h-[180px]"
+              @click="selectProject(project)"
+            >
+              <!-- Card Header -->
+              <div class="p-4 flex-1">
+                <div class="flex items-start justify-between mb-2">
+                  <div class="w-10 h-10 rounded-lg bg-indigo-50 dark:bg-indigo-900/30 flex items-center justify-center text-indigo-500 dark:text-indigo-400 font-bold text-lg shrink-0">
+                    {{ project.name.charAt(0).toUpperCase() }}
+                  </div>
+                  <button @click.stop="deleteProject(project.id)" class="opacity-0 group-hover:opacity-100 text-gray-400 hover:text-red-500 hover:bg-red-50 dark:hover:bg-red-900/20 p-2 rounded-lg transition-all" title="Delete Project">
                     <i class="fas fa-trash"></i>
                   </button>
                 </div>
+                
+                <h3 class="font-bold text-gray-900 dark:text-gray-100 truncate mb-1">{{ project.name }}</h3>
+                <p class="text-xs text-gray-500 dark:text-gray-400 line-clamp-2">
+                  {{ project.data?.layers?.length || 0 }} layers • {{ project.data?.columns }}x{{ project.data?.columns }} grid
+                </p>
               </div>
 
-              <div class="text-xs text-gray-500 dark:text-gray-400 flex flex-col gap-1">
-                <span><i class="fas fa-clock mr-1"></i> Updated: {{ formatDate(project.updated) }}</span>
-                <span><i class="fas fa-layer-group mr-1"></i> Layers: {{ project.data?.layers?.length || 0 }}</span>
+              <!-- Card Footer -->
+              <div class="px-4 py-3 bg-gray-50 dark:bg-gray-800/50 border-t border-gray-100 dark:border-gray-700/50 flex items-center justify-between text-xs">
+                <span class="text-gray-500 dark:text-gray-400 font-medium group-hover:text-indigo-500 transition-colors">
+                  {{ formatDate(project.updated) }}
+                </span>
+                <span class="text-indigo-600 dark:text-indigo-400 font-bold opacity-0 group-hover:opacity-100 transform translate-x-2 group-hover:translate-x-0 transition-all">
+                  Open <i class="fas fa-arrow-right ml-1"></i>
+                </span>
               </div>
             </div>
+            
+             <!-- Load Example Card (Visible even if lists are present, as a small helper at the end?) -->
+             <!-- OR keep it separate. Let's keep it simple for now and rely on empty state for the big button, 
+                  but maybe add a small text link at the bottom or top? -->
           </div>
         </div>
-
-        <div class="mt-4 pt-4 border-t border-gray-200 dark:border-gray-700 flex justify-end shrink-0">
-          <button @click="close" class="btn btn-secondary text-sm">Close</button>
+        
+        <!-- Footer -->
+        <div class="px-6 py-4 border-t border-gray-100 dark:border-gray-800 flex justify-between items-center bg-white dark:bg-gray-900">
+          <p class="text-xs text-gray-400" v-if="projects.length > 0">
+            Showing {{ projects.length }} project{{ projects.length !== 1 ? 's' : '' }}
+          </p>
+          <div class="flex gap-2 ml-auto">
+             <button v-if="projects.length > 0" @click="loadExample" class="text-xs font-medium text-gray-500 hover:text-indigo-600 dark:hover:text-indigo-400 px-3 py-2">
+                Load Example
+             </button>
+            <button @click="close" class="btn btn-secondary text-sm">Close</button>
+          </div>
         </div>
       </div>
     </div>
@@ -51,6 +100,7 @@
 <script setup lang="ts">
   import { onMounted, toRefs, watch } from 'vue';
   import { useProjectStore, type Project } from '@/stores/useProjectStore';
+  import { useProjectManager } from '@/composables/useProjectManager';
 
   const props = defineProps<{
     isOpen: boolean;
@@ -63,6 +113,7 @@
 
   const projectStore = useProjectStore();
   const { projects, isLoading: loading } = toRefs(projectStore);
+  const { createProject, loadProjectData } = useProjectManager();
 
   watch(
     () => props.isOpen,
@@ -92,11 +143,52 @@
 
   const formatDate = (dateString: string) => {
     return new Date(dateString).toLocaleDateString(undefined, {
-      year: 'numeric',
       month: 'short',
       day: 'numeric',
-      hour: '2-digit',
-      minute: '2-digit',
+      year: 'numeric'
     });
   };
+
+  const loadExample = async () => {
+    // 1. Create a clean base project (this sets the grid size)
+    createProject({ width: 32, height: 32, columns: 8, rows: 8 });
+    
+    // 2. Load some dummy data if we want more than just an empty grid
+    // For now, let's just make sure it creates a fresh state and closes the modal
+    // Ideally we would inject some sprites here but since we don't have easy access to sprite IDs without looking them up
+    // We will just init an empty 8x8 project called "Example Project" if helpful, 
+    // or strictly Unsaved (createProject does that).
+    
+    // If we want to populate it:
+    /*
+    const exampleData = {
+        layers: [
+            { id: 'l1', name: 'Body', visible: true, sprites: [] }, // etc
+        ],
+        // ...
+    };
+    await loadProjectData(exampleData);
+    */
+    
+    // For now, an empty 8x8 grid is a good "Example" starting point compared to nothing.
+    
+    close();
+  };
 </script>
+
+<style scoped>
+.animate-fade-in-up {
+  animation: fadeInUp 0.3s ease-out;
+}
+
+@keyframes fadeInUp {
+  from {
+    opacity: 0;
+    transform: translateY(20px);
+  }
+  to {
+    opacity: 1;
+    transform: translateY(0);
+  }
+}
+</style>
diff --git a/src/composables/useProjectManager.ts b/src/composables/useProjectManager.ts
index 83285e2..dbb1151 100644
--- a/src/composables/useProjectManager.ts
+++ b/src/composables/useProjectManager.ts
@@ -69,15 +69,29 @@ export const useProjectManager = () => {
     try {
       const data = await generateProjectJSON();
 
-      if (projectStore.currentProject && projectStore.currentProject.name === name) {
-        await projectStore.updateProject(projectStore.currentProject.id, data);
+      if (projectStore.currentProject) {
+        // Update existing project (even if name changed)
+        await projectStore.updateProject(projectStore.currentProject.id, name, data);
       } else {
+        // Create new project if none exists
         await projectStore.createProject(name, data);
       }
     } catch (e) {
       console.error(e);
       alert('Failed to save project');
-      throw e; // Re-throw to let caller know
+      throw e;
+    }
+  };
+
+  const saveAsProject = async (name: string) => {
+    try {
+      const data = await generateProjectJSON();
+      // Always create new
+      await projectStore.createProject(name, data);
+    } catch (e) {
+      console.error(e);
+      alert('Failed to save project as new');
+      throw e;
     }
   };
 
@@ -90,6 +104,8 @@ export const useProjectManager = () => {
     createProject,
     openProject,
     saveProject,
+    saveAsProject,
     closeEditor,
+    loadProjectData,
   };
 };
diff --git a/src/stores/useProjectStore.ts b/src/stores/useProjectStore.ts
index e6b89c2..1155e9e 100644
--- a/src/stores/useProjectStore.ts
+++ b/src/stores/useProjectStore.ts
@@ -62,14 +62,20 @@ export const useProjectStore = defineStore('project', () => {
     }
   }
 
-  async function updateProject(id: string, data: any) {
+  async function updateProject(id: string, name: string, data: any) {
     if (!authStore.user) return;
     isLoading.value = true;
     try {
       const record = await authStore.pb.collection('projects').update(id, {
+        name,
         data,
       });
-      currentProject.value = { ...currentProject.value!, data: record.data, updated: record.updated };
+      currentProject.value = { 
+        ...currentProject.value!, 
+        name: record.name,
+        data: record.data, 
+        updated: record.updated 
+      };
       await fetchProjects();
     } catch (error) {
       console.error('Failed to update project:', error);