diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index e7cbcf6..23f94cd 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -110,6 +110,16 @@ The **level editor** (`editor.html`) has a "Smashables" section: pick a type
 existing item (on the map or in the list) to remove it. Exporting the level
 writes the `items` array into the level file automatically.
 
+The editor can also **load an existing level** (the "Load an existing level"
+section) - either pick a bundled level from the dropdown (all levels from
+`src/data/levels/index.js`) or load a `levelNN.js` file from disk. Its
+terrain is preserved exactly: since it wasn't built from sections, the
+sections palette / sequence / size controls lock (dimmed and inert) and the
+preview + export render the loaded level's own terrain. Details (id / name /
+description / kids) and smashables stay editable, so you can tweak them and
+re-export. "Start a new level" clears the import and unlocks the section
+controls again.
+
 ## Phaser 4 loading
 
 Phaser is vendored locally at `vendor/phaser.esm.js` (downloaded once from
diff --git a/editor.html b/editor.html
index f88a0a6..a1eac1f 100644
--- a/editor.html
+++ b/editor.html
@@ -170,6 +170,46 @@
     grid-template-columns: repeat(auto-fit, minmax(180px, 1fr));
     gap: 10px;
   }
+  .is-locked {
+    opacity: 0.45;
+    pointer-events: none;
+  }
+  .import-row {
+    display: flex;
+    flex-wrap: wrap;
+    align-items: flex-end;
+    gap: 16px;
+  }
+  .import-row label {
+    display: flex;
+    flex-direction: column;
+    gap: 4px;
+    font-size: 12px;
+    color: #9aa7bb;
+  }
+  .import-row select, .import-row input[type="file"] {
+    background: #0b0e14;
+    border: 1px solid #2c374f;
+    color: #e8eef7;
+    border-radius: 4px;
+    padding: 6px 8px;
+    font-family: monospace;
+    font-size: 13px;
+  }
+  #clear-level-btn {
+    background: #2255aa;
+    color: #fff;
+    border: 1px solid #1a1f29;
+    border-radius: 4px;
+    padding: 8px 12px;
+    font-family: monospace;
+    font-size: 13px;
+    cursor: pointer;
+  }
+  #clear-level-btn:disabled {
+    opacity: 0.35;
+    cursor: not-allowed;
+  }
   #metadata-form label {
     display: flex;
     flex-direction: column;
@@ -230,34 +270,52 @@
 </section>
 
 <section>
-  <h2>Sections</h2>
-  <div id="palette"></div>
+  <h2>Load an existing level</h2>
+  <p class="hint">Import a bundled level or a <code>levelNN.js</code> file. Its terrain is preserved exactly (section editing is locked, since it wasn't built from sections), and you can adjust its details and smashables, then re-export it.</p>
+  <div class="import-row">
+    <label>
+      <span>Bundled level</span>
+      <select id="import-level-select"></select>
+    </label>
+    <label>
+      <span>Or load a file</span>
+      <input type="file" id="import-file" accept=".js,.txt">
+    </label>
+    <button id="clear-level-btn" disabled>&#10005; Start a new level</button>
+  </div>
+  <div id="import-status" class="hint" hidden></div>
 </section>
 
-<section>
+<section id="palette-section">
+  <h2>Sections</h2>
+  <p class="hint" data-section-locked>Add sections to build a new track.</p>
+  <div id="palette" data-section-locked></div>
+</section>
+
+<section id="sequence-section">
   <h2>Sequence</h2>
-  <div id="track"></div>
-  <div id="track-controls">
+  <div id="track" data-section-locked></div>
+  <div id="track-controls" data-section-locked>
     <button id="move-left-btn">&#9664; Move Left</button>
     <button id="move-right-btn">Move Right &#9654;</button>
     <button id="remove-btn">&#10005; Remove</button>
   </div>
   <div id="size-panel" hidden>
-    <div class="size-field">
+    <div class="size-field" data-section-locked>
       <label for="width-range">Width (horizontal)</label>
       <div class="size-field-row">
         <input type="range" id="width-range" min="250" max="2100" step="10">
         <input type="number" id="width-number" min="250" max="2100" step="10">
       </div>
     </div>
-    <div class="size-field">
+    <div class="size-field" data-section-locked>
       <label for="vscale-range">Vertical Scale</label>
       <div class="size-field-row">
         <input type="range" id="vscale-range" min="0.3" max="2.5" step="0.05">
         <input type="number" id="vscale-number" min="0.3" max="2.5" step="0.05">
       </div>
     </div>
-    <div class="size-field">
+    <div class="size-field" data-section-locked>
       <label for="smooth-checkbox">Entry</label>
       <label class="checkbox-row">
         <input type="checkbox" id="smooth-checkbox">
diff --git a/src/editor/main.js b/src/editor/main.js
index 039084f..f74eeb8 100644
--- a/src/editor/main.js
+++ b/src/editor/main.js
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ import {
 import { buildLevelData } from './levelBuilder.js';
 import { exportLevelToSource } from './exportLevel.js';
 import { BUS } from '../config.js';
+import { LEVELS } from '../data/levels/index.js';
 
 // The leading section is always 'flat' and locked at index 0, so a jump
 // section can never end up as the very first thing the bus drives onto -
@@ -20,6 +21,12 @@ const state = {
   metadata: { id: 'levelCustom', name: 'New Level', description: '', kidsAboard: 3 },
   sequence: [{ type: 'flat', width: SECTION_WIDTH, vScale: 1, smooth: false }],
   selectedIndex: null,
+  // Loaded from a bundled level or a file? When true the sections palette / track /
+  // size controls are locked (the terrain isn't built from sections, so rebuilding it
+  // from an arbitrary sequence would lose the original shape), and the preview shows
+  // the level's exact terrain instead of one the sequence generates. Details +
+  // items remain editable, and the level can be re-exported.
+  imported: null,
   // Smashable props placed on the course (see the "Smashables" section below
   // and SmashItemManager in the game). x/y are in the SAME scaled world units
   // the preview canvas plots (and that the exported level uses); refIndex is
@@ -48,12 +55,108 @@ const downloadBtn = document.getElementById('download-btn');
 const itemsFormEl = document.getElementById('items-form');
 const itemsListEl = document.getElementById('items-list');
 
+// --- Load an existing level --------------------------------------------
+const importSelectEl = document.getElementById('import-level-select');
+const importFileEl = document.getElementById('import-file');
+const clearLevelBtn = document.getElementById('clear-level-btn');
+const importStatusEl = document.getElementById('import-status');
+const paletteSectionEl = document.getElementById('palette-section');
+const sequenceSectionEl = document.getElementById('sequence-section');
+
 const labelFor = (typeId) => SECTION_TYPES.find((t) => t.id === typeId)?.label || typeId;
 
 // 'flat' and 'gap' have no rise/amplitude/depth for vScale to multiply -
 // disable that control rather than leave it silently do nothing.
 const FLAT_LIKE_TYPES = new Set(['flat', 'gap']);
 
+// --- Load an existing level ------------------------------------------------
+//
+// An imported level is the game's source-of-truth for its terrain (its exact
+// `terrain` array), so the preview renders that instead of what `state.sequence`
+// would generate, and section editing is locked. Metadata + items + goal/start
+// stay editable, and re-export emits the loaded level's fields verbatim.
+
+function buildImportSelect() {
+  importSelectEl.innerHTML = '';
+  const ph = document.createElement('option');
+  ph.value = '';
+  ph.textContent = 'Choose a level\u2026';
+  importSelectEl.appendChild(ph);
+  for (const level of LEVELS) {
+    const opt = document.createElement('option');
+    opt.value = level.id;
+    opt.textContent = `${level.id} \u2014 ${level.name || ''}`;
+    importSelectEl.appendChild(opt);
+  }
+}
+
+function setImported(level, source) {
+  if (!level || !Array.isArray(level.terrain) || level.terrain.length === 0) {
+    importStatusEl.hidden = false;
+    importStatusEl.style.color = '#c0392b';
+    importStatusEl.textContent = 'Could not import \u2014 the level has no terrain.';
+    return;
+  }
+  state.imported = {
+    metadata: {
+      id: level.id || 'levelCustom',
+      name: level.name || '',
+      description: level.description || '',
+      kidsAboard: level.kidsAboard || 1,
+      timeLimit: level.timeLimit,
+      startPosition: level.startPosition,
+      startAngle: level.startAngle,
+      goal: level.goal,
+      cameraBounds: level.cameraBounds,
+      obstacles: level.obstacles,
+    },
+    terrain: level.terrain,
+    items: (level.items || []).map((it) => ({ ...it })),
+    source,
+  };
+  // Mirror the imported fields into the shared metadata so edits to name/id/
+  // kids in the Level Details form are reflected in the re-export.
+  state.metadata = {
+    id: state.imported.metadata.id,
+    name: state.imported.metadata.name,
+    description: state.imported.metadata.description,
+    kidsAboard: state.imported.metadata.kidsAboard,
+    timeLimit: state.imported.metadata.timeLimit,
+  };
+  state.items = state.imported.items.map((it) => ({ ...it }));
+  buildMetadataForm(); // reflect the imported id/name/description/kids in the form
+  importStatusEl.hidden = false;
+  importStatusEl.style.color = '#2c8f3c';
+  importStatusEl.textContent = `Loaded ${state.imported.metadata.id} \u2014 \"${state.imported.metadata.name}\" from ${source}.`;
+  render();
+}
+
+function clearImported() {
+  state.imported = null;
+  // "Start a new level" = full reset to the blank-canvas defaults, so the
+  // imported level's items/metadata don't bleed into the fresh level.
+  state.items = [];
+  state.selectedIndex = null;
+  state.sequence = [{ type: 'flat', width: SECTION_WIDTH, vScale: 1, smooth: false }];
+  state.metadata = { id: 'levelCustom', name: 'New Level', description: '', kidsAboard: 3 };
+  importStatusEl.hidden = true;
+  importStatusEl.textContent = '';
+  importSelectEl.value = '';
+  if (importFileEl) importFileEl.value = '';
+  buildMetadataForm();
+  render();
+}
+
+function isImported() {
+  return state.imported !== null;
+}
+
+function setSectionsLocked(locked) {
+  for (const el of document.querySelectorAll('[data-section-locked]')) {
+    el.classList.toggle('is-locked', locked);
+  }
+}
+
 function buildPalette() {
   paletteEl.innerHTML = '';
   for (const { id, label } of SECTION_TYPES) {
@@ -625,6 +728,52 @@ previewCanvas.addEventListener('click', (e) => {
   render();
 });
 
+// --- Import wiring -------------------------------------------------------
+
+importSelectEl.addEventListener('change', () => {
+  const id = importSelectEl.value;
+  if (!id) return;
+  const level = LEVELS.find((l) => l.id === id);
+  if (!level) {
+    importStatusEl.hidden = false;
+    importStatusEl.style.color = '#c0392b';
+    importStatusEl.textContent = `No level with id "${id}".`;
+    return;
+  }
+  setImported(level, 'bundled levels');
+});
+
+importFileEl.addEventListener('change', async () => {
+  const file = importFileEl.files && importFileEl.files[0];
+  if (!file) return;
+  try {
+    const text = await file.text();
+    // Level files are ES modules (`export default {...}`). Parse the actual
+    // source as a module (not `new Function('return ...')`, which a leading
+    // `//` comment would swallow into the return) via a blob URL, then read
+    // its default export.
+    const blob = new Blob([text], { type: 'text/javascript' });
+    const url = URL.createObjectURL(blob);
+    let level;
+    try {
+      const mod = await import(url);
+      level = mod.default;
+    } finally {
+      URL.revokeObjectURL(url);
+    }
+    if (!level || typeof level !== 'object') throw new Error('not a level object');
+    setImported(level, file.name);
+  } catch (err) {
+    importStatusEl.hidden = false;
+    importStatusEl.style.color = '#c0392b';
+    importStatusEl.textContent = `Could not read ${file.name}: ${err.message}`;
+  }
+});
+
+clearLevelBtn.addEventListener('click', () => {
+  clearImported();
+});
+
 // --- Export --------------------------------------------------------------
 
 let currentLevelData = null;
@@ -646,12 +795,36 @@ downloadBtn.addEventListener('click', () => {
 // --- Render loop -----------------------------------------------------------
 
 function render() {
+  setSectionsLocked(isImported());
+  clearLevelBtn.disabled = !isImported();
   buildTrack();
   updateTrackControls();
   updateSizePanel();
   buildItemsList();
 
-  currentLevelData = buildLevelData(state.sequence, state.metadata, state.items);
+  if (isImported()) {
+    // Imported level: render its own exact terrain (plus the editable goal,
+    // start, items) instead of regenerating from the (locked) sequence.
+    const imp = state.imported;
+    currentLevelData = {
+      id: state.metadata.id,
+      name: state.metadata.name,
+      description: state.metadata.description,
+      kidsAboard: state.metadata.kidsAboard,
+      timeLimit: state.metadata.timeLimit,
+      startPosition: imp.metadata.startPosition,
+      startAngle: imp.metadata.startAngle,
+      terrain: imp.terrain,
+      obstacles: imp.metadata.obstacles || [],
+      ...(state.items.length > 0 ? { items: state.items.map((it) => ({
+        type: it.type, mode: it.mode, x: Math.round(it.x), y: Math.round(it.y),
+      })) } : {}),
+      goal: imp.metadata.goal,
+      cameraBounds: imp.metadata.cameraBounds,
+    };
+  } else {
+    currentLevelData = buildLevelData(state.sequence, state.metadata, state.items);
+  }
 
   if (!currentLevelData) {
     previewScrollEl.innerHTML = '<div id="empty-state">Add a section to see the preview.</div>';
@@ -683,5 +856,6 @@ function initSizeControls() {
 buildPalette();
 buildMetadataForm();
 buildItemsForm();
+buildImportSelect();
 initSizeControls();
 render();