ARGO File

What are ARGO files and how to open them

Are you having problems opening an ARGO file or are you simply curious about its contents? We're here to explain the properties of these files and provide you with software that can open or handle your ARGO files.

What is an ARGO file?

An .ARGO file is an ArgoUML Project file.

ArgoUML project files store metadata about a UML project created in the ArgoUML modelling tool. They include author name, project version, search paths, directory of project files, references to diagrams and models that make up the complete design. Projects in ArgoUML comprise a UML model (in XMI) and diagrams (in PGML), and the project file keeps track of how these parts relate.

These project files are generated by ArgoUML itself when saving a project. When a user saves a project, ArgoUML writes out separate files for the model (XMI extension) and graphics/diagrams (PGML extension), along with this metadata project file (using the project's format). These components are bundled together in a compressed archive file ending with ".zargo". ArgoUML reads this metadata file to rebuild the project, locate diagrams and models, and restore settings when opening the project later.

Internally the metadata project file is an XML-formatted document. It begins with the root tag argo and contains entries such as AUTHORNAME, VERSION, PROJECT_DIR, member entries for each model or diagram with TYPE set to "xmi", "pgml", etc. It includes strings like HISTORYFILE NAME and SEARCHPATH HREF. The file starts with "<" at offset 0, contains ASCII "version" at a fixed offset after that, and uses internal identifiers such as PROJECT_DIR, MEMBER, TYPE, PGML.

How to open ARGO files

Important: Different programs may use files with the ARGO file extension for different purposes, so unless you are sure which format your ARGO file is, you may need to try a few different programs.

We have not yet verified any programs for Windows that work with this specific file format. If you know one, please use the 'Suggest a program' link below. Thanks!

Last updated: August 20, 2026

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