diff --git a/libs/core/kiln_ai/datamodel/basemodel.py b/libs/core/kiln_ai/datamodel/basemodel.py
index 322fbdc..5e71ad8 100644
--- a/libs/core/kiln_ai/datamodel/basemodel.py
+++ b/libs/core/kiln_ai/datamodel/basemodel.py
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@
 
 
 class KilnBaseModel(BaseModel):
-    version: int = 1
+    v: int = 1  # schema_version
     path: Optional[Path] = None
 
     @classmethod
@@ -16,6 +16,12 @@ def load_from_file(cls: Type[T], path: Path) -> T:
         with open(path, "r") as file:
             m = cls.model_validate_json(file.read(), strict=True)
         m.path = path
+        if m.v > m.max_schema_version():
+            raise ValueError(
+                f"Cannot load from file because the schema version is higher than the current version. Upgrade kiln to the latest version. "
+                f"Class: {m.__class__.__name__}, id: {getattr(m, 'id', None)}, path: {path}, "
+                f"version: {m.v}, max version: {m.max_schema_version()}"
+            )
         return m
 
     def save_to_file(self) -> None:
@@ -28,4 +34,6 @@ def save_to_file(self) -> None:
         with open(self.path, "w") as file:
             json.dump(data, file, indent=4)
 
-        print(f"Project saved to {self.path}")
+    # increment for breaking changes
+    def max_schema_version(self) -> int:
+        return 1
diff --git a/libs/core/kiln_ai/datamodel/project.py b/libs/core/kiln_ai/datamodel/project.py
index b038228..04ef73a 100644
--- a/libs/core/kiln_ai/datamodel/project.py
+++ b/libs/core/kiln_ai/datamodel/project.py
@@ -3,3 +3,7 @@
 
 class KilnProject(KilnBaseModel):
     name: str
+
+
+class KilnTask(KilnBaseModel):
+    name: str
diff --git a/libs/core/kiln_ai/datamodel/test_basemodel.py b/libs/core/kiln_ai/datamodel/test_basemodel.py
index aa36144..4a56200 100644
--- a/libs/core/kiln_ai/datamodel/test_basemodel.py
+++ b/libs/core/kiln_ai/datamodel/test_basemodel.py
@@ -1,12 +1,24 @@
 import json
 import pytest
 from kiln_ai.datamodel.basemodel import KilnBaseModel
+from pathlib import Path
 
 
 @pytest.fixture
-def test_file(tmp_path):
+def test_file(tmp_path) -> Path:
     test_file_path = tmp_path / "test_model.json"
-    data = {"version": 1}
+    data = {"v": 1}
+
+    with open(test_file_path, "w") as file:
+        json.dump(data, file, indent=4)
+
+    return test_file_path
+
+
+@pytest.fixture
+def test_newer_file(tmp_path) -> Path:
+    test_file_path = tmp_path / "test_model_sv.json"
+    data = {"v": 99}
 
     with open(test_file_path, "w") as file:
         json.dump(data, file, indent=4)
@@ -16,7 +28,7 @@ def test_file(tmp_path):
 
 def test_load_from_file(test_file):
     model = KilnBaseModel.load_from_file(test_file)
-    assert model.version == 1
+    assert model.v == 1
     assert model.path == test_file
 
 
@@ -27,10 +39,15 @@ def test_save_to_file(test_file):
     with open(test_file, "r") as file:
         data = json.load(file)
 
-    assert data["version"] == 1
+    assert data["v"] == 1
 
 
 def test_save_to_file_without_path():
     model = KilnBaseModel()
     with pytest.raises(ValueError):
         model.save_to_file()
+
+
+def test_max_schema_version(test_newer_file):
+    with pytest.raises(ValueError):
+        KilnBaseModel.load_from_file(test_newer_file)
diff --git a/libs/core/kiln_ai/datamodel/test_project.py b/libs/core/kiln_ai/datamodel/test_project.py
index 0b9cf68..c3bca77 100644
--- a/libs/core/kiln_ai/datamodel/test_project.py
+++ b/libs/core/kiln_ai/datamodel/test_project.py
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
 @pytest.fixture
 def test_file(tmp_path):
     test_file_path = tmp_path / "test_project.json"
-    data = {"version": 1, "name": "Test Project"}
+    data = {"v": 1, "name": "Test Project"}
 
     with open(test_file_path, "w") as file:
         json.dump(data, file, indent=4)
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ def test_file(tmp_path):
 
 def test_load_from_file(test_file):
     project = KilnProject.load_from_file(test_file)
-    assert project.version == 1
+    assert project.v == 1
     assert project.name == "Test Project"
     assert project.path == test_file
 
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ def test_save_to_file(test_file):
     with open(test_file, "r") as file:
         data = json.load(file)
 
-    assert data["version"] == 1
+    assert data["v"] == 1
     assert data["name"] == "Test Project"