diff --git a/artiq/management/pyon.py b/artiq/management/pyon.py
index 610f15177..4690a0373 100644
--- a/artiq/management/pyon.py
+++ b/artiq/management/pyon.py
@@ -119,3 +119,19 @@ def decode(s):
 
     """
     return eval(s, _eval_dict, {})
+
+
+def store_file(filename, x):
+    """Encodes a Python object and writes it to the specified file.
+
+    """
+    with open(filename, "w") as f:
+        f.write(encode(x))
+
+
+def load_file(filename):
+    """Parses the specified file and returns the decoded Python object.
+
+    """
+    with open(filename, "r") as f:
+        return decode(f.read())