--- title: Import & Export slug: import-export description: Import or export your site's setup to copy structure between Cedros sites. productSlug: cedros productLabel: Cedros sectionKey: tools sectionLabel: Tools --- # Import & Export The Import & Export page lets you copy a site's setup from one Cedros site to another. A setup is a single JSON file that captures your structure — collections, collection rules, custom schema, site settings, redirects, nav menus, and email scaffolding. It does not include content like entries, contacts, analytics, or campaign history. Paste a setup file to import it into this site, or download this site's setup so you can carry it elsewhere. ## What's on this page The header reads **Import & Export** with the subtitle "Import or export your site's setup to copy structure between sites." If you do not have permission to run data operations, a read-only hint appears and the buttons are disabled. Header actions: - **Reset to Defaults** — Re-initializes this site with the default setup. - **Download Setup** — Generates this site's setup and loads it into the editor below. - **Import Setup** — Applies the setup currently in the editor. This button reads **Preview Import** instead when the preview option is turned on. The page has two cards: - **Site setup file** — Subtitled "Paste a setup export to import it, or export this site to copy its setup elsewhere." It holds a JSON editor labeled **Setup contents**, with the placeholder "Paste a site setup here to import it." This is where you paste a setup to import, or where a downloaded setup appears. - **Setup details** — A live **Setup summary** that updates as the editor is parsed. It lists the site name, collections, rules (contracts), custom schema (yes/no), site settings (yes/no), redirects, nav menus, email templates, email snippets, sending providers, and sender identities. When the editor is empty it reads "Nothing loaded yet — paste a setup file above." ### Advanced options A disclosure labeled **Advanced options** holds two checkboxes, with the note "Power-user controls — leave these alone unless you know you need them." - **Preview the import without making any changes** — Runs the import as a dry run. Nothing is changed; you see what would happen. Turning this on changes the button to **Preview Import**. - **Replace existing collection rules with the ones in the setup** — When on, imported rules replace this site's existing collection rules. When off, your existing rules are kept. ## Common things you can do here ### Export this site's setup Click **Download Setup**. The site's setup is generated and loaded into the editor, and you'll see "Export loaded into editor." For a guided, step-by-step export with review and download, use the [Export](export.md) wizard instead. ### Import a setup from another site Paste the setup JSON into **Setup contents**. Watch the **Setup details** summary to confirm it matches what you expect, then click **Import Setup**. On success you'll see "Import complete." ### Preview an import before applying it Open **Advanced options** and turn on **Preview the import without making any changes**. The button becomes **Preview Import**. Click it to validate the setup without changing anything — you'll see "Dry run complete." along with whether collection rules would be replaced or kept. ### Choose how collection rules are handled Open **Advanced options**. Turn on **Replace existing collection rules with the ones in the setup** to overwrite this site's rules with those in the setup. Leave it off to keep your existing rules. The result message confirms which happened: "Collection rules were replaced from the setup." or "Your existing collection rules were kept." ### Reset the site to defaults Click **Reset to Defaults** to re-initialize the site with the default setup. On success you'll see "Defaults initialized." ## Tips - **Read the summary before importing.** The **Setup details** summary updates as you paste. Confirm the site name and counts look right before you click **Import Setup**. - **Preview first when unsure.** A preview validates the setup and shows whether rules would change, without touching your site. - **Setup is structure only.** Entries, contacts, analytics, and campaign history are not included. Use a full backup if you need to migrate a whole deployment. - **For a guided export, use the wizard.** The [Export](export.md) page walks through generate, review, and download or copy in three steps. - **Permissions matter.** Import, export, and reset all require data operations write access. Without it the buttons are disabled and a read-only hint appears. Ask an admin if you need access. ## Troubleshooting - **The buttons are disabled?** You need data operations write access. If you don't have it, a read-only hint appears and you'll see "You do not have permission to run data operations." when you try to act. Ask an admin. - **Import Setup stays disabled?** It's disabled while the editor is empty, while the setup is still being read ("Reading setup…"), or when the pasted JSON has an error. Wait for parsing to finish and fix any reported problem. - **I see "Invalid import JSON"?** The text in **Setup contents** isn't valid JSON. Re-copy the full setup from the source site and paste it again. - **The button says "Preview Import," not "Import Setup"?** The preview option is on. Open **Advanced options** and turn off **Preview the import without making any changes** to apply changes for real. - **My collection rules didn't change after import?** The replace option was off, so your existing rules were kept ("Your existing collection rules were kept."). Turn on **Replace existing collection rules with the ones in the setup** and import again to overwrite them.