Cloning a Stack

Contentstack enables you to clone a stack and its associated structure and content using the cm:stacks:clone CLI command. This process lets you export data from a source stack and import it into a new or existing stack, facilitating rapid setup, testing, or migration. This guide uses the latest Contentstack CLI commands to ensure a seamless cloning experience.

Note: Before executing this command, ensure you have the required permissions for creating or accessing the destination stack. To know more about user roles and their permissions, refer to this documentation.

• Contentstack account
• Contentstack CLI installed and configured
• Configured authtoken

The cm:stacks:clone command lets you export content from the source stack and import it into the destination stack instantly.

Note: By default, an audit fix is performed on the exported content before import. This helps identify and address potential issues in the exported data.

Use the following options while performing the clone operation:

• -n, --stack-name=stack-name: Name for the new stack where cloned content will be stored.
• --destination-management-token-alias=destination-management-token-alias: Alias for the destination stack's management token.
• --destination-stack-api-key=destination-stack-api-key: API key of the destination stack.
• --source-stack-api-key=source-stack-api-key: API key of the source stack.
• --source-branch=source-branch: Name of the branch in the source stack.
• --source-branch-alias=source-branch-alias: Alias of the branch in the source stack.
• --source-management-token-alias=source-management-token-alias: Alias for the source stack's management token.
• --target-branch=target-branch: Name of the branch in the target stack.
• --target-branch-alias=target-branch-alias: Alias of the branch in the target stack.
• --import-webhook-status=<option>: [default: disable] (optional) The status of the import webhook. <options: disable|current>
• --type=type: Type of data to clone. You can select option a or b.
  a) Structure (all modules except entries & assets).
  b) Structure with content (all modules including entries & assets).
• --skip-audit: (optional) Skips the audit fix that occurs during an import operation.
• –y, --yes: Force override all Marketplace prompts.
• -c, --config: Path for the external configuration (an example of a config file is given below).
  Sample config file:
  {
      "master_locale": {
          "name": "English - United States",
          "code": "en-us"
        },
      "export": { 
                // export specific configs
               "fetchConcurrency": 1
        } ,
      "import": { 
                // import specific configs
               "entriesPublish": false
        }
  }
  

  On passing the --config flag, the config will be passed to export and import in the --clone command. You can pass separate or common config for export and import as given in the above sample config file.

Note: If the --yes flag is not passed, you’ll be prompted to enter an encryption key when cloning a Marketplace app with its configuration. You have three attempts to provide the correct key. After three failed attempts, the cloning process must be restarted from the beginning.

Follow the steps below to clone a stack using the cm:stacks:clone command:

1. Run the following command in your terminal:
   csdx cm:stacks:clone

2. Choose the organization from the displayed list.
3. Select the stack you want to clone.
4. Choose the branch of the stack.
5. Choose whether to clone content to a new stack or use an existing one:
   • Y: Create a new stack.
     • Select the destination organization.
     • The default name format: Copy of {source_stack_name}.
     • You can provide a custom name for the new stack.
   • n: Use an existing stack.
     • Select the destination organization and stack (must have permissions).

   Tip: To minimize errors, we recommend creating a new destination stack. If importing content into an existing stack, ensure that it is empty.

6. Select one of the following types of content to clone:
   • Structure: Imports only the schema (no entries/assets).
   • Structure with content: Imports schema, entries, and assets.

After you complete these prompts, the source stack’s content will be cloned to the destination stack.

Alternatively, you can also run the entire operation using a single command with parameters as given below:

csdx cm:stacks:clone -n "<>" --source-management-token-alias "<>" --destination-management-token-alias "<>" --target-branch "<>" --source-branch "<>" --type a|b {choose either a or b} -y

Examples:

• To clone content using management token aliases:
  csdx cm:stacks:clone --source-management-token-alias <<management token alias for source>> --destination-management-token-alias <<management token alias for destination>>

• To clone content and force override all Marketplace prompts:
  csdx cm:stacks:clone --source-management-token-alias <<management token alias for source>> --destination-management-token-alias <<management token alias for destination>> --yes

• To import content into an existing stack, ensure you have permissions to create or update content in that stack.
• Currently, we migrate only the latest version of entries and assets.
• To create a new stack, you must have the owner or admin rights in the destination organization.
• During workflow migration, admins and workflow stage users are not included. These must be manually reconfigured after cloning.
• The clone function supports the same modules as the CLI export and import commands.

Additional Resources: Learn more about the CLI-supported clone operations in the CLI-Supported Features for Export, Import, and Clone Operations document.