Import and Export Theme Settings

What it helps you do

Copy a site’s look and configuration to another environment, keep a backup before big changes, or restore styles after migration — without re-clicking through every Customizer panel.

Where to find it

  • Dirigible → Import/Export in the WordPress admin sidebar.

The page has separate tools for styles, settings, and Additional CSS.

How to use it

Export

  1. Go to Dirigible → Import/Export.
  2. Click Export under Export Styles to download palette, typography, widths, and related style JSON.
  3. Click Export under Export Settings to download theme settings (header, footer, scripts, blog options, and other Customizer groups).
  4. Click Export under Export Additional CSS to download Customizer Additional CSS as a .css file.

Import

  1. Under Import Styles or Import Settings, choose a JSON file exported from Dirigible.
  2. Submit the form — imported values merge into the matching groups on this site.
  3. Open Appearance → Customize to review and Publish if the preview looks correct.

Move to another site

  1. Export styles and settings from the source site.
  2. On the destination site, import each file in the same order (styles first is usually easiest).
  3. Confirm fonts and plugins match — missing font plugins or blocks can make imported styles look different until those pieces are installed.

What happens automatically

  • Exports use a structured JSON format so imports know which setting group each value belongs to.
  • Older export files from previous Dirigible versions still import when possible.
  • Unknown groups in an uploaded file are reported and skipped rather than creating stray options.
  • Additional CSS export reflects what is saved in Customize → Additional CSS, not ad-hoc theme files.

Things to know

  • Import updates settings — it does not copy media files, menus, or page content. Logos and images still need to exist in the destination media library (or be re-uploaded).
  • Always review the Customizer preview after import; plugin-specific settings import only when that plugin is active on the destination site.
  • Take a fresh export before major redesigns so you can roll back.
  • Import/Export does not replace a full site backup plugin for database and uploads.

Related settings and guides