# CLI Import & Export

The CLI allows you to import and export resources to and from files.

Import is done on a per-resource basis, the directory structure defined by the CLI.  A base directory can be provided by the **—dir** flag.

Processors, connectors, topics, and schemas have an additional prefix flag to restrict resources to export.

```bash
#export
lenses-cli export acls --dir my-dir
lenses-cli export alert-channels --dir my-dir
lenses-cli export alert-settings --dir my-dir
lenses-cli export connections --dir my-dir
lenses-cli export connectors --dir my-dir
lenses-cli export processors --dir my-dir
lenses-cli export quota --dir my-dir
lenses-cli export schemas --dir my-dir
lenses-cli export topics --dir my-dir
lenses-cli export policies --dir my-dir
lenses-cli export groups --dir my-dir
lenses-cli export serviceaccounts --dir my-dir

#import
lenses-cli import acls --dir my-dir
lenses-cli import alert-channels --dir my-dir
lenses-cli import alert-settings --dir my-dir
lenses-cli import connections --dir my-dir
lenses-cli import connectors --dir my-dir
lenses-cli import processors --dir my-dir
lenses-cli import quota --dir my-dir
lenses-cli import schemas --dir my-dir
lenses-cli import topics --dir my-dir
lenses-cli import policies --dir my-dir
lenses-cli import groups --dir my-dir
lenses-cli import serviceaccounts --dir my-dir
```

## Directory structure

The expected directory structure is:

```
my-dir
├── alert-settings
│   └── alert-setting.yaml
├── apps
│   ├── connectors
│   │   ├── connector-1.yaml
│   │   └── connector-2.yaml
│   └── sql
├── groups
│   └── groups.yaml
├── kafka
│   ├── quotas
│   │   └── quotas.yaml
│   └── topics
│       ├── topic-1.yaml
│       └── topic-2.yaml
├── policies
│   └── policies-city.yaml
├── service-accounts
│   └── service-accounts.yaml
└── schemas
    ├── schema-1.yaml
    └── schema-2.yaml
```

## SQL Processors

Only the update of name, cluster name, namespace, and runner are allowed. Changes to the SQL are effectively the creation of a new Processor.


---

# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.lenses.io/latest/devx/5.5/deployment/installation/automation/cli-import-and-export.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.