Data Machine provides comprehensive import/export functionality for pipeline configurations, enabling backup, migration, and sharing of workflow templates across installations.

Overview

The import/export system handles pipeline structures including steps, configurations, and associated flow data. All operations are performed through WordPress actions and are accessible via the REST API.

Export Functionality

Export Process

Pipeline export generates a CSV file containing complete pipeline and flow configuration data:

pipeline_id,pipeline_name,step_position,step_type,step_config,flow_id,flow_name,handler,settings
1,"News Pipeline",0,"fetch","{""step_type"":""fetch"",""handler_slug"":""rss""}","","","",""
1,"News Pipeline",0,"fetch","{""step_type"":""fetch"",""handler_slug"":""rss""}",2,"Daily News","rss","{""url"":""https://example.com/feed""}"

Export Structure

The CSV export includes two types of rows:

1. Pipeline Structure Rows: Define the pipeline steps and their configurations
2. Flow Configuration Rows: Detail how each flow implements the pipeline steps with specific handlers and settings

Export Actions

// Export specific pipelines
do_action('datamachine_export', 'pipelines', [1, 2, 3]);

// Access export result
$csv_data = apply_filters('datamachine_export_result', '');

Import Functionality

Import Process

Pipeline import processes CSV data to recreate pipeline structures and flow configurations:

1. Parses CSV rows to identify pipeline names and step configurations
2. Creates pipelines if they don’t exist
3. Adds pipeline steps with proper execution ordering
4. Maintains flow-specific handler configurations

Import Actions

// Import CSV data
do_action('datamachine_import', 'pipelines', $csv_content);

// Access import result
$result = apply_filters('datamachine_import_result', []);
// Returns: ['imported' => [1, 2, 3]] - array of imported pipeline IDs

Import Behavior

• Pipeline Creation: Automatically creates pipelines with default flow configurations
• Step Synchronization: Adds steps to existing pipelines without duplication
• Flow Preservation: Maintains existing flow configurations while adding new pipeline steps
• Error Handling: Skips invalid rows and logs issues for troubleshooting

Security & Permissions

All import/export operations require manage_options capability, ensuring only administrators can perform these actions.

Use Cases

Backup & Restore

Regularly export pipeline configurations for backup purposes, enabling quick restoration after updates or migrations.

Migration

Export pipelines from development environments and import into production systems.

Template Sharing

Share pipeline templates between different WordPress installations or team members.

Version Control

Store pipeline configurations in external version control systems for change tracking.

Technical Details

• CSV Format: Standard CSV with proper escaping for complex JSON configurations
• Execution Ordering: Pipeline steps are sorted by execution_order during export
• Flow Isolation: Each flow’s handler configurations are preserved independently
• Database Integration: Direct integration with PipelineManager and PipelineStepManager services