3

I'm still learning EE. It seems easy enough to build something like a custom blog: define the fields I want, assign them to a channel, create templates to output the channel entries. Done.

But let's say I build a blog feature that I want to keep reusing. Is there a way to "package" what I have already created on one site so that it can be installed on another? Perhaps if this was the goal, I should not have built it using the Channels/Templates/etc CPanel in EE -- instead approach it some other way?

Some guidance please.

Update 1:

Just a side question: is there a blog addon for EE that's good? It's simple enough to build a basic one, but if someone has already taken the time to give it a lot of thought and do it "properly", I'd rather use that. I would probably want to update the template files to make it use Twitter Bootstrap if it doesn't already.

Improve this question

3 Answers 3

Reset to default
4

Leevie Graham introduced NSM Site Generator at EECI 2012 in Leiden. It’s an add-on which lets you build themes or reusable modules/packages including channels, custom fields, categories and statuses.

I have not tried it by myself but EE-Garage’s other add-ons are top-notch.

Check out Leevie’s slides from EECI 2012 Europe.

Improve this answer
1
3

You could create a base install with a database that includes all the channels, fields and templates that you like to use. Simply export the db from your base install and import it into your new project, and you have a site set up with everything set up the way you like.

You could maybe set up different base installs for different types of sites, e.g. one for a blog, or you could include a blog as a part of a larger base install and then just delete it if you don't need it. It depends on how you like to work and the needs of individual projects.

Improve this answer
3
  • Just don't forget to run a query (or amend your SQL install query) to update URLs and File Paths for each environment. You could probably package your base template into an archive file and then write a simple shell script / batch file to perform the install with a user prompt to input the paths of your server.
    – Lea Hayes
    Commented Dec 9, 2012 at 16:25
  • 2
    Or, even better, bootstrap your config and never set a server path or URL again...
    – Tom Davies
    Commented Dec 9, 2012 at 18:32
  • Yep, that's right. I never have problems with server paths when using a bootstrap config.
    – Tyssen
    Commented Dec 9, 2012 at 21:41
2

There is not a "blog addon" for ExpressionEngine specifically. Blogs are built with the native channels/fields/categories as needed for your specific project. EE is such that you have a blank slate when you start and you build exactly what you need.

You could build an EE addon that created your channel, fields, templates, etc with the click of a button if you wanted to replicate over and over. An easier approach would be to so a base install and replicate that for each project as needed.

Improve this answer
2
  • How would you build a "base install?"
    – ExpressionEngineNewbie
    Commented Dec 9, 2012 at 21:28
  • You'd install EE and configure everything (settings, channels, etc) as you would like. Then you'd clone that installation (files and DB) as needed.
    – Anna_MediaGirl ♦
    Commented Dec 10, 2012 at 4:36

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.