Import and Export Automations
    • 13 Oct 2025
    • 2 Minutes to read
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    Import and Export Automations

    • PDF

    Article summary

    The Import and Export Automations feature in Red Canary allows you to extract existing automation configurations from a specific subdomain, save them in a YAML file, and transfer to another subdomain. This eliminates the need for manual setup of triggers and playbooks, allowing you to easily scale your automation.

    Exporting Automations

    Note

    This feature has the following limitations:

    • Only active triggers and playbooks are included in the export.

    • Playbooks are only included if they’re linked to an active trigger.

    • Playbooks managed by Red Canary, such as those utilized by the Active Remediation team, are excluded even if they’re active.

    To export the automation:

    1. In your Red Canary portal, navigate to the Automation page.

    2. Click Export Automation. The YAML file will be emailed to the email address associated with your Red Canary user account.

    Importing Automations

    Note

    • Before importing, we recommend reviewing the contents of the YAML file to avoid errors or overwriting unintended automation rules.

    • Red Canary will not recognize duplicative automations. If you happen to upload the same automation twice, the automation will be duplicated. This won’t cause any issues from a technical perspective, but it will potentially create clutter that’ll need to be cleaned up.

    To import the automation:

    1. Download the YAML file Red Canary sent to the email associated with your account.

    2. In your Red Canary portal, navigate to the desired subdomain.

    3. Click Import Automation.

    4. (Optional) Click the checkbox Deactivate all existing automations before importing. If you don’t enable this option, existing automations in the subdomain will remain untouched and will coexist with the imported automations.

    5. Upload the YAML file and click Save.

    Red Canary will send a confirmation email that contains:

    • A status update (successful or unsuccessful).

    • A detailed count of how many records were successfully imported.

    • Basic troubleshooting information (if the import fails).

    If the import failed, review the error messages in the email notification for hints, then validate the YAML file formatting and structure against Red Canary's specifications.

    YAML File Schema

    The automation import/export YAML file uses the following schema:

    ---
    triggers:
    - name: string
      trigger: string
      sort_order: integer # optional
      trigger_type: string
      playbooks:
      - integer # can be multiple
      conditions:
      - model: string
        attribute_name: string
        matcher: string
        value: string
        nested_attribute: string # optional
    playbooks:
    - id: integer
      name: string
      description: string # optional
      actions: # can be multiple
      - type: string
        row_order: integer # optional
        data: hash
        secure_data: hash # optional
        async: boolean
        resource_type: string # optional
        resource_id: integer # optional
        should_run_if_playbook_successful: boolean

    FAQ


    Can I re-import the same YAML file across multiple subdomains?

    Yes, the YAML file isn’t subdomain-specific and so can be uploaded into more than one subdomain.

    What happens if I don’t check the "deactivate existing automation" option during import?

    Your existing automation settings will remain untouched and the imported automations will be imported alongside them.

    Will the system validate the YAML file before import?

    Yes, the portal validates the YAML file upon upload and warns you if the contents are improperly formatted.


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