.nh
.TH "glab" "1" "Jul 2026" "Auto generated by spf13/cobra" ""

.SH NAME
glab-variable-import - Import variables from a JSON file or standard input.


.SH SYNOPSIS
\fBglab variable import [flags]\fP


.SH DESCRIPTION
The inverse of \fBglab variable export\fR\&. Reads a JSON array of
variable objects, in the same shape \fBexport --output json\fR emits.

.PP
The command:
.IP \(bu 2
Reads from standard input, or from a file with \fB--input-file\fR\&.
.IP \(bu 2
Imports into the current project by default. Use \fB--group\fR to
import into a group instead.
.IP \(bu 2
Stops with an error if a variable already exists. Pass
\fB--skip-existing\fR to skip those and continue.

.PP
Hidden variables' values aren't included in \fBexport\fR output,
so re-importing one is skipped with a warning. Set its value again
with \fBglab variable set --hidden\fR\&.


.SH OPTIONS
\fB-g\fP, \fB--group\fP=""
	Select a group or subgroup. Ignored if a repository argument is set.

.PP
\fB-i\fP, \fB--input-file\fP=""
	Read the variables JSON from this file instead of standard input.

.PP
\fB-R\fP, \fB--repo\fP=""
	Select another repository. You can use either OWNER/REPO or GROUP/NAMESPACE/REPO. The full URL or Git URL is also accepted.

.PP
\fB--skip-existing\fP[=false]
	Skip variables that already exist instead of failing.


.SH OPTIONS INHERITED FROM PARENT COMMANDS
\fB-h\fP, \fB--help\fP[=false]
	Show help for this command.


.SH EXAMPLE
.EX
# Pipe an export straight into an import, to restore the same project
glab variable export | glab variable import

# Import variables from a saved file instead of standard input
glab variable import --input-file variables.json

# Import into a group instead of the current project
glab variable export --group gitlab-org | glab variable import --group gitlab-org

# Skip variables that already exist instead of failing
glab variable import --input-file variables.json --skip-existing
.EE


.SH SEE ALSO
\fBglab-variable(1)\fP