glab(1)                                                                glab(1)



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



SYNOPSIS
       glab variable import [flags]



DESCRIPTION
       The inverse of glab variable export. Reads a JSON array of variable
       objects, in the same shape export --output json emits.


       The command:

       o Reads from standard input, or from a file with --input-file.

       o Imports into the current project by default. Use --group to import
         into a group instead.

       o Stops with an error if a variable already exists. Pass --skip-
         existing to skip those and continue.


       Hidden variables' values aren't included in export output, so re-
       importing one is skipped with a warning. Set its value again with glab
       variable set --hidden.



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


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


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


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



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



EXAMPLE
       # 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



SEE ALSO
       glab-variable(1)

Auto generated by spf13/cobra      Jul 2026                            glab(1)