Design Import/Export – Styles, Templates, Template Parts and Patterns
Quickly and easily import and export your block based full site editing theme design: global/custom styles, templates, template parts and patterns.
Use with caution
Design Import/Export works, but test it on a staging site before relying on it in 2026. It runs on 200+ sites, is rated 5/5 and was last updated 10 months ago, and scores 53/100 on our health check.
- Small user base (200+ active installs)
- Only tested up to WordPress 6.9 (latest is 7.1)
How does it stack up?
Side-by-side on installs, updates, ratings & support
Daily downloads
Download spikes usually follow a new release — each site that auto-updates counts as a download.
Rankings
Where Design Import/Export stands todayWordPress.org search rankings
Live position in the plugin search, top 100| Keyword | Position |
|---|---|
| export | #82 |
| global styles | #21 |
| import | >100 |
| template parts | #10 |
| templates | >100 |
Version adoption
Share of active sites per release.
Rating breakdown
★★★★★★★★★★ 5 from 6 reviews
About Design Import/Export
From the official readme · v2.3Description
Import and export your block based theme design: global/custom styles, templates, template parts and patterns.
Easily move your custom full site editing theme design from one website to another, or from a local installation to a live site.
Ideal for designers and developers working with the Site Editor and a block based full-site-editing theme, who have edited their block based custom styles, templates, template parts and patterns, and now need to copy that design over to a new WordPress installation.
The Design Import/Export plugin allows this to be done with minimal fuss, and can also be used to take regular backups of your block theme based design(s).
Works with any full-site-editing block theme.
License
Licensed under the GNU General Public License v2.0,
http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-2.0.html
Installation
From your WordPress dashboard
- Visit ‘Plugins > Add New’,
- Search for ‘design import export’ and install the plugin.
- Activate ‘Design Import/Export’ from your Plugins page.
Once the plugin is activated you will find the plugin page in Tools -> Design Import/Export
Frequently asked questions
I have activated the plugin. Where is the plugin page?
You will find the plugin page in your Dashboard at Tools -> Design Import/Export.
What theme do I need to make use of the plugin?
You will need any block based (full site editing) compatible theme.
Do I need to install any other plugins?
No.
Where are the import files saved?
Any files that you upload using the import function will be saved as .txt files to the default WordPress media/uploads directory. An example of that directory would be: ../wp-content/uploads/2021/07/.
Changelog
2.3 – December 2025
– Security updates
– Tested up to WP 6.9
2.2 – October 2025
– Fix for mis-named js/css assets
– Moved plugin menu item from top level to sub-item in tools
2.1 – October 2025
– Renamed relevant internal files from design-import to design-import-export
– Renamed relevant function prefixes from design_import_ to design_import_export_
– Tested up to WP 6.8
2.0 – December 2024
– Added functionality to import/export custom block patterns
– Tested up to WP 6.7
– Requires WP 6.3
1.1.1 – March 2023
– Remove some unused commented code
1.1 – March 2023
– Tested up to WP 6.2
– Requires WP 6.1
– Check if active theme is a block theme
– Only list block themes in export panel list
– Move current active theme to top of list in export panel
1.0 – February 2022
– Tested up WP 5.9
– Requires WP 5.9
0.1.4 – August 2021
– Updated plugin title to clarify the plugin’s purpose.
0.1.3 – July 2021
– Initial release
Screenshots
For developers
Is this your plugin? Show off the numbers.
Add a live badge to your site, docs or GitHub README. It updates on its own — no account needed.
Best Design Import/Export alternatives
All export plugins →
FAQ
Design Import/Export: quick answers
Straight answers, pulled from live WordPress.org data.
Live data from WordPress.org · checked Oct 16, 2026
Is Design Import/Export free?
Yes. Design Import/Export is free to download and use from the official WordPress.org plugin directory.
Is Design Import/Export safe to use in 2026?
Design Import/Export works, but test it on a staging site before relying on it in 2026. It runs on 200+ sites, is rated 5/5 and was last updated 10 months ago, and scores 53/100 on our health check.
How many websites use Design Import/Export?
Design Import/Export is active on 200+ WordPress websites and has been downloaded 7,631 times since it launched in July 2021. It was downloaded 272 times in the last 30 days.
Does Design Import/Export work with WordPress 7.1?
Design Import/Export is officially tested up to WordPress 6.9.10, while the latest release is 7.1.3. It may still work, but try it on a staging site first.
What PHP version does Design Import/Export need?
Design Import/Export requires PHP 7.4 or higher. Most hosts run PHP 8.x today, so it works on any modern WordPress hosting.
When was Design Import/Export last updated?
The latest version, 2.3, was released on December 10, 2025 (10 months ago).
Who makes Design Import/Export?
Design Import/Export is developed and maintained by UXL Themes.
What are the best alternatives to Design Import/Export?
The most popular alternatives to Design Import/Export are Widget Importer & Exporter (200K+ installs), Customizer Export/Import (100K+ installs) and Advanced Order Export For W… (100K+ installs).
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