Import a project from Replit, Bolt, v0, or another tool
You can bring an app you built in another tool into Lovable by exporting its code and data. Lovable rebuilds your app, moves its database and users to Lovable Cloud, and verifies it works.
Anyone who wants to move an existing app from another platform like Replit or Bolt to Lovable.
Do this, in order
- 1
On your Lovable dashboard, click the '+' button in the prompt input and choose 'Import project to Lovable'.
This opens the import process to bring your app into Lovable.
- 2
Select the tool where your project currently lives (e.g., Replit, Bolt, v0) or 'Upload code' if it's from another source.
This tells Lovable how to guide you through exporting your project.
- 3
Follow the numbered steps in the dialog to export your project's code as a ZIP file from the other tool.
Lovable needs your app's code to rebuild it as a Lovable project.
- 4
Upload the ZIP file into the dialog, then click 'Start import'.
This begins the process of Lovable migrating your code.
- 5
Wait for Lovable to migrate your project, which will report its progress and any missing items in the project chat.
Lovable will inspect, rebuild, and verify your app, and tell you what else it needs, like database exports or API keys.
- 6
When Lovable asks, export your app's database tables and user accounts from the other tool and attach them as CSV or JSON files in the Lovable project chat.
Your code export doesn't include your data, so you need to provide it separately for Lovable to import it into Lovable Cloud.
Paste this into your project
Please import my project. I have exported the code as a ZIP file and will provide database exports and API keys when you ask for them.
Words decoded
- Lovable Cloud
- Lovable's online service where your app's database and user information are stored and managed.
- API keys
- Secret codes that allow your app to connect to and use services like payment processors (e.g., Stripe) or email providers.
- ZIP file
- A single file that contains one or more compressed files or folders, used here to package your app's code.
- Dashboard
- The main screen in Lovable where you manage your projects and account.
- Project chat
- A conversation area within your Lovable project where Lovable communicates with you about your app and you can give instructions.
- Authentication
- The process of verifying a user's identity, typically through a login system.
- TanStack Start
- A modern framework Lovable uses to build new apps, ensuring your imported app benefits from current best practices.
- Webhook address
- A URL where one service (like Stripe) sends automatic notifications to your app when certain events happen (like a payment).
Where people get stuck
- Forgetting to export your database records and user accounts separately, as they are not included in the code ZIP.
- Uploading a ZIP file larger than 250 MB, which happens if you include unnecessary files like 'node_modules' or build output.
- Expecting users to sign in with their old passwords, as passwords do not transfer and users will need to set new ones.
- Not providing API keys when Lovable asks, which prevents parts of your app from being fully verified.
- Trying to import a project when the 'Import project to Lovable' option is not yet available in your account.
- Using a single SQL dump for your database export instead of separate CSV or JSON files for each table.
The short version, steps, decoder and prompt on this page are written automatically from Lovable's own documentation and can lag or misread it. The official page is always the authority.