How to regenerate app.yml file if I delete it accidentally?

AI-generated summary

In response to th21 asking if accidentally deleting app.yml and running ./discourse-setup will wipe their site, italo confirms that data remains safe provided the /shared directory is untouched. They explain that discourse-setup primarily updates plugins, SMTP settings, and triggers a rebuild, and they recommend creating a backup first using the linked restore article.

pfaffman validates this assessment, stating that running discourse-setup again is safe and data will be intact. They provide specific commands to restart the existing container without reconfiguring everything: cd /var/discourse followed by ./launcher start app. Additionally, they suggest entering the container with ./launcher enter app, running discourse backup to ensure safety, and then exiting.

I try to add some plugins after restoring a site from a backup and delete the app.yml by mistake, will my site get wiped out if I do ./discourse-setup again?

Hi @th21!

I’m still new here, but I believe that if you don’t delete your /shared directory, all your data will be safe. What the ./discourse-setup will change are the plugins, smtp settings and then run rebuild. I would wait for further confirmation, as I’m a new user, but I’m almost sure of that.

You can always do a backup and restore later as well. Check this article for more information on that.

Nice work, @italo!

Yes, it should be safe to run discourse-setup again and your data should be intact.

You might do

cd /var/discourse
./launcher start app

That will restart your old container.

./launcher enter app
discourse backup

That will make a backup.

Type exit to get out of the container.