---
name: "rt-dump-initialdata-5"
section: "8"
platform: "linux"
package: "request-tracker5"
version: "5.0.7+dfsg-4+deb13u3"
release: "Debian 13 (Trixie)"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/rt-dump-initialdata-5"
---

# rt-dump-initialdata-5(8)

Serialize an RT database to disk

## NAME

rt-dump-initialdata - Serialize an RT database to disk

## SYNOPSIS

```
    rt-validator --check && rt-dump-initialdata
```

This script is used to write out the objects initialdata supports from RT database to disk, for later import into a different RT instance.  It requires that the data in the database be self-consistent, in order to do so; please make sure that the database being exported passes validation by rt-validator before attempting to use `"rt-dump-initialdata"`.

While running, it will attempt to estimate the number of remaining objects to be dumped; these estimates are pessimistic, and will be incorrect if `"--no-users"` or `"--no-groups"` is used.

If the controlling terminal is large enough (more than 25 columns high) and the `"gnuplot"` program is installed, it will also show a textual graph of the queue size over time.

### OPTIONS

- **--directory** *name*

  The name of the output directory to write data files to, which should not exist yet; it is a fatal error if it does.  Defaults to `"./`*$Organization*`:`*Date*`/"`, where *$Organization* is as set in *RT\_SiteConfig.pm*, and *Date* is today's date.

- **--force**

  Remove the output directory before starting.

- **--no-users**

  By default, all privileged users are dumped; passing `"--no-users"` limits it to only those users which are referenced by dumped tickets and history, and are thus necessary for internal consistency.

- **--no-groups**

  By default, all groups are dumped; passing `"--no-groups"` limits it to only system-internal groups, which are needed for internal consistency.

- **--no-assets**

  By default, all assets are dumped; passing `"--no-assets"` skips assets during serialization.

- **--no-disabled**

  By default, all queues, custom fields, etc, including disabled ones, are dumped; passing `"--no-disabled"` skips such disabled records during serialization.

- **--no-deleted**

  By default, all assets, including deleted ones, are dumped; passing `"--no-deleted"` skips deleted assets.

- **--no-scrips**

  By default, all scrips and templates are dumped; passing `"--no-scrips"` skips them.

- **--no-acls**

  By default, all ACLs are dumped; passing `"--no-acls"` skips them.

- **--no-queues**

  By default, all queues are dumped; passing `"--no-queues"` skips them.

- **--limit-queues**

  Takes a list of queue IDs or names separated by commas. When provided, only that set of queues will be dumped.

- **--sync**

  By default, record ids are ordinarily excluded. Pass `"--sync"` to include record ids if you intend to use this for sync rather than creating a generic initialdata.

- **--base** *file*

  The file path which the to be generated *initialdata.json* will compare to. If there are any changes, they will be saved to *changes.json*.

  This option implies `"--sync"`.

- **--gc** *n*

  Adjust how often the garbage collection sweep is done; lower numbers are more frequent.  It shares the same code with `"rt-serializer"`, See "GARBAGE COLLECTION" in rt-serializer.

- **--page** *n*

  Adjust how many rows are pulled from the database in a single query.  Disable paging by setting this to 0.  Defaults to 100.

- **--quiet**

  Do not show graphical progress UI.

- **--verbose**

  Do not show graphical progress UI, but rather log was each row is written out.