Title: vip dev-env import sql
Published: July 7, 2026

---

 1. [VIP-CLI command reference](https://docs.wpvip.com/vip-cli/commands/)
 2. [vip dev-env](https://docs.wpvip.com/vip-cli/commands/dev-env/)
 3. [vip dev-env import](https://docs.wpvip.com/vip-cli/commands/dev-env/import/)
 4. vip dev-env import sql

#  vip dev-env import sql

Import a SQL file to a running local environment.

## Usage

    ```wp-block-preformatted
    vip dev-env import sql [options]
    ```

## Options

| Option | Description | 
|  `-h`, `--help` |  Retrieve a description, examples, and available options for a (sub)command. (default: false) |  
|  `-v`, `--version` |  Retrieve the version number of VIP-CLI currently installed on the local machine. (default: false) |  
|  `-d`, `--debug` |  [value] Generate verbose output during command execution to help identify or fix errors or bugs. |  
|  `-s`, `--slug` |  [value] A unique name for a local environment. Default is “vip-local”. |  
|  `-r`, `--search-replace` |  [value] Search for a string in the SQL file and replace it with a new string. |  
|  `-i`, `--in-place` |  [value] Perform a search and replace operation on the local SQL file and save the results. –skip-validate [value] Skip file validation. |  
|  `-k`, `--skip-reindex` |  [value] Skip Elasticsearch reindex after import. |  
|  `-q`, `--quiet` |  [value] Skip confirmation and suppress informational messages. |

## Examples

    ```wp-block-preformatted
    - Import the SQL file named "file.sql" from a path on the user's local machine to a running local environment named "example-site".$ vip dev-env import sql /Users/example/Downloads/file.sql --slug="example-site"- Search for the string "example-site.com" in the SQL file and replace it with "example-site.vipdev.lndo.site" during the import.$ vip dev-env import sql /Users/example/Downloads/file.sql --search-replace="example-site.com,example-site.vipdev.lndo.site" --slug="example-site"- Import the SQL file to a local environment with Elasticsearch enabled, and do not reindex after the import is completed.$ vip dev-env import sql /Users/example/Downloads/file.sql --search-replace="example-site.com,example-site.vipdev.lndo.site" --skip-reindex --slug="example-site"- Perform the search and replace operation on the local SQL file ("file.sql"), save the changes, and import the updated file to the local environment.$ vip dev-env import sql /Users/example/Downloads/file.sql --search-replace="example-site.com,example-site.vipdev.lndo.site" --in-place- Search and replace 2 pairs of strings during the import of the SQL file to a local multisite environment.$ vip dev-env import sql /Users/example/Downloads/file.sql --search-replace="example-site.com/site-three,site-three.example-site.vipdev.lndo.site" --search-replace="example-site.com,example-site.vipdev.lndo.site" --slug="example-site"
    ```

Last updated: July 07, 2026