Sync your files

To create a Site, CloudCannon needs to sync your website files from their current location. You can:

Upload files from local storage.
Connect CloudCannon to your Git provider (we recommend this method).
Start with a CloudCannon template and push it to your Git provider.

This guide covers creating a Site using files stored on a Git provider.

If you haven't already, sign up for CloudCannon. After logging in and selecting an Organization, click the Sites button in the App Sidebar.

You can add a new Site to CloudCannon using the + Add new Site button at the top right of the Sites page. In the Create a Site modal, click the Use your own files option.

A screenshot of the Create a Site modal shows two buttons for Use a template and Use your own files.

Use the File source dropdown to select the Git provider you use for your site files. CloudCannon supports GitHub, Bitbucket, GitLab, and self-hosted GitLab.

If this is your first time using CloudCannon, you must give CloudCannon permission to access your Git provider.

Select your Git provider using the File source dropdown, then click the Authenticate button. CloudCannon will forward you to your Git provider login screen.

A screenshot of the Create a Site page shows the File Source dropdown, with options for Bitbucket, GitHub, Gitlab, and local files.

After confirming your Git provider, the Repository dropdown will list all the available repositories on your account. Select your Site repository.

A screenshot of the Create a Site page shows the Repository dropdown, with options for Bitbucket, GitHub, Gitlab, and local files.

As a Git-based CMS, CloudCannon uses branches for better version control and to enable you to work on updates to your Site in parallel.

Use the Branch setup radio buttons to select either Use an existing branch or Create a new branch. You will most likely want to use an existing branch, but if you want to try CloudCannon without impacting your existing work, you can create a new one.

If you select Use an existing branch, use the Branch dropdown to select a branch from your repository.

If you select Create a new branch, use the Source branch dropdown to select a branch from your repository to copy and enter a name in the new branch name field.

A screenshot of the Create a Site page shows the Branch setup options, including Use an existing branch or Create a new branch.

Use the Site name field to add a name for your Site. This affects what CloudCannon calls your Site and doesn't affect your repository in your Git provider.

CloudCannon will automatically populate this field with the same name as your repository, but you can choose any name for your Site.

A screenshot of the Create a Site page shows the Site Name text field for the name of your site in CloudCannon.

Click the Create site and start syncing button at the bottom of the page.

CloudCannon will begin syncing your files from your Git provider. This process is usually quick, but it may take a few minutes for larger repositories.