# Deploying flow to multiple systems, and updating

**URL:** <https://discourse.nodered.org/t/deploying-flow-to-multiple-systems-and-updating/26434>\
**Category:** Dashboard\
**Created:** [10 May 2020 15:14 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/deploying-flow-to-multiple-systems-and-updating/26434 "2020-05-10T15:14:12Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![bdbell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/34f0e0/32.png) [@bdbell](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/bdbell)\
**Post date:** [10 May 2020 15:14 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/deploying-flow-to-multiple-systems-and-updating/26434/1 "2020-05-10T15:14:12Z")

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Yesterday I posted a question about a problem I found when trying to export a flow from one raspberry pi to another, I found that spacers are not included in an export/import. I am relying on spacers to be able to align things in my Dashboard UI and make it look better, but if the spacers are not included in the export/import then it will make deploying my flow in multiple systems and later updating them with changes to the flow difficult.

I am creating this flow for use on Raspberry Pi compute modules - which require an IO board for flashing - this makes it more difficult to deal with than if it were an SD card...

Are there any other options that can be done to avoid having to do a complete flash for updating the flow with the spacers and layout intact? Would a replacement of the complete .node-red directory on the Pi work?

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**Author:** ![Colin](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/colin/32/17040_2.png) [@Colin](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Colin)\
**Post date:** [10 May 2020 15:29 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/deploying-flow-to-multiple-systems-and-updating/26434/2 "2020-05-10T15:29:25Z")

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You can copy just the flows file to get the flows. However, if you want to get a working system with any additional nodes installed then also copy package.json and package-lock.json and probably settings.js. Then go into the .node-red directory and run  
`npm install`  
that will pull in any additional nodes the flow requires (they are specified in the package files).

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**Author:** ![bdbell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/34f0e0/32.png) [@bdbell](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/bdbell)\
**Post date:** [10 May 2020 15:55 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/deploying-flow-to-multiple-systems-and-updating/26434/3 "2020-05-10T15:55:54Z")

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Hi @Colin - thanks again for your quick reply. I just tested this method and it works - just need to rename the machine part of the flows\_machinename.json to the new machine, and copy any context settings to the new context folder. Copying the flows file seems to work much better than export/import as it also retains the Dashboard theme and settings.

Much appreciated @Colin - thanks!

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**Author:** ![dceejay](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/dceejay/32/38_2.png) [@dceejay](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/dceejay)\
**Post date:** [10 May 2020 16:19 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/deploying-flow-to-multiple-systems-and-updating/26434/4 "2020-05-10T16:19:18Z")

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in your settings.js file - you can fix the flow file name so you don't have to rename it per device... (as long as you copy over the settings.js file also)

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**Author:** ![system](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/uploads/nodered/original/1X/d073cd938eafa2e558d7c2cd59003b3ef4963033.png) [@system](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/system)\
**Post date:** [9 June 2020 16:19 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/deploying-flow-to-multiple-systems-and-updating/26434/5 "2020-06-09T16:19:32Z")

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