File Import Publishing#

Publish layers from files (Shapefiles, GeoTIFF) using GeoServer Importer extension.

!!! note “Extension Required” This feature requires the GeoServer Importer extension to be installed and enabled.

Prerequisites#

GeoServer Importer extension installed
Shapefile (.zip) or GeoTIFF (.tif) file
Workspace created in GeoServer

Basic Usage#

Import Shapefile#

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./geoserver-cli publish file --file data.shp.zip -w my_workspace

Import GeoTIFF#

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./geoserver-cli publish file --file raster.tif -w my_workspace

Import Process#

Create Import: Uploads file and creates import job
Discover Tasks: GeoServer analyzes file and discovers publishable resources
Publish Tasks: Creates layers from discovered resources

Task Selection#

Publish All Tasks#

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# Publish all discovered tasks (default)
./geoserver-cli publish file --file data.shp.zip -w my_workspace --all

Publish Specific Tasks#

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# Publish only task IDs 1, 2, and 3
./geoserver-cli publish file --file data.shp.zip -w my_workspace --tasks 1,2,3

Dry Run#

Preview the import without publishing:

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./geoserver-cli publish file --file data.shp.zip -w my_workspace --dry-run

Output#

Import Created#

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Created import ID 42
Found 3 task(s):
  Task 1: roads (state: READY)
  Task 2: buildings (state: READY)
  Task 3: water (state: READY)

Publishing Results#

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Published task 1
Published task 2
Published task 3

Summary: published=3 failed=0

Error Handling#

Extension Not Available#

If Importer extension is not installed:

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Error: GeoServer Importer extension is not available or not enabled. 
Install the Importer extension to use this command

File Format Issues#

If file cannot be processed:

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Created import ID 42
Found 0 task(s): No tasks found in import. The import may still be processing.

Examples#

Complete Shapefile Import#

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# 1. Create workspace
./geoserver-cli workspace create my_workspace

# 2. Import Shapefile
./geoserver-cli publish file --file roads.shp.zip -w my_workspace

# 3. Configure layer
./geoserver-cli layer update roads --default-style line_style --enabled true

GeoTIFF Raster Import#

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# Import GeoTIFF
./geoserver-cli publish file --file elevation.tif -w my_workspace

# Note: Raster layers may need different configuration

Selective Task Publishing#

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# Import file (creates import job)
./geoserver-cli publish file --file complex_data.shp.zip -w my_workspace --dry-run

# Review discovered tasks, then publish specific ones
./geoserver-cli publish file --file complex_data.shp.zip -w my_workspace --tasks 1,3,5

Limitations#

Requires GeoServer Importer extension
File size limits depend on GeoServer configuration
Some file formats may require additional GeoServer extensions
Complex files may take time to process

Troubleshooting#

Check Extension Availability#

The CLI automatically detects if Importer is available. If you get an error, verify:

Importer extension is installed in GeoServer
Extension is enabled in GeoServer configuration
GeoServer user has permissions to use Importer

File Processing Issues#

If tasks are not discovered:

Verify file format is supported
Check GeoServer logs for processing errors
Ensure file is not corrupted
Try with a smaller test file first