QGIS Project Export#

Generate complete QGIS project files (.qgs) with pre-configured layers from GeoServer.

Basic Usage#

Single Workspace#

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./geoserver-cli qgis export project -w my_workspace -o geoserver_layers.qgs

All Workspaces#

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./geoserver-cli qgis export project --all-workspaces -o all_layers.qgs

Custom Title#

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./geoserver-cli qgis export project -w my_workspace -o layers.qgs --title "Production Layers"

Layer Types#

WMS Only#

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./geoserver-cli qgis export project -w my_workspace -o wms_layers.qgs --wms-only

WFS Only#

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./geoserver-cli qgis export project -w my_workspace -o wfs_layers.qgs --wfs-only

Both (Default)#

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# Includes both WMS and WFS layers
./geoserver-cli qgis export project -w my_workspace -o layers.qgs

Output#

Project File#

The generated .qgs file is a standard QGIS project file that can be opened directly:

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# Open in QGIS
qgis geoserver_layers.qgs

Summary#

After generation, you’ll see:

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Generated QGIS project: geoserver_layers.qgs
  WMS layers: 15
  WFS layers: 12
Note: Configure QGIS Auth Manager for secured GeoServer instances.

Layer Discovery#

The command automatically:

  1. Fetches WMS GetCapabilities
  2. Fetches WFS GetCapabilities
  3. Discovers all available layers
  4. Generates project file with layer references

Examples#

Complete Workflow#

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# 1. Export project
./geoserver-cli qgis export project -w production -o prod_layers.qgs

# 2. Configure QGIS Auth Manager (see guide)

# 3. Open in QGIS
qgis prod_layers.qgs

Development Testing#

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# Export dev workspace
./geoserver-cli qgis export project -w dev -o dev_layers.qgs --title "Dev Environment"

# Test in QGIS
qgis dev_layers.qgs

Production Deployment#

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# Export all workspaces
./geoserver-cli qgis export project --all-workspaces -o production.qgs --title "Production GeoServer"

# Share with team (each configures auth)

WFS Editing Project#

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# Create project with only WFS layers for editing
./geoserver-cli qgis export project -w my_workspace -o editing.qgs --wfs-only --title "Editing Project"

Project Structure#

The generated project includes:

  • Project metadata: Title, CRS, extent
  • WMS layers: Configured with proper URLs and styles
  • WFS layers: Ready for editing (if WFS-T is enabled)
  • Layer metadata: Names, titles, extents

Authentication#

!!! important “Authentication Required” For secured GeoServer instances, configure QGIS Auth Manager before opening the project.

See QGIS Authentication Guide for setup.

Limitations#

  • Project CRS defaults to EPSG:4326 (can be changed in QGIS)
  • Layer styles use default GeoServer styles
  • Complex layer configurations may need manual adjustment in QGIS

Troubleshooting#

Layers Don’t Load#

  1. Verify GeoServer is accessible
  2. Check QGIS Auth Manager configuration
  3. Ensure WMS/WFS services are enabled in GeoServer
  4. Check GeoServer logs for errors

Missing Layers#

If some layers don’t appear:

  1. Verify layers are published and enabled
  2. Check layer permissions in GeoServer
  3. Ensure layers are advertised (if using GetCapabilities)

Authentication Errors#

See QGIS Authentication Guide for detailed troubleshooting.

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