Documentation / Administrator Guide / Deployment / Zipfile

Zipfile

Introduction

The Zipfile deployment method in Staatic allows users to export their static WordPress site as a zip archive file. This method is ideal when you want to package your static site and store it locally or distribute it manually. Once the publication process is complete, the generated zipfile can be downloaded directly from the WordPress admin interface.

Key Benefits of Using Zipfile Deployment:

  • Offline Access: You can store and view the entire static site on your local machine without needing internet connectivity.
  • Flexibility: You can manually upload the zipfile to any web hosting provider, or transfer it to a different server or environment.
  • Control: This method allows you to review the entire site package before uploading it to a web server.

How to Access the Downloadable Zipfile

  • After publishing, navigate to the Publication Details page in Staatic.
  • Click on the Resources tab.
  • Select the Download button at the top of the page to download the zip archive of your static site.

Alternatively, if you’re managing multiple publications:

  • Visit the Publications Overview page.
  • Hover over the relevant publication, and click on the Download action link.

This method provides flexibility and portability, enabling users to host their static site elsewhere or share it with others as needed.

Preparation

No specific preparation steps are required before using this deployment method.

Configuration

To configure the Zipfile Deployment Method, follow these straightforward steps:

  1. Log in to your WordPress admin dashboard.
  2. Navigate to Staatic > Settings.
  3. Select the Deployment tab from the menu.
  4. In the deployment method dropdown, choose Zipfile.
  5. After selecting Zipfile, ensure you click the Save Changes button to apply the settings.

Troubleshooting

While the Zipfile deployment method is generally straightforward, you may encounter some issues during the download process. Below are some common problems and their potential solutions:

Timeouts or "This site can’t be reached"

If you experience time-out errors or receive a "This site can’t be reached" message when trying to download the zipfile, the issue is likely due to server timeout settings. Zipfiles, especially for larger websites, can take some time to generate and download, which may exceed your server’s or PHP’s default timeout limits.

Solution:

  • Increase Timeout Settings: Adjust your web server’s or PHP’s timeout settings to allow for more time during the download process. Depending on your hosting environment, this might involve modifying the php.ini file or increasing the time limit in the server configuration.
  • Alternative Method: If the timeout errors persist, consider switching to the Local Directory deployment method. This option stores your static site on the local file system of the server, from which you can manually download the site files via FTP or other file management tools.