Cloning applications to a new subdomain/subdirectory

The domain name that you choose during sign up will stay with you through all of your current and future build projects. This is why we recommend choosing a general and enduring name, such as a variation of your name. However, while working on your site, you might find that the name you chose doesn’t adequately describe your project anymore. In this instance, it is possible to clone your application to a subdomain or a subdirectory of your site that has a more desirable name.

If you want to clone your site to a subdirectory (so, the URL would change from something like YOURNAME.emerson.build to YOURNAME.emerson.build/project), you can create that directory during the cloning process. To clone to a subdomain (which would change the URL from YOURNAME.emerson.build to project.YOURNAME.emerson.build), the subdomain needs to be set up ahead of time.

Once you’re ready, head to the “My Apps”/”My Applications” area from your cPanel Dashboard.

  1. To the right of the name of the app you want to clone is a row of buttons, the “clone” button looks like a forked arrow. Click it.
    Single application row in the cPanel with Clone button marked
  2. On the “Clone” screen, verify that the correct information appears in the “Source” box. Under “Destination”, choose a previously created domain or enter a subdirectory name in the “Directory” field.
    • You will see the URL and file path for the cloned site listed below these fields.
  3. The other settings can be left as their defaults to automatically create and copy databases and settings.
  4. Click the “Clone” button at the bottom of the form. Depending on the size of your application, this may take some time to complete. A progress bar will keep you updated.
  5. After verifying that the cloned site works as expected, you can delete the original.

Tip: Cloning your application can also be used to test new themes and plugins without affecting your published content.