> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.sandywp.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Clone a site

> Copy a WordPress site you control into a new SandyWP sandbox with the SandyWP Cloner plugin.

Use the SandyWP Cloner plugin to copy a live WordPress site you control into a new sandbox. The plugin packages and uploads the site, then SandyWP restores it for you.

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/sandy-wp/QrIaogrIPttSMHEN/images/docs/Clone-site.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=QrIaogrIPttSMHEN&q=85&s=bac219574ed4686ecedf9dfa496a805c" alt="The Clone page import flow" width="1392" height="1044" data-path="images/docs/Clone-site.png" />

## Before you start

You need a SandyWP account and administrator access to the source WordPress site. Open **Clone** in the SandyWP dashboard to find the plugin link and watch imports as they arrive.

## Clone a site

<Steps>
  <Step title="Install the Cloner plugin">
    Install and activate [SandyWP Cloner](https://wordpress.org/plugins/sandywp-cloner/) on the WordPress site you want to copy.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Connect the account">
    In the source site's **WP-Admin → Tools → SandyWP Cloner**, select **Connect to SandyWP** and approve the browser flow. An API token is available only as a fallback.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Start the clone">
    Select **Clone to SandyWP**. The plugin packages and uploads the site to your account.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Wait for restoration">
    Follow the import in the dashboard, then select **Open site** once its status is ready.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Import states

| State              | Meaning                                                        |
| ------------------ | -------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Waiting for upload | The import row exists and the plugin is preparing the archive. |
| Uploading          | The archive is transferring.                                   |
| Uploaded           | The archive arrived and is queued to restore.                  |
| Restoring          | SandyWP is building the sandbox from the archive.              |
| Ready              | The copied site is available as a normal sandbox.              |
| Failed             | The import did not finish; the row shows a reason.             |

The resulting sandbox has the usual tools and lifecycle. Deleting an import history row does not delete the resulting sandbox.

<Note>
  Clone archives can be up to 24 GB. They count toward your active-sandbox and storage limits, and you can cancel an import while it is uploading or restoring.
</Note>

Use [Templates](/guides/templates) to keep a reusable snapshot after a successful clone, or [Open wp-admin](/guides/open-wp-admin) to enter the new site.