Scoop Export & Import for Reproducible Environments

Intermediatev1.0.0

Create reproducible Windows environments with Scoop export/import — backup installed apps, share configurations across machines, and automate environment provisioning.

Content

Overview

Scoop's export/import feature creates a JSON snapshot of your installed apps, buckets, and versions. Share this file to reproduce your exact environment on any Windows machine — the equivalent of Homebrew's Brewfile.

Why This Matters

-Machine migration — recreate your environment on a new PC
-Team consistency — everyone gets the same tools
-Disaster recovery — rebuild after a Windows reset
-Onboarding — new team members set up in minutes

How It Works

Step 1: Export Current Environment

powershell

# Export to JSON
scoop export > ~/scoop-packages.json

# View the export
cat ~/scoop-packages.json

The export file looks like:

json

{
  "buckets": [
    { "Name": "main", "Source": "https://github.com/ScoopInstaller/Main" },
    { "Name": "extras", "Source": "https://github.com/ScoopInstaller/Extras" }
  ],
  "apps": [
    { "Name": "git", "Source": "main", "Version": "2.44.0" },
    { "Name": "nodejs", "Source": "main", "Version": "21.7.0" },
    { "Name": "neovim", "Source": "main", "Version": "0.9.5" }
  ]
}

Step 2: Import on New Machine

powershell

# Install Scoop first (if not installed)
Set-ExecutionPolicy -ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned -Scope CurrentUser
Invoke-RestMethod -Uri https://get.scoop.sh | Invoke-Expression

# Import packages
scoop import ~/scoop-packages.json

Step 3: Bootstrap Script

powershell

# bootstrap.ps1 — Full environment setup
$ErrorActionPreference = "Stop"

# Install Scoop if needed
if (!(Get-Command scoop -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue)) {
    Set-ExecutionPolicy -ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned -Scope CurrentUser
    Invoke-RestMethod -Uri https://get.scoop.sh | Invoke-Expression
}

# Install Git first (required for buckets)
scoop install git

# Add buckets
scoop bucket add extras
scoop bucket add versions
scoop bucket add nerd-fonts

# Install core tools
scoop install neovim fzf ripgrep fd bat eza jq starship
scoop install nodejs python go rust

# Install fonts
scoop install nerd-fonts/FiraCode-NF

Write-Host "Environment setup complete!" -ForegroundColor Green

Best Practices

-Export regularly — keep the JSON file in your dotfiles repo
-Include a bootstrap script — handles Scoop installation + import
-Test imports on clean machines — verify reproducibility
-Version your export — commit to Git after significant changes
-Separate team vs personal — team-export.json vs personal-export.json

Common Mistakes

-Not installing git before adding buckets (Git is required for buckets)
-Exporting without updating first (includes outdated versions)
-Not testing import on a clean machine
-Missing bucket declarations in bootstrap scripts

FAQ

Discussion

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How It Works

Step 1: Export Current Environment

powershell

# Export to JSON
scoop export > ~/scoop-packages.json

# View the export
cat ~/scoop-packages.json

The export file looks like:

json

{
  "buckets": [
    { "Name": "main", "Source": "https://github.com/ScoopInstaller/Main" },
    { "Name": "extras", "Source": "https://github.com/ScoopInstaller/Extras" }
  ],
  "apps": [
    { "Name": "git", "Source": "main", "Version": "2.44.0" },
    { "Name": "nodejs", "Source": "main", "Version": "21.7.0" },
    { "Name": "neovim", "Source": "main", "Version": "0.9.5" }
  ]
}

Step 2: Import on New Machine

powershell

# Install Scoop first (if not installed)
Set-ExecutionPolicy -ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned -Scope CurrentUser
Invoke-RestMethod -Uri https://get.scoop.sh | Invoke-Expression

# Import packages
scoop import ~/scoop-packages.json

Step 3: Bootstrap Script

powershell

# bootstrap.ps1 — Full environment setup
$ErrorActionPreference = "Stop"

# Install Scoop if needed
if (!(Get-Command scoop -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue)) {
    Set-ExecutionPolicy -ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned -Scope CurrentUser
    Invoke-RestMethod -Uri https://get.scoop.sh | Invoke-Expression
}

# Install Git first (required for buckets)
scoop install git

# Add buckets
scoop bucket add extras
scoop bucket add versions
scoop bucket add nerd-fonts

# Install core tools
scoop install neovim fzf ripgrep fd bat eza jq starship
scoop install nodejs python go rust

# Install fonts
scoop install nerd-fonts/FiraCode-NF

Write-Host "Environment setup complete!" -ForegroundColor Green