# Offline export

> Export your documentation site as a self-contained zip archive for offline viewing, internal distribution, or air-gapped environment hosting.

:::callout{intent="info"}
Offline exports require an [Enterprise plan](https://mintlify.com/pricing?ref=offline-export).
:::

Use `mint export` to package your entire documentation site into a self-contained zip archive. Recipients can unzip and view the docs in their browser without an internet connection, a Mintlify account, or any build tools. They only need [Node.js](https://nodejs.org) installed.

This is useful when you need to distribute documentation to users who can't access your live site, such as for on-premise customers, air-gapped environments, or internal compliance reviews.

## Prerequisites

- The [CLI](/guides/cli-install) installed and up to date
- [Node.js](https://nodejs.org) v20.17.0+ installed

## Limitations

- Offline exports do not support search. To add offline search, index the exported HTML with a static search tool.
- Offline exports do not support the Mintlify assistant.

## Export your site

Navigate to your documentation directory containing your `docs.json` file and run:

```bash theme={null}
mint export
```

The CLI builds your site, crawls every page defined in your navigation, and packages the output into a zip file in your current directory.

### Options

| Flag                | Description                                                                                                                                                                                                   | Default      |
| ------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------ |
| `--output <path>`   | Set the output zip file path.                                                                                                                                                                                 | `export.zip` |
| `--groups <group>`  | Mock [user groups](/guides/deploy-authentication-setup#control-access-with-groups) for the export. Useful when your docs use group-based access control and you want the archive to include restricted pages. | —            |
| `--disable-openapi` | Skip OpenAPI file generation during the export. Use this if you have many OpenAPI specs and want faster builds.                                                                                               | —            |

For example, to export your site to a custom filename with a specific user group:

```bash theme={null}
mint export --output customer-docs.zip --groups enterprise
```

:::callout{intent="note"}
The export only includes pages listed in your navigation. [Hidden pages](/guides/organize-hidden-pages) are not included in the archive.
:::

### Security considerations

The exported archive is a static, unauthenticated bundle. Anyone with the zip file can view every page it contains.

- The `--groups` flag controls which group-restricted pages Mintlify includes in the archive at export time. It does not enforce authentication after export.
- Only share archives with recipients who are allowed to see the content they contain.
- Regenerate and redistribute the archive to publish new changes. Anyone running an older zip continues to see the older content.

## What's in the zip

The exported archive contains everything needed to view your docs offline:

| File                 | Purpose                                                  |
| -------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------- |
| HTML pages           | Pre-rendered version of every page in your navigation    |
| `_next/static/`      | Bundled CSS, JavaScript, and other static assets         |
| `serve.js`           | Zero-dependency Node.js HTTP server that serves the site |
| `Start Docs.command` | macOS launcher. Double-click to open the docs.           |
| `Start Docs.bat`     | Windows launcher. Double-click to open the docs.         |

## View the exported docs

Share the zip file with anyone who has Node.js installed. To view the docs:

:::::tabs
:::tab{title="Manual"}
1. Unzip the archive.
2. Open a terminal in the unzipped directory.
3. Run `node serve.js`.
4. Open `http://localhost:3000` in your browser.
:::

::::tab{title="macOS"}
1. Unzip the archive.
2. Double-click **Start Docs.command**.
3. The docs open in your default browser at `http://localhost:3000`.

:::callout{intent="note"}
macOS may block the file because it was downloaded from the internet. If you see a security warning, go to **System Settings > Privacy & Security** and click **Open Anyway**. See [Apple's guide to overriding security settings](https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/mh40617/mac) for details.
:::
::::

::::tab{title="Windows"}
1. Unzip the archive.
2. Double-click **Start Docs.bat**.
3. The docs open in your default browser at `http://localhost:3000`.

:::callout{intent="note"}
Windows may show a "Windows protected your PC" warning because the file was downloaded from the internet. Click **More info**, then click **Run anyway**.
:::
::::
:::::

## Related topics

- [Mintlify CLI command reference](/docs/cli/commands.md)
- [Migrate docs into Mintlify from a ZIP export](/docs/help-center/migrate-docs-from-a-zip-export.md)
- [Reusable snippets](/docs/create/reusable-snippets.md)

## Related pages

- [Ai](./ai-index.md)
- [Analytics overview](./analytics-index.md)
- [Api](./api-index.md)
- [Api playground](./api-playground-index.md)
- [Assistant](./assistant-index.md)
- [Automations overview](./automations-index.md)
- [Components overview](./components-index.md)
- [Create](./create-index.md)
- [Customize](./customize-index.md)
- [Dashboard](./dashboard-index.md)

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