# How to do automated imports {#how-to-do-automated-imports}



## Preparation {#preparation}


First, do this:

1. [How to install the Data Importer](https://sourcey-firefly.pages.dev/how-to/data-importer/installation/docker/index.md)
2. [How to import using the CLI](https://sourcey-firefly.pages.dev/how-to/data-importer/advanced/cli/index.md)
3. [How to import using HTTP POST](https://sourcey-firefly.pages.dev/how-to/data-importer/advanced/post/index.md)


## Configuration {#configuration}


Then, in the `.importer.env`-file:

- Add `IMPORT_DIR_ALLOWLIST=/import`
- Add a value for `FIREFLY_III_ACCESS_TOKEN`
- Add `NORDIGEN` or `SPECTRE` credentials (`NORDIGEN` is used for GoCardless).
- Set `CAN_POST_AUTOIMPORT=true`
- Set `CAN_POST_FILES=true`
- Set `AUTO_IMPORT_SECRET` using a random string of at least 16 characters. This is used to secure the auto-import endpoint. Visit [this page on random.org](https://www.random.org/passwords/?num=1&len=16&format=html&rnd=new) for inspiration.


And in the Docker Compose file from the installer, mount a local directory to `/import` in the container:

```yaml
volumes:
  - ./import:/import
```


## Run the import once {#run-the-import-once}


In the Data Importer, run through the import and download the configuration file. Put the JSON-file in the import folder you created and bound to the container. Be sure to name it `config.json`. The name can be anything though.


## Run another import, automatically {#run-another-import-automatically}


Run the following command:

```bash
docker exec firefly_iii_importer php artisan importer:import /import/config.json
```

Where `firefly_iii_importer` is the container ID, and where `config.json` is the configuration file from the previous step. This should run the import again.


## Make it a cron job {#make-it-a-cron-job}


To make this a cron job, run `crontab -e` and add the following line:

```cronexp
0 22 * * * docker exec firefly_iii_importer php artisan importer:import /import/config.json
```

This particular cron job will run on the host system. To make the cron job for the data importer a part of the `docker-compose.yml` file as well, you'll need to do something more complex.

1. Specify the `AUTO_IMPORT_SECRET` in your `.importer.env` file. This value must be at least 16 characters. Visit [this page on random.org](https://www.random.org/passwords/?num=1&len=16&format=html&rnd=new) for inspiration.
2. In the code below, replace \[AUTO_IMPORT_SECRET\] with the same value. 
3. In the code below, replace \[STATIC_CRON_TOKEN\] with `STATIC_CRON_TOKEN` value from your `.env` file. 
4. Replace the `firefly_iii_cron`-container entry in your compose file with the resulting code:  

```
  cron_importer:
    image: alpine
    container_name: firefly_iii_cron
    restart: always
    command: sh -c "
      apk add tzdata
      && ln -s /usr/share/zoneinfo/${TZ} /etc/localtime
      && echo \"0 3 * * * wget -qO- http://app:8080/api/v1/cron/STATIC_CRON_TOKEN;echo\" > /tmp/crontab_tmp 
      && echo -e \"40 2 * * * wget -qO - --post-data '' --header 'Accept":" application/json' 'http://importer:8080/autoimport?directory=/import&secret=[AUTO_IMPORT_SECRET]'\" >> /tmp/crontab_tmp 
      && crontab /tmp/crontab_tmp
      && rm /tmp/crontab_tmp
      && crond -f -L /dev/stdout"
    networks:
      - firefly_iii

```

Portainer uses may also use the following lines. This will make Portainer do the replacement automatically. This will not work on other systems.

```
&& echo \"0 3 * * * wget -qO- http://app:8080/api/v1/cron/$STATIC_CRON_TOKEN;echo\" > /tmp/crontab_tmp 
&& echo -e \"40 2 * * * wget -qO - --post-data '' --header 'Accept":" application/json' 'http://importer:8080/autoimport?directory=/import&secret=$AUTO_IMPORT_SECRET'\" >> /tmp/crontab_tmp 
```