When to Consider FlexLab

Applies to: Codeless

Overview

Codeless and FlexLab both host Drupal, but they target different teams. This guide helps you decide when to start (or move to) FlexLab instead of staying on dashboard-only Codeless.

Key concepts

  • Codeless — editors and marketers work in Drupal admin and the FlexSite dashboard; no Git required.
  • FlexLab — developers own the codebase in GitLab; deploys flow through pipelines and merge requests.
  • Migration — moving an existing Codeless site to FlexLab is a planned project (content export/import), not a single button.

Signs you may need FlexLab

  • You need a custom Drupal module or PHP that cannot be installed from the dashboard.
  • Your agency requires merge request review before production deploys.
  • Developers want local copies of the database via flexsite db pull.
  • Theme Marketplace limits block your design system — your theme must live in Git with CI-built assets.

Steps — start fresh on FlexLab

  1. From Projects, click New Project.
  2. Choose Drupal 11 with the Flexlab label (not Codeless Drupal CMS).
  3. Pick Blank template and complete the wizard.
  4. Open Code, clone the repository, and onboard developers with FlexSite CLI Setup.

Moving from existing Codeless

There is no one-click Codeless → FlexLab conversion. Typical approach:

  1. Export content and configuration from Codeless (Backups + Drupal migration tools).
  2. Create a new FlexLab project and import into the Git-backed site.
  3. Reconnect Digital Assets and Domains on the new project.

Atom sites should Upgrade to Codeless first, then evaluate FlexLab separately.