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Overview

Export the knowledge graph to standard formats for use in external tools, analysis platforms, or visualization software.

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Usage

sift export FORMAT [OPTIONS]

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Arguments

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format
string
required
Export format. Supported values:
  • json - JSON graph format
  • graphml - GraphML XML format (default)
  • gexf - GEXF XML format for Gephi
  • csv - CSV edge/node lists
  • sqlite - SQLite database

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Options

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--output
string
Output directory containing graph data. Use -o as shorthand.
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--to
string
Export file or directory path. Overrides default location.
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--verbose
boolean
default:"false"
Enable verbose logging. Use -v as shorthand.

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Supported Formats

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GraphML (Default)

XML-based graph format supported by:
  • Cytoscape
  • yEd
  • Neo4j
  • NetworkX
Default output: {output_dir}/graph.graphml

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GEXF

Graph Exchange XML Format for:
  • Gephi
  • Sigma.js
  • Graph visualization tools
Default output: {output_dir}/graph.gexf

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JSON

Structured JSON with full graph data:
  • Nodes with attributes
  • Edges with properties
  • Metadata
Default output: {output_dir}/graph.json

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CSV

Two CSV files:
  • entities.csv - Node list with attributes
  • relations.csv - Edge list with properties
Default output: {output_dir}/csv/

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SQLite

Relational database with tables:
  • entities - Entity nodes
  • relations - Edges
  • attributes - Entity attributes
Default output: {output_dir}/graph.sqlite

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Entity Descriptions

If entity_descriptions.json exists (from sift narrate), descriptions are included in exports: 
sift narrate
sift export graphml
Descriptions appear as node attributes in exported formats.

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Examples

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Export to GraphML

sift export graphml
Creates output/graph.graphml.

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Export to Gephi format

sift export gexf
Creates output/graph.gexf for Gephi visualization.

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Export to CSV

sift export csv
Creates output/csv/entities.csv and output/csv/relations.csv.

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Custom export path

sift export json --to ./exports/my-graph.json
Exports to specified file path.

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Export from custom output directory

sift export graphml --output ./project/results
Exports graph from custom output directory.

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Export to SQLite

sift export sqlite --to ./database/knowledge.sqlite
Creates SQLite database at specified path.

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Output Summary

Displays:
  • Export format
  • Entity count
  • Relation count
  • Output file location(s)

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Example Output

Exported! (GRAPHML)
  Entities: 1,234
  Relations: 3,456
  Output: output/graph.graphml
For CSV: 
Exported! (CSV)
  Entities: 1,234
  Relations: 3,456
  Output: output/csv/entities.csv, output/csv/relations.csv

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Common Workflows

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Export for Gephi

sift export gexf
# Open graph.gexf in Gephi

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Export for Python analysis

sift export json

import json
with open('output/graph.json') as f:
    graph = json.load(f)

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Export for Neo4j

sift export csv
# Import CSVs using Neo4j's LOAD CSV

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Export for R/igraph

sift export graphml

library(igraph)
g <- read_graph("output/graph.graphml", format="graphml")

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Error Handling

Exits with error if:
  • No graph_data.json found (run sift build first)
  • Unsupported format specified
  • Invalid export path

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Format Validation

sift export xyz
# Error: Unsupported format: xyz
# Supported: json, graphml, gexf, csv, sqlite

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Common Mistake Prevention

If user types sift export --to json (meaning format): 
# Incorrectly interpreted as:
sift export graphml --to json

# System corrects to:
sift export json
The CLI detects this pattern and auto-corrects.

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See Also

  • view - Interactive visualization
  • narrate - Generate descriptions for export
  • build - Build graph for export

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