🔧📤 Implemented XML Downloads/Export via API for Future Automation in Mermeid

[imranasif87]

I’ve added a new feature to Mermeid that allows downloading XML files using JavaScript. The implementation fetches data from a defined endpoint, enabling users to trigger downloads directly from the interface and all the files are included in the zip archive.

This endpoint is also designed with automation in mind — for example, it can be used in the future to automatically download data from Mermeid and push it to another repository via a scheduled cron job.

I've attached a demo video that shows how the feature works. Please have a look and feel free to share any feedback.

Screencast.from.2025-06-26.12-50-21.mp4

[peterstadler]

Hi @imranasif87 , that looks like a cool feature!
I'd love to see the backend implementation of the endpoints so please feel free to send in a PR.

For the GUI, I think the "Download" link should be more explicit about what is downloaded – I'm assuming it's simply downloading the whole MerMEId data collection? And it's not modified by the currently selected filters?

Maybe something like "Downlad all files" would be more appropriate? And/Or move some description into a tooltip?

[imranasif87]

Thanks @peterstadler, for your feedback, I’ve made the updates you mentioned in your comment and have created a pull request. Please take a look when you have a chance.

[imranasif87]

Hi @peterstadler, I've updated the solution based on your feedback—please review it when you get a chance.

Additionally, I have a suggestion for enhancing MerMEId: since users can now download all the files, we could consider supporting a re-upload mechanism. Currently, if a user updates the MerMEId version and re-runs or rebuilds the image without a cache, all previously stored files are lost.

To address this, we could allow users to upload a ZIP archive containing all the XML files after logging in. The front-end could then extract and back-end has methods like crud:create into the eXist-db. This functionality could also support automated uploads via local bash scripts in the future. Just an idea for discussion—happy to hear your thoughts on this.