How to Revert Item Source from Database to Resources in Sitecore XM Cloud After Template Modification

In Sitecore XM Cloud, templates and items can be stored as resources, ensuring that they remain synchronized with deployments. However, modifying a template directly in the content editor changes its source from "resources" to "database." This presents challenges if you need to revert the source back to "resources," especially with multiple content items linked to the affected template.

Here’s how to revert the item source effectively:

Scenario

• Problem: A template source was accidentally changed from "resources" to "database."
• Goal: Revert the template source back to "resources" without disrupting existing content items or performing manual workarounds, like deleting and recreating templates.

Solution: Cleanup Command

Sitecore CLI provides a cleanup command to revert the item source back to resources. This method ensures synchronization during the next deployment.

1. Run Cleanup Command Use the following command in the Sitecore CLI:

   
   dotnet sitecore itemres cleanup --path "{{itempath}}" -f -r
   

   • --path: Specify the path of the item or template to clean up.
   • -f: Forces the cleanup without additional prompts.
   • -r: Recursively applies cleanup to all child items within the path.

   Example:

   
   dotnet sitecore itemres cleanup --path "/sitecore/templates/Sample Template" -f -r
   

2. What It Does

   • Removes database entries for items that exist in the Item-as-Resource (IAR) repository.
   • Reverts items to their original state in the resources folder.

3. Validation

   • After running the command, verify the source by enabling "Source View" from the View menu in the content editor.
   • The source should now show "resources" instead of "database."

Alternative Approach

If only a few items are affected:

• Delete the Database Entries:
  • Simply delete the affected items/templates in the content tree.
  • The system will revert to using the resources version of the item during the next deployment.

Considerations

1. Backup Content:
   Before running cleanup commands or deleting items, ensure content backups are in place to avoid data loss.

2. Use CLI for Bulk Operations:
   For larger trees, the CLI is the most efficient way to clean up multiple items.

3. Official Documentation:
   Refer to the official documentation for more details on the cleanup command:
   Sitecore CLI Itemres Cleanup

Conclusion

The dotnet sitecore itemres cleanup command is the ideal solution to revert an item source from "database" to "resources" in a multi-item scenario. For isolated cases, manual deletion of the database entry may suffice. These approaches ensure minimal disruption and alignment with the deployment pipeline.