Step 2: Data

Copy the members and the content rules into FMS. The site keeps running normally throughout.

Export the members

Press Export. It works through the site in batches of a thousand with a progress bar, then offers Download JSON.

Two tick boxes decide who is included. Free Community members are usually wanted. Members already billed through Stripe are usually excluded, because the Stripe importer picks them up with their live billing intact.

Do not open the file to check it

It is large and it contains every member's email address. Download it, import it, delete it.

Import into FMS

In the admin portal go to Members. The bulk import card is above the list.

1. Choose the file.
2. Press Preview. Nothing is written. You get counts of what would be created.
3. If the counts look right, press Import.

The import is safe to repeat. Running it twice does not create anyone twice, and it never touches Stripe or Mailchimp.

Sync the content restrictions

Back in the assistant, press Sync. It copies the old plugin's per-post rules so FMS gates exactly the same articles. Tick the box to remove stale rules that no longer match anything.

Verify before going on

• Member count in FMS is close to the site's active membership count
• Spot-check five members: right plan, right status
• Restrictions sync reports a sensible number of posts
• Consolidation finds nothing alarming

Next: step 3, Cutover.