How can I create a backup copy of my website to work on?
I want to make a bunch of major changes to the masthead height, adjust all the page sizes and then I’ll upload it to replace my present website.
I’m just a bit mystified if I just need to make a copy of the .sparkle file or also all the other files, too.
Hi @maxim…
When working in Sitely (ex Sparkle) you are interacting with a Sitely document… similar to Apple Pages. Once you save the Sitely file your whole website is contained in that file. When you go ahead and Publish your Sitely file to the web, Sitely does all the heavy lifting and converts the Sitely file into a working html/CSS/javascript with a hint of PHP website.
So if you want to work on a backup of your Sitely document you just need to make a copy of it and put the original away for save keeping.
Hello @maxim 
As @FlaminFig mentioned, a simple copy of the .sparkle (or .sitely) file is sufficient, as this file allows you to re-export all the website files if needed. I would just like to add that there is a handy feature for restoring previous versions of your project. To use it, simply click on “File” and then “Revert to…”.
Duplicating your project is still an excellent practice that I highly recommend, especially when making major changes, but I just wanted to highlight this feature, which isn’t very well-known and has been incredibly helpful to me in the past! 
Thank you both!
Correct me if I am wrong, but this means I don’t need to have all my support files (original images, pdf files for download, etc) available once I have the .sparkle (maybe .sitley now?) to work from?
No wonder the .sparkle file is humongous, 300+MB!!!
Maxim
Hi @maxim, All correct above and good advice. By default, Sitely incorporates your files inside itself so you can carry around the file to other computers etc. You do have the option to exclude some larger files like video but watch your links always remain the same. Duplicating the main sorely file is useful. You can also option save which gives you ‘save as’ so you can make a copy at any time. Hope that helps.
Thanks! Especially for the option-save tip!!!