README.md

@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ on macOS and Linux.
 - Creates a timestamped Pre-edit Backup before Privileged Mode begins.
 - Restores the current session's Pre-edit Backup after explicit confirmation.
 - Supports undo and redo during the current Privileged Mode session.
+- Exports Host Entries as hosts, JSON, or CSV files, and imports those formats in Privileged Mode.
 
 The application starts in Read-only Mode. Default Entries cannot be edited,
 deleted, activated, deactivated, or moved.
@@ -76,6 +77,8 @@ including persistence behavior and manual recovery.
 | `Space` | Activate or deactivate the selected Host Entry |
 | `Ctrl+S` | Save the current in-memory state |
 | `Ctrl+F` | Open advanced filters |
+| `Ctrl+X` | Export Host Entries (hosts, JSON, or CSV) |
+| `Ctrl+O` | Import Host Entries from hosts, JSON, or CSV (Privileged Mode) |
 | `?` | Show help |
 | `q` or `Ctrl+C` | Quit |
 

docs/user-guide.md

@@ -102,6 +102,17 @@ Both actions require Privileged Mode because a successful result changes
 `/etc/hosts`. A failed lookup reports the failure and keeps the previously
 stored mapping.
 
+## Import and export Host Entries
+
+Press `Ctrl+X` to export the current in-memory Host Entries. Choose hosts, JSON, or
+CSV and enter a destination path. The workflow validates the destination and
+requires explicit confirmation before an existing file is overwritten.
+
+Press `Ctrl+O` in Privileged Mode to import a hosts, JSON, or CSV file. Choose the
+format explicitly, then select the source path. A successful import replaces
+the current Host Entries and saves the Hosts File; parse and save errors remain
+visible in the message rail and leave the current file unchanged.
+
 ## Verify what is on disk
 
 The details shown by the application normally match the last successful save.
@@ -247,6 +258,7 @@ continually retrying it.
 | `Ctrl+R` | Reload `/etc/hosts` |
 | `Ctrl+F` | Open advanced filters |
 | `c` | Open configuration |
+| `Ctrl+X` | Export Host Entries |
 | `?` | Show help |
 | `q` or `Ctrl+C` | Quit |
 | `Ctrl+E` | Enter or leave Privileged Mode |
@@ -266,6 +278,7 @@ continually retrying it.
 | `Ctrl+Z` / `Ctrl+Y` | Undo or redo and save the result |
 | `Ctrl+S` | Save the current in-memory state |
 | `b` | Review session backup changes and confirm restoration |
+| `Ctrl+O` | Import Host Entries from hosts, JSON, or CSV |
 
 Within the Entry Editor, use `Tab` and `Shift+Tab` to move between fields and
 `Escape` to leave the form. If values changed, the application asks whether to

src/hosts/tui/app.py

@@ -29,12 +29,14 @@ from ..core.manager import HostsManager, MutationState
 from ..core.restore_preview import RestorePreviewError, create_restore_preview
 from ..core.dns import DNSService
 from ..core.filters import EntryFilter, FilterOptions
+from ..core.import_export import ImportExportService, ExportFormat, ImportFormat
 from .config_modal import ConfigModal
 from .add_entry_modal import AddEntryModal
 from .backup_restore_modal import BackupRestoreModal
 from .delete_confirmation_modal import DeleteConfirmationModal
 from .filter_modal import FilterModal
 from .help_modal import HelpModal
+from .import_export_modal import ExportModal, ImportModal, ExportRequest, ImportRequest
 from .custom_footer import CustomFooter
 from .styles import HOSTS_DARK_THEME, HOSTS_MANAGER_CSS
 from .keybindings import HOSTS_MANAGER_BINDINGS
@@ -85,6 +87,7 @@ class HostsManagerApp(App):
         self.parser = HostsParser()
         self.config = Config()
         self.manager = HostsManager()
+        self.import_export_service = ImportExportService()
 
         # Initialize DNS service
         dns_config = self.config.get("dns_resolution", {})
@@ -904,6 +907,75 @@ class HostsManagerApp(App):
             return
         self.navigation_handler.save_hosts_file()
 
+    def action_export_entries(self) -> None:
+        """Export the in-memory Host Entries without requiring Privileged Mode."""
+
+        def handle_export(request: ExportRequest | None) -> None:
+            if request is None:
+                return
+            exporters = {
+                ExportFormat.HOSTS: self.import_export_service.export_hosts_format,
+                ExportFormat.JSON: self.import_export_service.export_json_format,
+                ExportFormat.CSV: self.import_export_service.export_csv_format,
+            }
+            result = exporters[request.format](self.hosts_file, request.path)
+            if result.success:
+                self.update_status(
+                    f"✓ Exported {result.entries_exported} Host Entries to {result.file_path}"
+                )
+            else:
+                self.update_status(
+                    f"Error exporting Host Entries: {'; '.join(result.errors)}"
+                )
+
+        self.push_screen(
+            ExportModal(
+                self.import_export_service.get_supported_export_formats(),
+                self.import_export_service.validate_export_path,
+            ),
+            handle_export,
+        )
+
+    def action_import_entries(self) -> None:
+        """Import and persist replacement Host Entries in Privileged Mode."""
+        if not self._allow_mutation_action():
+            return
+        if not self.edit_mode:
+            self.update_status(
+                "Cannot import Host Entries in Read-only Mode. Enter Privileged Mode first."
+            )
+            return
+
+        importers = {
+            ImportFormat.HOSTS: self.import_export_service.import_hosts_format,
+            ImportFormat.JSON: self.import_export_service.import_json_format,
+            ImportFormat.CSV: self.import_export_service.import_csv_format,
+        }
+
+        def import_file(format: ImportFormat, path):
+            return importers[format](path)
+
+        def handle_import(request: ImportRequest | None) -> None:
+            if request is None:
+                return
+            result = request.result
+            snapshot = self.capture_mutation_state()
+            self.hosts_file = HostsFile(entries=result.entries)
+            self.selected_entry_index = 0
+            if self.save_mutation(snapshot, "Import"):
+                self.table_handler.populate_entries_table()
+                self.details_handler.update_entry_details()
+                self.update_status(
+                    f"✓ Imported and saved {result.successfully_imported} Host Entries from {request.path}"
+                )
+
+        self.push_screen(
+            ImportModal(
+                self.import_export_service.get_supported_import_formats(), import_file
+            ),
+            handle_import,
+        )
+
     def action_add_entry(self) -> None:
         """Show the add entry modal."""
         if not self._allow_add_entry_action():

src/hosts/tui/help_modal.py

@@ -48,6 +48,10 @@ class HelpModal(ModalScreen[None]):
                 "Type in Search for immediate filtering    Ctrl+F Advanced filters",
                 classes="help-copy",
             )
+            yield Static(
+                "Ctrl+X Export Host Entries    Ctrl+O Import Host Entries",
+                classes="help-copy",
+            )
             yield Static("Privileged Mode", classes="help-section")
             yield Static(
                 "Ctrl+E Enter or leave Privileged Mode    n Add Host Entry\n"

src/hosts/tui/import_export_modal.py

@@ -0,0 +1,188 @@
+"""Keyboard-first import and export forms for Host Entries."""
+
+from dataclasses import dataclass
+from pathlib import Path
+
+from textual.app import ComposeResult
+from textual.binding import Binding
+from textual.containers import Horizontal, Vertical
+from textual.screen import ModalScreen
+from textual.widgets import Button, Input, Label, RadioButton, RadioSet, Static
+
+from ..core.import_export import ExportFormat, ImportFormat, ImportResult
+
+
+@dataclass(frozen=True)
+class ExportRequest:
+    """A validated request to export the displayed Hosts File."""
+
+    path: Path
+    format: ExportFormat
+
+
+@dataclass(frozen=True)
+class ImportRequest:
+    """A validated request to replace the Hosts File from an import."""
+
+    path: Path
+    format: ImportFormat
+    result: ImportResult
+
+
+class _FormatModal(ModalScreen):
+    """Shared form mechanics for selecting a file and supported format."""
+
+    BINDINGS = [Binding("escape", "cancel", "Cancel")]
+    CSS = """
+    _FormatModal { align: center middle; }
+    #format-container {
+        width: 72; height: auto; max-height: 90%; background: $surface;
+        border: thick $primary; padding: 1 2;
+    }
+    .format-title { text-align: center; text-style: bold; color: $primary; }
+    .format-copy { margin-top: 1; color: $text-muted; }
+    #path-input { margin-top: 1; }
+    #workflow-error { color: $error; height: auto; margin-top: 1; }
+    #workflow-warning { color: $warning; height: auto; margin-top: 1; }
+    .button-row { margin-top: 1; height: 3; align: center middle; }
+    """
+
+    def _selected_format(self, enum_type):
+        for member in enum_type:
+            if self.query_one(f"#format-{member.value}", RadioButton).value:
+                return member
+        return next(iter(enum_type))
+
+    def _path_or_error(self) -> Path | None:
+        value = self.query_one("#path-input", Input).value.strip()
+        if value:
+            self.query_one("#workflow-error", Static).update("")
+            return Path(value).expanduser()
+        self.query_one("#workflow-error", Static).update("Choose a file path first.")
+        return None
+
+    def action_cancel(self) -> None:
+        self.dismiss(None)
+
+
+class ExportModal(_FormatModal):
+    """Collect an export destination and require confirmation for overwrite."""
+
+    def __init__(self, formats: list[ExportFormat], validate_path):
+        super().__init__()
+        self._formats = formats
+        self._validate_path = validate_path
+        self._request: ExportRequest | None = None
+
+    def compose(self) -> ComposeResult:
+        with Vertical(id="format-container"):
+            yield Static("Export Host Entries", classes="format-title")
+            yield Static(
+                "Choose a destination and format. Existing files require confirmation.",
+                classes="format-copy",
+            )
+            yield Label("Export file path")
+            yield Input(placeholder="/path/to/entries.hosts", id="path-input")
+            with RadioSet(id="format-select"):
+                for index, format in enumerate(self._formats):
+                    yield RadioButton(
+                        _format_label(format),
+                        id=f"format-{format.value}",
+                        value=index == 0,
+                    )
+            yield Static("", id="workflow-error")
+            yield Static("", id="workflow-warning")
+            with Horizontal(classes="button-row"):
+                yield Button("Cancel", id="cancel-button")
+                yield Button("Continue", id="continue-button", variant="primary")
+                yield Button("Overwrite export", id="confirm-button", variant="error")
+
+    def on_mount(self) -> None:
+        self.query_one("#path-input", Input).focus()
+        self.query_one("#confirm-button", Button).display = False
+
+    def on_button_pressed(self, event: Button.Pressed) -> None:
+        if event.button.id == "cancel-button":
+            self.action_cancel()
+        elif event.button.id == "continue-button":
+            self.action_continue()
+        elif event.button.id == "confirm-button" and self._request is not None:
+            self.dismiss(self._request)
+
+    def action_continue(self) -> None:
+        path = self._path_or_error()
+        if path is None:
+            return
+        request = ExportRequest(path, self._selected_format(ExportFormat))
+        warnings = self._validate_path(path, request.format)
+        self._request = request
+        warning = self.query_one("#workflow-warning", Static)
+        warning.update("\n".join(warnings))
+        blocking_warnings = [item for item in warnings if "already exists" not in item]
+        if blocking_warnings:
+            self.query_one("#workflow-error", Static).update(
+                "Correct the destination before exporting: "
+                + "; ".join(blocking_warnings)
+            )
+            return
+        if warnings:
+            self.query_one("#confirm-button", Button).display = True
+            return
+        self.dismiss(request)
+
+
+class ImportModal(_FormatModal):
+    """Collect an import file and format before replacing Host Entries."""
+
+    def __init__(self, formats: list[ImportFormat], import_file):
+        super().__init__()
+        self._formats = formats
+        self._import_file = import_file
+
+    def compose(self) -> ComposeResult:
+        with Vertical(id="format-container"):
+            yield Static("Import Host Entries", classes="format-title")
+            yield Static(
+                "Import replaces the current Host Entries and saves the Hosts File.",
+                classes="format-copy",
+            )
+            yield Label("Import file path")
+            yield Input(placeholder="/path/to/entries.hosts", id="path-input")
+            with RadioSet(id="format-select"):
+                for index, format in enumerate(self._formats):
+                    yield RadioButton(
+                        _format_label(format),
+                        id=f"format-{format.value}",
+                        value=index == 0,
+                    )
+            yield Static("", id="workflow-error")
+            with Horizontal(classes="button-row"):
+                yield Button("Cancel", id="cancel-button")
+                yield Button("Import and save", id="import-button", variant="primary")
+
+    def on_mount(self) -> None:
+        self.query_one("#path-input", Input).focus()
+
+    def on_button_pressed(self, event: Button.Pressed) -> None:
+        if event.button.id == "cancel-button":
+            self.action_cancel()
+        elif event.button.id == "import-button":
+            path = self._path_or_error()
+            if path is not None:
+                format = self._selected_format(ImportFormat)
+                result = self._import_file(format, path)
+                if not result.success:
+                    self.query_one("#workflow-error", Static).update(
+                        "; ".join(result.errors)
+                    )
+                    return
+                self.dismiss(ImportRequest(path, format, result))
+
+
+def _format_label(format: ExportFormat | ImportFormat) -> str:
+    """Give the core-supported formats concise, file-oriented labels."""
+    return {
+        "hosts": "Hosts file (.hosts)",
+        "json": "JSON (.json)",
+        "csv": "CSV (.csv)",
+    }[format.value]

src/hosts/tui/keybindings.py

@@ -34,6 +34,12 @@ HOSTS_MANAGER_BINDINGS = [
         id="left:toggle_edit_mode",
     ),
     Binding("c", "config", "Configuration", show=True, id="right:config"),
+    Binding(
+        "ctrl+x", "export_entries", "Export Host Entries", show=False, priority=True
+    ),
+    Binding(
+        "ctrl+o", "import_entries", "Import Host Entries", show=False, priority=True
+    ),
     Binding(
         "ctrl+f",
         "show_filters",

tests/test_import_export_workflow.py

@@ -0,0 +1,165 @@
+"""User-visible import and export workflows."""
+
+from unittest.mock import Mock
+
+import pytest
+from textual.widgets import Input, RadioButton, Static
+
+from hosts.core.import_export import (
+    ExportFormat,
+    ExportResult,
+    ImportFormat,
+    ImportResult,
+)
+from hosts.core.models import HostEntry, HostsFile
+from hosts.tui.app import HostsManagerApp
+from hosts.tui.import_export_modal import ExportModal, ImportModal
+
+
+@pytest.mark.asyncio
+async def test_export_shortcut_opens_a_format_chooser_and_reports_validation():
+    """Export presents every core format and keeps invalid input visible."""
+    app = HostsManagerApp()
+    app.hosts_file = HostsFile(
+        entries=[HostEntry(ip_address="192.0.2.10", hostnames=["export.test"])]
+    )
+    app.load_hosts_file = Mock()
+
+    async with app.run_test(size=(120, 40)) as pilot:
+        await pilot.press("ctrl+x")
+        await pilot.pause()
+        assert isinstance(app.screen, ExportModal)
+        assert [button.label.plain for button in app.screen.query(RadioButton)] == [
+            "Hosts file (.hosts)",
+            "JSON (.json)",
+            "CSV (.csv)",
+        ]
+
+        app.screen.query_one("#path-input", Input).value = ""
+        await pilot.click("#continue-button")
+        assert "Choose a file path" in str(
+            app.screen.query_one("#workflow-error", Static).render()
+        )
+
+
+@pytest.mark.asyncio
+async def test_export_requires_overwrite_confirmation_before_calling_service(tmp_path):
+    """An existing output file is not replaced until the user confirms it."""
+    target = tmp_path / "hosts.json"
+    target.write_text("existing", encoding="utf-8")
+    app = HostsManagerApp()
+    app.hosts_file = HostsFile(
+        entries=[HostEntry(ip_address="192.0.2.10", hostnames=["export.test"])]
+    )
+    app.import_export_service = Mock()
+    app.import_export_service.get_supported_export_formats.return_value = list(
+        ExportFormat
+    )
+    app.import_export_service.validate_export_path.return_value = [
+        f"File {target} already exists and will be overwritten"
+    ]
+    app.import_export_service.export_json_format.return_value = ExportResult(
+        success=True,
+        file_path=target,
+        entries_exported=1,
+        errors=[],
+        format=ExportFormat.JSON,
+    )
+
+    async with app.run_test(size=(120, 40)) as pilot:
+        app.action_export_entries()
+        await pilot.pause()
+        app.screen.query_one("#path-input", Input).value = str(target)
+        app.screen.query_one("#format-json", RadioButton).value = True
+        await pilot.click("#continue-button")
+        assert "already exists" in str(
+            app.screen.query_one("#workflow-warning", Static).render()
+        )
+        app.import_export_service.export_json_format.assert_not_called()
+
+        await pilot.click("#confirm-button")
+        await pilot.pause()
+        await pilot.pause()
+
+    app.import_export_service.export_json_format.assert_called_once_with(
+        app.hosts_file, target
+    )
+
+
+@pytest.mark.asyncio
+async def test_import_shortcut_requires_privileged_mode_and_surfaces_service_errors():
+    """Import cannot mutate in Read-only Mode and reports parser failures."""
+    app = HostsManagerApp()
+    app.hosts_file = HostsFile(
+        entries=[HostEntry(ip_address="192.0.2.10", hostnames=["original.test"])]
+    )
+    app.load_hosts_file = Mock()
+
+    async with app.run_test(size=(120, 40)) as pilot:
+        await pilot.press("ctrl+o")
+        await pilot.pause()
+        assert not isinstance(app.screen, ImportModal)
+        assert "Read-only Mode" in str(app.query_one("#message-rail", Static).render())
+
+        app.edit_mode = True
+        app.manager.edit_mode = True
+        app.import_export_service = Mock()
+        app.import_export_service.get_supported_import_formats.return_value = list(
+            ImportFormat
+        )
+        app.import_export_service.import_csv_format.return_value = Mock(
+            success=False, errors=["CSV column 'ip_address' is missing"]
+        )
+        app.action_import_entries()
+        await pilot.pause()
+        assert isinstance(app.screen, ImportModal)
+        app.screen.query_one("#path-input", Input).value = "/tmp/broken.csv"
+        csv_button = app.screen.query_one("#format-csv", RadioButton)
+        csv_button.value = True
+        await pilot.click("#import-button")
+        await pilot.pause()
+        assert "CSV column 'ip_address' is missing" in str(
+            app.screen.query_one("#workflow-error", Static).render()
+        )
+
+
+@pytest.mark.asyncio
+async def test_successful_import_replaces_entries_and_saves_through_the_manager():
+    """A valid import reaches the persistence seam without a real Hosts File."""
+    app = HostsManagerApp()
+    app.hosts_file = HostsFile(
+        entries=[HostEntry(ip_address="192.0.2.10", hostnames=["original.test"])]
+    )
+    app.edit_mode = True
+    app.manager.edit_mode = True
+    app.save_mutation = Mock(return_value=True)
+    app.import_export_service = Mock()
+    app.import_export_service.get_supported_import_formats.return_value = list(
+        ImportFormat
+    )
+    imported = HostEntry(ip_address="198.51.100.3", hostnames=["imported.test"])
+    app.import_export_service.import_json_format.return_value = ImportResult(
+        success=True,
+        entries=[imported],
+        errors=[],
+        warnings=[],
+        total_processed=1,
+        successfully_imported=1,
+    )
+
+    async with app.run_test(size=(120, 40)) as pilot:
+        app.action_import_entries()
+        await pilot.pause()
+        app.screen.query_one("#path-input", Input).value = "/tmp/entries.json"
+        app.screen.query_one("#format-json", RadioButton).value = True
+        await pilot.click("#import-button")
+        await pilot.pause()
+        await pilot.pause()
+
+        assert [entry.hostnames for entry in app.hosts_file.entries] == [
+            ["imported.test"]
+        ]
+        app.save_mutation.assert_called_once()
+        assert "Imported and saved 1 Host Entries" in str(
+            app.query_one("#message-rail", Static).render()
+        )