> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.azalt.co/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Adopt Existing Entities

> Link existing source and target configuration without changing either side

Adoption connects configuration that already exists in both the source and target. It records matching links for future sync previews without changing configuration data.

## When to Use Adoption

Use adoption when:

* the target was imported before organization sync tracking was available
* corresponding entities were created manually in both environments
* a sync preview reports **Needs adoption** or an ambiguous match

Adoption is not needed for entities created by a current import or a tracked organization duplication, because those workflows record their links automatically.

## Match Classes

| Class                | Meaning                                                                                                              | Default action                                           |
| -------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Exact match**      | One source and one target have the same identity and identical comparable content.                                   | Pre-selected.                                            |
| **Probable match**   | One source and one target have the same identity, but their content differs. The panel shows how many fields differ. | Not selected; review and opt in.                         |
| **Ambiguous match**  | More than one candidate shares the same identity.                                                                    | Choose a target manually or leave the source unresolved. |
| **Unmatched source** | The source entity has no target candidate.                                                                           | Left unchanged; it can be handled as a create in sync.   |
| **Unmatched target** | The target entity has no source candidate.                                                                           | Left unchanged.                                          |

An ambiguous source can only be paired with a target from the same entity type and identity group. The same target cannot be selected for more than one source.

## Review and Apply Adoption

1. Load the source export file for the target organization and select **Preview sync**.
2. When adoption candidates are present, open **Adopt existing entities**.
3. Select **Review adoption matches**.
4. Keep the appropriate exact matches selected.
5. Review each probable match and select it only when the two entities represent the same configuration item.
6. For ambiguous groups, choose the correct target for each source or use **Leave unresolved**.
7. Select **Adopt selected**.

After adoption, the sync preview refreshes automatically.

## What Happens to Existing Differences

Adoption does not choose a winner or copy values. If you adopt a probable match whose source and target content differs, the next sync preview reports that difference as a **Conflict**. Resolve it there by taking the source or keeping the target.

This is intentional: because the two entities were created or changed before Azalt had a shared comparison point, the system cannot safely attribute the existing difference to only one side.