# Lightning Bolt Solutions: contents and distribution

*Experience Cloud Consultant Study Guide · Templates and Themes · Last updated October 24, 2026 · https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/experience-cloud-consultant/templates-and-themes/lightning-bolt-solutions-contents-and-distribution*

When a Lightning Bolt Solution beats a bare template export: what a solution can contain (templates or pages, flow categories, custom apps), how to create it in Setup and package it for other orgs or AppExchange, and the sites it can't carry (LWR sites, whole Partner Central sites).

- Certification: Salesforce Experience Cloud Consultant
- Exam section: Templates and Themes
- Study guide: https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/experience-cloud-consultant

**Official exam objective:**

> Assess the use of lightning bolts in Experiences.

## What the exam expects

- Recommend a Lightning Bolt Solution when a site design, custom apps and automation must be built once and installed in many orgs or sold on AppExchange.
- Name what a solution can contain (customized templates or a single page, flow categories, custom apps) and what it can't (records, security settings, a standalone theme).
- Create a solution in Setup, add flows through a flow category of active flows, and package it for distribution.
- Spot the sites a solution can't carry: LWR sites and whole Partner Central sites.

Key terms: **Lightning Bolt Solution** (a portable package of templates or pages, flow categories and custom apps); **flow category** (a named group of active flows that a solution includes); **Solution Highlights** (the creation step where you pick the solution's contents); **managed package** (the recommended, upgradeable way to distribute a solution).

## Key facts

| Fact | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Contents | Customized templates or a single page, flow categories, custom apps | [Lightning Bolt for Salesforce](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?language=en_US&id=community_builder_export_overview.htm) |
| Template in a solution | Optional; apps or flows can ship alone | [Create a Lightning Bolt Solution](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=experience.community_builder_export_create.htm&language=en_US&type=5) |
| Where to create | Setup, Lightning Bolt Solutions; contents chosen on Solution Highlights | [Create a Lightning Bolt Solution](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=experience.community_builder_export_create.htm&language=en_US&type=5) |
| Flows | Only active flows, grouped in a flow category | [Add Flows to a Lightning Bolt Solution](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=experience.community_builder_export_flow_category.htm&language=en_US&type=5) |
| Standalone theme | Can't be included in a solution | [Export and Packaging Considerations](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=sf.community_builder_export_considerations.htm&language=en_US&type=5) |
| Packaging | Package Manager, component type Lightning Bolt Solution; managed package recommended | [Package and Distribute a Lightning Bolt Solution](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=experience.community_builder_export_package.htm&language=en_US&type=5) |
| LWR sites | No template export and no Lightning Bolt Solutions | [LWR Template Limitations](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/atlas.en-us.exp_cloud_lwr.meta/exp_cloud_lwr/template_limitations.htm) |
| Partner Central sites | Whole site can't be exported as a solution; individual pages can | [Experience Builder Site Limitations](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=sf.rss_limitations.htm&language=en_US&type=5) |

## Check yourself

- Why choose a Lightning Bolt Solution over a template export for a partner who reuses apps and automation?
- When can a flow be added to a flow category?
- Why can't a Build Your Own (LWR) site be wrapped as a solution?
- What can you export from a Partner Central site?

## Sources

- [Lightning Bolt for Salesforce: Build Once, Then Distribute and Reuse](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?language=en_US&id=community_builder_export_overview.htm)
- [Create a Lightning Bolt Solution](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=experience.community_builder_export_create.htm&language=en_US&type=5)
- [Add Flows to a Lightning Bolt Solution](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=experience.community_builder_export_flow_category.htm&language=en_US&type=5)
- [Export and Packaging Considerations for Lightning Bolt Solutions](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=sf.community_builder_export_considerations.htm&language=en_US&type=5)
- [Package and Distribute a Lightning Bolt Solution](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=experience.community_builder_export_package.htm&language=en_US&type=5)
- [LWR Template Limitations](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/atlas.en-us.exp_cloud_lwr.meta/exp_cloud_lwr/template_limitations.htm)
- [Experience Builder Site Limitations](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=sf.rss_limitations.htm&language=en_US&type=5)

## About the full unit

The "Core concepts", "Exam traps" and "Worked scenario" sections of this unit, its 5 linked practice questions, and unlimited timed mock exams are included with the Experience Cloud Consultant pack (USD $19): https://www.certifyforce.com/practice-exams