diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..877df7e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+.git
+.sample
+.tests
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/Merge-ConfigurationData.ps1 b/Merge-ConfigurationData.ps1
deleted file mode 100644
index 79fddec..0000000
--- a/Merge-ConfigurationData.ps1
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,70 +0,0 @@
-function Merge-ConfigurationData {
-    [CmdletBinding()]
-    Param(
-        [Parameter(Mandatory=$true)]
-        [System.Collections.Hashtable]
-        $Template,
-        [Parameter(Mandatory=$true)]
-        [System.Collections.Hashtable]
-        $Deployment,
-        [Parameter(Mandatory=$false)]        
-        [System.Collections.Hashtable]
-        $Output
-    )
-   
-    if($Output -eq $null){
-        $Output = $Deployment
-    }
-
-    foreach($Property in $Template.GetEnumerator()){
-        if($Property.Value -is [System.Collections.Hashtable]){
-            Write-Verbose "Key [$($Property.Name)] is a Hashtable"
-            if($null -ne $Deployment.$($Property.Name)){
-                Write-Verbose "Key [$($Property.Name)] is present in Deployment Data"
-                $Output.($Property.Name) = Merge-ConfigurationData -Template $Template.$($Property.Name) -Deployment $Deployment.$($Property.Name) -Output $Output.$($Property.Name)
-            }else{
-                Write-Verbose "Key [$($Property.Name)] is not present in Deployment Data"
-                $Output.Add($($Property.Name),$Template.$($Property.Name))
-            }
-        }elseif($Property.Value -is [System.Collections.Specialized.OrderedDictionary]){
-            Write-Verbose "Key [$($Property.Name)] is a Ordered Dictionary"
-            if($null -ne $Deployment.$($Property.Name)){
-                Write-Verbose "Key [$($Property.Name)] is present in Deployment Data"
-                $Output.($Property.Name) = Merge-ConfigurationData -Template $Template.$($Property.Name) -Deployment $Deployment.$($Property.Name) -Output $Output.$($Property.Name)
-            }else{
-                Write-Verbose "Key [$($Property.Name)] is not present in Deployment Data"
-                $Output.Add($($Property.Name),$Template.$($Property.Name))
-            }
-        }elseif($Property.Value -is [System.Array]){
-            Write-Verbose "$($Property.Name) is ein Array"
-            Write-Verbose "Total Items in Template Array [$($Property.Value.Count)]"
-            Write-Verbose "Total Items in Deployment Array [$($Deployment.$($Property.Name).Count)]"
-            if($null -ne $Deployment.$($Property.Name)){
-                Write-Verbose "Array is defined in Deployment"
-                for($i=0;$i -lt $Property.Value.Count; $i++){ 
-                    
-                    $SearchItem = $($Property.Value[$i].GetEnumerator() | Where-Object {($_.Value -is [String]) -and ($_.Name -like "*Name")})[0]
-                    if($($Deployment.$($Property.Name) | ? { $_.($SearchItem.Name) -eq $SearchItem.Value })){
-                        Merge-ConfigurationData -Template $Property.Value[$i] -Deployment $($Deployment.$($Property.Name) | ? { $_.($SearchItem.Name) -eq $SearchItem.Value }) -Output $($Output.$($Property.Name) | ? { $_.($SearchItem.Name) -eq $SearchItem.Value }) | Out-Null
-                    }else{
-                        Write-Verbose "Pair $($Key.Name) - $($Key.Value) not present"
-                        $Output.$($Property.Name) += $Property.Value[$i]
-                    }
-                }
-            }else{
-                Write-Verbose "Array is not defined in Deployment"
-                $Output.$($Property.Name) = $Template.$($Property.Name)
-            }
-        }else{
-            Write-Verbose "$($Property.Name) is a String or Integer Value"
-            if($null -eq $Deployment.$($Property.Name)){
-
-                $Output.Add($Property.Name,$Template.($Property.Name))
-
-            }elseif($Deployment.$($Property.Name) -ne $Property.Value){
-
-            }
-        }
-    }
-    return $Output
-}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/Merge-DSCConfigurationData.psd1 b/Merge-DSCConfigurationData.psd1
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8e84beb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/Merge-DSCConfigurationData.psd1
@@ -0,0 +1,26 @@
+@{
+    RootModule = "Merge-DSCConfigurationData.psm1"
+    ModuleVersion = "1.0.1"
+    GUID = "c1c7e70d-9049-4eaa-a3c9-44a424c35ef5"
+    Author = "Torsten Brendgen"
+    Copyright = "(c) Torsten Brendgen. All rights reserved."
+    Description = "Merges DSC configuration data from templates and deployment data."
+    PowerShellVersion = "5.1"
+    FunctionsToExport = @(
+        "Merge-DSCConfigurationData",
+        "Export-PowerShellDataFile",
+        "New-DSCConfigurationDataDeployment"
+    )
+    CmdletsToExport = @()
+    VariablesToExport = @()
+    AliasesToExport = @()
+    PrivateData = @{
+        PSData = @{
+            Tags = @(
+                "DSC",
+                "ConfigurationData"
+            )
+            ReleaseNotes = "Initial module layout."
+        }
+    }
+}
diff --git a/Merge-DSCConfigurationData.psm1 b/Merge-DSCConfigurationData.psm1
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..45a98a4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/Merge-DSCConfigurationData.psm1
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+$PrivatePath = Join-Path -Path $PSScriptRoot -ChildPath "Private"
+$PublicPath = Join-Path -Path $PSScriptRoot -ChildPath "Public"
+
+$Private = @(Get-ChildItem -Path $PrivatePath -Filter "*.ps1" -File -ErrorAction Stop | Sort-Object -Property FullName)
+$Public = @(Get-ChildItem -Path $PublicPath -Filter "*.ps1" -File -ErrorAction Stop | Sort-Object -Property FullName)
+
+foreach($File in @($Private + $Public)){
+    . $File.FullName
+}
+
+Export-ModuleMember -Function @(
+    "Merge-DSCConfigurationData",
+    "Export-PowerShellDataFile",
+    "New-DSCConfigurationDataDeployment"
+)
diff --git a/Private/ConvertTo-ConfigurationDataRelativePath.ps1 b/Private/ConvertTo-ConfigurationDataRelativePath.ps1
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c99fac4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/Private/ConvertTo-ConfigurationDataRelativePath.ps1
@@ -0,0 +1,29 @@
+function ConvertTo-ConfigurationDataRelativePath {
+    [CmdletBinding()]
+    Param(
+        [Parameter(Mandatory=$true)]
+        [string]
+        $Path,
+
+        [Parameter(Mandatory=$true)]
+        [string]
+        $BasePath
+    )
+
+    $ResolvedPath = Repair-ConfigurationDataPathEncoding -Path $Path
+    $ResolvedBasePath = Repair-ConfigurationDataPathEncoding -Path $BasePath
+
+    try {
+        $PathUri = [System.Uri]::new((Resolve-Path -LiteralPath $ResolvedPath).ProviderPath)
+        $BaseUriPath = [System.IO.Path]::GetFullPath($ResolvedBasePath)
+        if(-not $BaseUriPath.EndsWith([System.IO.Path]::DirectorySeparatorChar)){
+            $BaseUriPath += [System.IO.Path]::DirectorySeparatorChar
+        }
+
+        $BaseUri = [System.Uri]::new($BaseUriPath)
+        return [System.Uri]::UnescapeDataString($BaseUri.MakeRelativeUri($PathUri).ToString()).Replace('/', [System.IO.Path]::DirectorySeparatorChar)
+    }
+    catch {
+        return $ResolvedPath
+    }
+}
diff --git a/Private/ConvertTo-PowerShellDataFileText.ps1 b/Private/ConvertTo-PowerShellDataFileText.ps1
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c2fd90b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/Private/ConvertTo-PowerShellDataFileText.ps1
@@ -0,0 +1,64 @@
+function ConvertTo-PowerShellDataFileText {
+    [CmdletBinding()]
+    Param(
+        [Parameter(Mandatory=$true)]
+        [AllowNull()]
+        $InputObject,
+
+        [Parameter(Mandatory=$false)]
+        [int]
+        $Indent = 0
+    )
+
+    $IndentText = " " * $Indent
+    $ChildIndent = $Indent + 4
+    $ChildIndentText = " " * $ChildIndent
+
+    if($null -eq $InputObject){
+        return '$null'
+    }
+
+    if($InputObject -is [bool]){
+        if($InputObject){
+            return '$true'
+        }
+
+        return '$false'
+    }
+
+    if($InputObject -is [int] -or $InputObject -is [long] -or $InputObject -is [decimal] -or $InputObject -is [double]){
+        return ([string]$InputObject)
+    }
+
+    if($InputObject -is [string]){
+        return "'$($InputObject.Replace("'", "''"))'"
+    }
+
+    if($InputObject -is [System.Collections.IDictionary]){
+        $Lines = @("@{")
+        foreach($Key in $InputObject.Keys){
+            $KeyText = "'$(([string]$Key).Replace("'", "''"))'"
+            $ValueText = ConvertTo-PowerShellDataFileText -InputObject $InputObject[$Key] -Indent $ChildIndent
+            $Lines += "$ChildIndentText$KeyText = $ValueText"
+        }
+        $Lines += "$IndentText}"
+        return ($Lines -join [Environment]::NewLine)
+    }
+
+    if($InputObject -is [System.Collections.IEnumerable] -and $InputObject -isnot [string]){
+        $Items = @($InputObject)
+        if($Items.Count -eq 0){
+            return '@()'
+        }
+
+        $Lines = @("@(")
+        foreach($Item in $Items){
+            $ValueText = ConvertTo-PowerShellDataFileText -InputObject $Item -Indent $ChildIndent
+            $Lines += "$ChildIndentText$ValueText"
+        }
+        $Lines += "$IndentText)"
+        return ($Lines -join [Environment]::NewLine)
+    }
+
+    return "'$(([string]$InputObject).Replace("'", "''"))'"
+}
diff --git a/Private/Copy-ConfigurationDataValue.ps1 b/Private/Copy-ConfigurationDataValue.ps1
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..30bcefd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/Private/Copy-ConfigurationDataValue.ps1
@@ -0,0 +1,37 @@
+function Copy-ConfigurationDataValue {
+    [CmdletBinding()]
+    Param(
+        [AllowNull()]
+        $Value
+    )
+
+    if($null -eq $Value){
+        return $null
+    }
+
+    if($Value -is [System.Collections.Specialized.OrderedDictionary]){
+        $Copy = [ordered]@{}
+        foreach($Entry in $Value.GetEnumerator()){
+            $Copy[$Entry.Name] = Copy-ConfigurationDataValue -Value $Entry.Value
+        }
+        return $Copy
+    }
+
+    if($Value -is [System.Collections.Hashtable]){
+        $Copy = @{}
+        foreach($Entry in $Value.GetEnumerator()){
+            $Copy[$Entry.Name] = Copy-ConfigurationDataValue -Value $Entry.Value
+        }
+        return $Copy
+    }
+
+    if($Value -is [System.Array]){
+        $Copy = @()
+        foreach($Item in $Value){
+            $Copy += ,(Copy-ConfigurationDataValue -Value $Item)
+        }
+        return ,$Copy
+    }
+
+    return $Value
+}
diff --git a/Private/Format-ConfigurationDataMergeKey.ps1 b/Private/Format-ConfigurationDataMergeKey.ps1
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1715810
--- /dev/null
+++ b/Private/Format-ConfigurationDataMergeKey.ps1
@@ -0,0 +1,16 @@
+function Format-ConfigurationDataMergeKey {
+    [CmdletBinding()]
+    Param(
+        [AllowNull()]
+        $Item,
+        [Parameter(Mandatory=$true)]
+        [String[]]
+        $KeyNames
+    )
+
+    $Pairs = foreach($KeyName in $KeyNames){
+        "$KeyName=$(Get-ConfigurationDataItemValue -Item $Item -KeyName $KeyName)"
+    }
+
+    return ($Pairs -join ", ")
+}
diff --git a/Private/Get-ConfigurationDataArrayMergeKeyNames.ps1 b/Private/Get-ConfigurationDataArrayMergeKeyNames.ps1
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8c512eb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/Private/Get-ConfigurationDataArrayMergeKeyNames.ps1
@@ -0,0 +1,30 @@
+function Get-ConfigurationDataArrayMergeKeyNames {
+    [CmdletBinding()]
+    Param(
+        [Parameter(Mandatory=$true)]
+        [String]
+        $ArrayName,
+        [AllowNull()]
+        $Item
+    )
+
+    $MergeKeyMap = @{
+        Instances = @("Name")
+        ConfigurationOptions = @("OptionName")
+        AdditionalScripts = @("ScriptName")
+        Templates = @("TemplateName")
+        AllNodes = @("NodeName")
+        Registry = @("Key","ValueName")
+    }
+
+    if($MergeKeyMap.ContainsKey($ArrayName)){
+        return $MergeKeyMap[$ArrayName]
+    }
+
+    $SearchItem = Get-ConfigurationDataArraySearchItem -Item $Item
+    if($null -ne $SearchItem){
+        return @($SearchItem.Name)
+    }
+
+    return @()
+}
diff --git a/Private/Get-ConfigurationDataArraySearchItem.ps1 b/Private/Get-ConfigurationDataArraySearchItem.ps1
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a1ed7cc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/Private/Get-ConfigurationDataArraySearchItem.ps1
@@ -0,0 +1,24 @@
+function Get-ConfigurationDataArraySearchItem {
+    [CmdletBinding()]
+    Param(
+        [AllowNull()]
+        $Item
+    )
+
+    if($null -eq $Item){
+        return $null
+    }
+
+    if(-not (
+        ($Item -is [System.Collections.Hashtable]) -or
+        ($Item -is [System.Collections.Specialized.OrderedDictionary])
+    )){
+        return $null
+    }
+
+    return @(
+        $Item.GetEnumerator() |
+            Where-Object { ($_.Value -is [String]) -and ($_.Name -like "*Name") } |
+            Select-Object -First 1
+    )[0]
+}
diff --git a/Private/Get-ConfigurationDataDictionaryValue.ps1 b/Private/Get-ConfigurationDataDictionaryValue.ps1
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ae2da54
--- /dev/null
+++ b/Private/Get-ConfigurationDataDictionaryValue.ps1
@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
+function Get-ConfigurationDataDictionaryValue {
+    [CmdletBinding()]
+    Param(
+        [Parameter(Mandatory=$true)]
+        [System.Collections.IDictionary]
+        $Dictionary,
+
+        [Parameter(Mandatory=$true)]
+        [string]
+        $Key,
+
+        [Parameter(Mandatory=$false)]
+        [AllowNull()]
+        $DefaultValue = $null
+    )
+
+    if(Test-ConfigurationDataDictionaryKey -Dictionary $Dictionary -Key $Key){
+        return $Dictionary[$Key]
+    }
+
+    return $DefaultValue
+}
diff --git a/Private/Get-ConfigurationDataItemValue.ps1 b/Private/Get-ConfigurationDataItemValue.ps1
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e1bb764
--- /dev/null
+++ b/Private/Get-ConfigurationDataItemValue.ps1
@@ -0,0 +1,20 @@
+function Get-ConfigurationDataItemValue {
+    [CmdletBinding()]
+    Param(
+        [AllowNull()]
+        $Item,
+        [Parameter(Mandatory=$true)]
+        [String]
+        $KeyName
+    )
+
+    if(-not (Test-ConfigurationDataItemContainsKey -Item $Item -KeyName $KeyName)){
+        return $null
+    }
+
+    if($Item -is [System.Collections.IDictionary]){
+        return $Item[$KeyName]
+    }
+
+    return $Item.$KeyName
+}
diff --git a/Private/Get-ConfigurationDataTemplateExtends.ps1 b/Private/Get-ConfigurationDataTemplateExtends.ps1
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0432a0d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/Private/Get-ConfigurationDataTemplateExtends.ps1
@@ -0,0 +1,31 @@
+function Get-ConfigurationDataTemplateExtends {
+    [CmdletBinding()]
+    Param(
+        [Parameter(Mandatory=$true)]
+        [System.Collections.IDictionary]
+        $ConfigurationData
+    )
+
+    $Extends = $null
+
+    if(Test-ConfigurationDataDictionaryKey -Dictionary $ConfigurationData -Key "Metadata"){
+        $Metadata = Get-ConfigurationDataDictionaryValue -Dictionary $ConfigurationData -Key "Metadata"
+        if($Metadata -is [System.Collections.IDictionary] -and (Test-ConfigurationDataDictionaryKey -Dictionary $Metadata -Key "Extends")){
+            $Extends = Get-ConfigurationDataDictionaryValue -Dictionary $Metadata -Key "Extends"
+        }
+    }
+
+    if($null -eq $Extends -and (Test-ConfigurationDataDictionaryKey -Dictionary $ConfigurationData -Key "Extends")){
+        $Extends = Get-ConfigurationDataDictionaryValue -Dictionary $ConfigurationData -Key "Extends"
+    }
+
+    if($null -eq $Extends){
+        return @()
+    }
+
+    if($Extends -is [System.Array] -and $Extends -isnot [string]){
+        return @($Extends)
+    }
+
+    return @($Extends)
+}
diff --git a/Private/Get-ConfigurationDataTemplateMergeFile.ps1 b/Private/Get-ConfigurationDataTemplateMergeFile.ps1
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..790a42c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/Private/Get-ConfigurationDataTemplateMergeFile.ps1
@@ -0,0 +1,42 @@
+function Get-ConfigurationDataTemplateMergeFile {
+    [CmdletBinding()]
+    Param(
+        [Parameter(Mandatory=$true)]
+        [string]
+        $Path,
+
+        [Parameter(Mandatory=$false)]
+        [hashtable]
+        $Visited = @{}
+    )
+
+    $ResolvedPath = Resolve-ConfigurationDataTemplatePath -Path $Path
+
+    if($Visited.ContainsKey($ResolvedPath)){
+        $Chain = @($Visited.Keys + $ResolvedPath) -join " -> "
+        throw "Circular configuration data template inheritance detected: $Chain"
+    }
+
+    $Visited[$ResolvedPath] = $true
+
+    $ConfigurationData = Import-PowerShellDataFile -Path $ResolvedPath
+    if($ConfigurationData -isnot [System.Collections.IDictionary]){
+        throw "Configuration data template [$ResolvedPath] must contain a hashtable."
+    }
+
+    $Files = @()
+    $BasePath = Split-Path -Path $ResolvedPath -Parent
+    foreach($ParentPath in @(Get-ConfigurationDataTemplateExtends -ConfigurationData $ConfigurationData)){
+        if([string]::IsNullOrWhiteSpace([string]$ParentPath)){
+            continue
+        }
+
+        $ResolvedParentPath = Resolve-ConfigurationDataTemplatePath -Path ([string]$ParentPath) -BasePath $BasePath
+        $Files += @(Get-ConfigurationDataTemplateMergeFile -Path $ResolvedParentPath -Visited $Visited)
+    }
+
+    $Files += $ResolvedPath
+    $Visited.Remove($ResolvedPath)
+
+    return @($Files)
+}
diff --git a/Private/Merge-ConfigurationDataTemplateFile.ps1 b/Private/Merge-ConfigurationDataTemplateFile.ps1
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d2bb578
--- /dev/null
+++ b/Private/Merge-ConfigurationDataTemplateFile.ps1
@@ -0,0 +1,49 @@
+function Merge-ConfigurationDataTemplateFile {
+    [CmdletBinding()]
+    Param(
+        [Parameter(Mandatory=$true)]
+        [string[]]
+        $Path,
+
+        [Parameter(Mandatory=$false)]
+        [switch]
+        $PassThru
+    )
+
+    $MergeFiles = @()
+    $AddedFiles = @{}
+
+    foreach($Item in $Path){
+        foreach($File in @(Get-ConfigurationDataTemplateMergeFile -Path $Item)){
+            if(-not $AddedFiles.ContainsKey($File)){
+                $MergeFiles += $File
+                $AddedFiles[$File] = $true
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    $MergedConfigurationData = $null
+    foreach($File in $MergeFiles){
+        $TemplateData = Import-PowerShellDataFile -Path $File
+        if($null -eq $MergedConfigurationData){
+            $MergedConfigurationData = Copy-ConfigurationDataValue -Value $TemplateData
+            if($MergedConfigurationData -is [System.Collections.IDictionary] -and (Test-ConfigurationDataDictionaryKey -Dictionary $MergedConfigurationData -Key "Metadata")){
+                $MergedConfigurationData.Remove("Metadata")
+            }
+        }else{
+            $MergedConfigurationData = Merge-DSCConfigurationData -Template $MergedConfigurationData -Deployment $TemplateData
+            if($MergedConfigurationData -is [System.Collections.IDictionary] -and (Test-ConfigurationDataDictionaryKey -Dictionary $MergedConfigurationData -Key "Metadata")){
+                $MergedConfigurationData.Remove("Metadata")
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    if($PassThru){
+        return [PSCustomObject]@{
+            Files = $MergeFiles
+            ConfigurationData = $MergedConfigurationData
+        }
+    }
+
+    return $MergedConfigurationData
+}
diff --git a/Private/Repair-ConfigurationDataPathEncoding.ps1 b/Private/Repair-ConfigurationDataPathEncoding.ps1
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9ee0c91
--- /dev/null
+++ b/Private/Repair-ConfigurationDataPathEncoding.ps1
@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
+function Repair-ConfigurationDataPathEncoding {
+    [CmdletBinding()]
+    Param(
+        [Parameter(Mandatory=$true)]
+        [AllowEmptyString()]
+        [string]
+        $Path
+    )
+
+    if($Path -notmatch "[ÃÂ]"){
+        return $Path
+    }
+
+    try {
+        $Bytes = [System.Text.Encoding]::GetEncoding(1252).GetBytes($Path)
+        return [System.Text.Encoding]::UTF8.GetString($Bytes)
+    }
+    catch {
+        return $Path
+    }
+}
diff --git a/Private/Resolve-ConfigurationDataTemplatePath.ps1 b/Private/Resolve-ConfigurationDataTemplatePath.ps1
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..cf68b3c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/Private/Resolve-ConfigurationDataTemplatePath.ps1
@@ -0,0 +1,43 @@
+function Resolve-ConfigurationDataTemplatePath {
+    [CmdletBinding()]
+    Param(
+        [Parameter(Mandatory=$true)]
+        [string]
+        $Path,
+
+        [Parameter(Mandatory=$false)]
+        [string]
+        $BasePath = (Get-Location).Path
+    )
+
+    $CandidatePaths = @()
+    foreach($CurrentPath in @($Path, (Repair-ConfigurationDataPathEncoding -Path $Path))){
+        if([string]::IsNullOrWhiteSpace($CurrentPath)){
+            continue
+        }
+
+        $CandidatePath = $CurrentPath
+        $CandidateBasePath = Repair-ConfigurationDataPathEncoding -Path $BasePath
+        if(-not [System.IO.Path]::IsPathRooted($CandidatePath)){
+            $CandidatePath = Join-Path -Path $CandidateBasePath -ChildPath $CandidatePath
+        }
+
+        if($CandidatePaths -notcontains $CandidatePath){
+            $CandidatePaths += $CandidatePath
+        }
+    }
+
+    $ResolvedPath = $null
+    foreach($CandidatePath in $CandidatePaths){
+        $ResolvedPath = Resolve-Path -LiteralPath $CandidatePath -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
+        if($null -ne $ResolvedPath){
+            break
+        }
+    }
+
+    if($null -eq $ResolvedPath){
+        throw "Configuration data template [$Path] was not found. Base path [$BasePath]."
+    }
+
+    return $ResolvedPath.ProviderPath
+}
diff --git a/Private/Test-ConfigurationDataDictionaryKey.ps1 b/Private/Test-ConfigurationDataDictionaryKey.ps1
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5be4e9b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/Private/Test-ConfigurationDataDictionaryKey.ps1
@@ -0,0 +1,18 @@
+function Test-ConfigurationDataDictionaryKey {
+    [CmdletBinding()]
+    Param(
+        [Parameter(Mandatory=$true)]
+        [System.Collections.IDictionary]
+        $Dictionary,
+
+        [Parameter(Mandatory=$true)]
+        [string]
+        $Key
+    )
+
+    if($Dictionary -is [System.Collections.Specialized.OrderedDictionary]){
+        return $Dictionary.Contains($Key)
+    }
+
+    return $Dictionary.ContainsKey($Key)
+}
diff --git a/Private/Test-ConfigurationDataItemContainsKey.ps1 b/Private/Test-ConfigurationDataItemContainsKey.ps1
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..952689c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/Private/Test-ConfigurationDataItemContainsKey.ps1
@@ -0,0 +1,20 @@
+function Test-ConfigurationDataItemContainsKey {
+    [CmdletBinding()]
+    Param(
+        [AllowNull()]
+        $Item,
+        [Parameter(Mandatory=$true)]
+        [String]
+        $KeyName
+    )
+
+    if($null -eq $Item){
+        return $false
+    }
+
+    if($Item -is [System.Collections.IDictionary]){
+        return $Item.Contains($KeyName)
+    }
+
+    return $null -ne $Item.PSObject.Properties[$KeyName]
+}
diff --git a/Private/Test-ConfigurationDataItemHasKeys.ps1 b/Private/Test-ConfigurationDataItemHasKeys.ps1
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f140d80
--- /dev/null
+++ b/Private/Test-ConfigurationDataItemHasKeys.ps1
@@ -0,0 +1,18 @@
+function Test-ConfigurationDataItemHasKeys {
+    [CmdletBinding()]
+    Param(
+        [AllowNull()]
+        $Item,
+        [Parameter(Mandatory=$true)]
+        [String[]]
+        $KeyNames
+    )
+
+    foreach($KeyName in $KeyNames){
+        if(-not (Test-ConfigurationDataItemContainsKey -Item $Item -KeyName $KeyName)){
+            return $false
+        }
+    }
+
+    return $true
+}
diff --git a/Private/Test-ConfigurationDataItemKeyMatch.ps1 b/Private/Test-ConfigurationDataItemKeyMatch.ps1
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1b1479d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/Private/Test-ConfigurationDataItemKeyMatch.ps1
@@ -0,0 +1,32 @@
+function Test-ConfigurationDataItemKeyMatch {
+    [CmdletBinding()]
+    Param(
+        [AllowNull()]
+        $Left,
+        [AllowNull()]
+        $Right,
+        [Parameter(Mandatory=$true)]
+        [String[]]
+        $KeyNames
+    )
+
+    if($KeyNames.Count -eq 0){
+        return $false
+    }
+
+    foreach($KeyName in $KeyNames){
+        if(-not (Test-ConfigurationDataItemContainsKey -Item $Left -KeyName $KeyName)){
+            return $false
+        }
+
+        if(-not (Test-ConfigurationDataItemContainsKey -Item $Right -KeyName $KeyName)){
+            return $false
+        }
+
+        if((Get-ConfigurationDataItemValue -Item $Left -KeyName $KeyName) -ne (Get-ConfigurationDataItemValue -Item $Right -KeyName $KeyName)){
+            return $false
+        }
+    }
+
+    return $true
+}
diff --git a/Private/Test-ConfigurationDataItemWildcard.ps1 b/Private/Test-ConfigurationDataItemWildcard.ps1
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4676f49
--- /dev/null
+++ b/Private/Test-ConfigurationDataItemWildcard.ps1
@@ -0,0 +1,20 @@
+function Test-ConfigurationDataItemWildcard {
+    [CmdletBinding()]
+    Param(
+        [AllowNull()]
+        $Item,
+        [Parameter(Mandatory=$true)]
+        [String[]]
+        $KeyNames
+    )
+
+    if($KeyNames.Count -ne 1){
+        return $false
+    }
+
+    if(-not (Test-ConfigurationDataItemContainsKey -Item $Item -KeyName $KeyNames[0])){
+        return $false
+    }
+
+    return (Get-ConfigurationDataItemValue -Item $Item -KeyName $KeyNames[0]) -eq "*"
+}
diff --git a/Public/Export-PowerShellDataFile.ps1 b/Public/Export-PowerShellDataFile.ps1
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3674c7e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/Public/Export-PowerShellDataFile.ps1
@@ -0,0 +1,32 @@
+function Export-PowerShellDataFile {
+    [CmdletBinding()]
+    Param(
+        [Parameter(Mandatory=$true, ValueFromPipeline=$true)]
+        [System.Collections.IDictionary]
+        $InputObject,
+
+        [Parameter(Mandatory=$true)]
+        [string]
+        $Path,
+
+        [Parameter(Mandatory=$false)]
+        [switch]
+        $Force
+    )
+
+    process {
+        $ResolvedPath = Repair-ConfigurationDataPathEncoding -Path $Path
+
+        if((Test-Path -LiteralPath $ResolvedPath -PathType Leaf) -and (-not $Force)){
+            throw "File [$ResolvedPath] already exists. Use -Force to overwrite it."
+        }
+
+        $Parent = Split-Path -Path $ResolvedPath -Parent
+        if(-not [string]::IsNullOrWhiteSpace($Parent) -and -not (Test-Path -LiteralPath $Parent)){
+            New-Item -Path $Parent -ItemType Directory -Force | Out-Null
+        }
+
+        $Text = ConvertTo-PowerShellDataFileText -InputObject $InputObject
+        Set-Content -LiteralPath $ResolvedPath -Value $Text -Encoding UTF8
+    }
+}
diff --git a/Public/Merge-DSCConfigurationData.ps1 b/Public/Merge-DSCConfigurationData.ps1
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..edcea57
--- /dev/null
+++ b/Public/Merge-DSCConfigurationData.ps1
@@ -0,0 +1,124 @@
+function Merge-DSCConfigurationData {
+    [CmdletBinding(DefaultParameterSetName="Data")]
+    Param(
+        [Parameter(Mandatory=$true, ParameterSetName="Data")]
+        [System.Collections.IDictionary]
+        $Template,
+
+        [Parameter(Mandatory=$false, ParameterSetName="Data")]
+        [System.Collections.IDictionary]
+        $Deployment = @{},
+
+        [Parameter(Mandatory=$false, ParameterSetName="Data")]
+        [System.Collections.IDictionary]
+        $Output,
+
+        [Parameter(Mandatory=$true, ParameterSetName="Path", ValueFromPipeline=$true, ValueFromPipelineByPropertyName=$true)]
+        [Alias("FullName")]
+        [string[]]
+        $Path,
+
+        [Parameter(Mandatory=$false, ParameterSetName="Path")]
+        [switch]
+        $PassThru
+    )
+
+    begin {
+        $TemplatePath = @()
+    }
+
+    process {
+        if($PSCmdlet.ParameterSetName -eq "Path"){
+            $TemplatePath += @($Path)
+            return
+        }
+
+        if($Output -eq $null){
+            $Output = $Deployment
+        }
+
+        foreach($Property in $Template.GetEnumerator()){
+            if($Property.Name -eq "Metadata"){
+                Write-Verbose "Skipping metadata block during configuration data merge"
+                continue
+            }
+
+            if($Property.Value -is [System.Collections.IDictionary]){
+                Write-Verbose "Key [$($Property.Name)] is a Dictionary"
+                if(Test-ConfigurationDataDictionaryKey -Dictionary $Deployment -Key $Property.Name){
+                    Write-Verbose "Key [$($Property.Name)] is present in Deployment Data"
+                    $Output[$Property.Name] = Merge-DSCConfigurationData -Template $Template[$Property.Name] -Deployment $Deployment[$Property.Name] -Output $Output[$Property.Name]
+                }else{
+                    Write-Verbose "Key [$($Property.Name)] is not present in Deployment Data"
+                    $Output.Add($Property.Name,(Copy-ConfigurationDataValue -Value $Template[$Property.Name]))
+                }
+            }elseif($Property.Value -is [System.Array]){
+                Write-Verbose "$($Property.Name) is ein Array"
+                Write-Verbose "Total Items in Template Array [$($Property.Value.Count)]"
+                Write-Verbose "Total Items in Deployment Array [$(@(Get-ConfigurationDataDictionaryValue -Dictionary $Deployment -Key $Property.Name -DefaultValue @()).Count)]"
+                if(Test-ConfigurationDataDictionaryKey -Dictionary $Deployment -Key $Property.Name){
+                    Write-Verbose "Array is defined in Deployment"
+
+                    $DeploymentArray = Get-ConfigurationDataDictionaryValue -Dictionary $Deployment -Key $Property.Name
+                    $TemplateItems = for($i=0;$i -lt $Property.Value.Count; $i++){
+                        $SearchKeyNames = @(Get-ConfigurationDataArrayMergeKeyNames -ArrayName $Property.Name -Item $Property.Value[$i])
+                        [PSCustomObject]@{
+                            Value = $Property.Value[$i]
+                            SearchKeyNames = $SearchKeyNames
+                            IsWildcard = Test-ConfigurationDataItemWildcard -Item $Property.Value[$i] -KeyNames $SearchKeyNames
+                        }
+                    }
+
+                    $TemplateItems = @($TemplateItems | Where-Object { -not $_.IsWildcard }) + @($TemplateItems | Where-Object { $_.IsWildcard })
+
+                    foreach($TemplateItem in $TemplateItems){
+                        $SearchKeyNames = @($TemplateItem.SearchKeyNames)
+
+                        if($SearchKeyNames.Count -eq 0){
+                            Write-Verbose "No matching name key found for item in [$($Property.Name)]"
+                            $Output[$Property.Name] += ,(Copy-ConfigurationDataValue -Value $TemplateItem.Value)
+                            continue
+                        }
+
+                        if($TemplateItem.IsWildcard){
+                            $MatchingDeploymentItems = @($DeploymentArray | Where-Object { Test-ConfigurationDataItemHasKeys -Item $_ -KeyNames $SearchKeyNames })
+                        }else{
+                            $MatchingDeploymentItems = @($DeploymentArray | Where-Object { Test-ConfigurationDataItemKeyMatch -Left $_ -Right $TemplateItem.Value -KeyNames $SearchKeyNames })
+                        }
+
+                        if($MatchingDeploymentItems.Count -gt 0){
+                            foreach($DeploymentItem in $MatchingDeploymentItems){
+                                $OutputItem = @($Output[$Property.Name] | Where-Object { Test-ConfigurationDataItemKeyMatch -Left $_ -Right $DeploymentItem -KeyNames $SearchKeyNames })[0]
+                                Merge-DSCConfigurationData -Template $TemplateItem.Value -Deployment $DeploymentItem -Output $OutputItem | Out-Null
+                            }
+                        }else{
+                            if($TemplateItem.IsWildcard){
+                                Write-Verbose "Wildcard item [$(Format-ConfigurationDataMergeKey -Item $TemplateItem.Value -KeyNames $SearchKeyNames)] in [$($Property.Name)] matched no deployment items"
+                            }else{
+                                Write-Verbose "Pair [$(Format-ConfigurationDataMergeKey -Item $TemplateItem.Value -KeyNames $SearchKeyNames)] not present"
+                                $Output[$Property.Name] += ,(Copy-ConfigurationDataValue -Value $TemplateItem.Value)
+                            }
+                        }
+                    }
+                }else{
+                    Write-Verbose "Array is not defined in Deployment"
+                    $Output[$Property.Name] = Copy-ConfigurationDataValue -Value $Template[$Property.Name]
+                }
+            }else{
+                Write-Verbose "$($Property.Name) is a String or Integer Value"
+                if(-not (Test-ConfigurationDataDictionaryKey -Dictionary $Deployment -Key $Property.Name)){
+                    $Output.Add($Property.Name,(Copy-ConfigurationDataValue -Value $Template[$Property.Name]))
+                }elseif($Deployment[$Property.Name] -ne $Property.Value){
+                }
+            }
+        }
+
+        return $Output
+    }
+
+    end {
+        if($PSCmdlet.ParameterSetName -eq "Path"){
+            return Merge-ConfigurationDataTemplateFile -Path $TemplatePath -PassThru:$PassThru
+        }
+    }
+}
diff --git a/Public/New-DSCConfigurationDataDeployment.ps1 b/Public/New-DSCConfigurationDataDeployment.ps1
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c9ff185
--- /dev/null
+++ b/Public/New-DSCConfigurationDataDeployment.ps1
@@ -0,0 +1,143 @@
+function New-DSCConfigurationDataDeployment {
+    [CmdletBinding(SupportsShouldProcess=$true)]
+    Param(
+        [Parameter(Mandatory=$false)]
+        [string]
+        $Path,
+
+        [Parameter(Mandatory=$true)]
+        [string]
+        $Name,
+
+        [Parameter(Mandatory=$true)]
+        [string]
+        $DeploymentId,
+
+        [Parameter(Mandatory=$true)]
+        [Alias("SourceTemplates")]
+        [string[]]
+        $SourceTemplatePath,
+
+        [Parameter(Mandatory=$false)]
+        [hashtable[]]
+        $AllNodes = @(),
+
+        [Parameter(Mandatory=$false)]
+        [System.Collections.IDictionary]
+        $DeploymentData = @{},
+
+        [Parameter(Mandatory=$false)]
+        [switch]
+        $UseRelativePaths,
+
+        [Parameter(Mandatory=$false)]
+        [switch]
+        $Export,
+
+        [Parameter(Mandatory=$false)]
+        [ValidateSet("PowerShellDataFile", "Json")]
+        [string]
+        $Format = "PowerShellDataFile",
+
+        [Parameter(Mandatory=$false)]
+        [switch]
+        $Force,
+
+        [Parameter(Mandatory=$false)]
+        [switch]
+        $PassThru
+    )
+
+    if($Export -and [string]::IsNullOrWhiteSpace($Path)){
+        throw "Parameter [Path] is required when [Export] is used."
+    }
+
+    $ResolvedOutputPath = $null
+    if(-not [string]::IsNullOrWhiteSpace($Path)){
+        $ResolvedOutputPath = Repair-ConfigurationDataPathEncoding -Path $Path
+    }
+
+    $OutputDirectory = if([string]::IsNullOrWhiteSpace($ResolvedOutputPath)){
+        (Get-Location).Path
+    }else{
+        Split-Path -Path $ResolvedOutputPath -Parent
+    }
+
+    if([string]::IsNullOrWhiteSpace($OutputDirectory)){
+        $OutputDirectory = (Get-Location).Path
+    }
+
+    $MergeResult = Merge-DSCConfigurationData -Path $SourceTemplatePath -PassThru
+    $MergedTemplateData = $MergeResult.ConfigurationData
+
+    $DeploymentOverride = Copy-ConfigurationDataValue -Value $DeploymentData
+    if($AllNodes.Count -gt 0){
+        if(-not (Test-ConfigurationDataDictionaryKey -Dictionary $DeploymentOverride -Key "Resources")){
+            $DeploymentOverride["Resources"] = @{}
+        }
+
+        $DeploymentOverride["Resources"]["AllNodes"] = $AllNodes
+    }
+
+    $ConfigurationData = Merge-DSCConfigurationData -Template $MergedTemplateData -Deployment $DeploymentOverride
+
+    $TemplatePaths = @($SourceTemplatePath | ForEach-Object {
+        $Resolved = Resolve-ConfigurationDataTemplatePath -Path $_
+        if($UseRelativePaths){
+            ConvertTo-ConfigurationDataRelativePath -Path $Resolved -BasePath $OutputDirectory
+        }else{
+            $Resolved
+        }
+    })
+
+    $SourceFiles = @($MergeResult.Files | ForEach-Object {
+        if($UseRelativePaths){
+            ConvertTo-ConfigurationDataRelativePath -Path $_ -BasePath $OutputDirectory
+        }else{
+            $_
+        }
+    })
+
+    $ConfigurationData["Metadata"] = [ordered]@{
+        TemplateType = "Deployment"
+        Name = $Name
+        DeploymentId = $DeploymentId
+        GeneratedOn = (Get-Date).ToString("s")
+        Sources = [ordered]@{
+            Templates = $TemplatePaths
+            Files = $SourceFiles
+        }
+    }
+
+    if(-not $Export){
+        return $ConfigurationData
+    }
+
+    if($PSCmdlet.ShouldProcess($ResolvedOutputPath, "Export DSC configuration data deployment as [$Format]")){
+        switch($Format){
+            "PowerShellDataFile" {
+                Export-PowerShellDataFile -InputObject $ConfigurationData -Path $ResolvedOutputPath -Force:$Force
+            }
+            "Json" {
+                if((Test-Path -LiteralPath $ResolvedOutputPath -PathType Leaf) -and (-not $Force)){
+                    throw "File [$ResolvedOutputPath] already exists. Use -Force to overwrite it."
+                }
+
+                $Parent = Split-Path -Path $ResolvedOutputPath -Parent
+                if(-not [string]::IsNullOrWhiteSpace($Parent) -and -not (Test-Path -LiteralPath $Parent)){
+                    New-Item -Path $Parent -ItemType Directory -Force | Out-Null
+                }
+
+                $ConfigurationData | ConvertTo-Json -Depth 100 | Set-Content -LiteralPath $ResolvedOutputPath -Encoding UTF8
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    if($PassThru){
+        return [PSCustomObject]@{
+            Path = $ResolvedOutputPath
+            Files = $MergeResult.Files
+            ConfigurationData = $ConfigurationData
+        }
+    }
+}
diff --git a/Tests/Extends.Tests.ps1 b/Tests/Extends.Tests.ps1
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..26dc8e9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/Tests/Extends.Tests.ps1
@@ -0,0 +1,291 @@
+$script:ModuleRoot = Split-Path -Parent $PSScriptRoot
+$script:ModuleManifest = Join-Path -Path $script:ModuleRoot -ChildPath 'Merge-DSCConfigurationData.psd1'
+
+Import-Module $script:ModuleManifest -Force
+
+Describe 'Merge-DSCConfigurationData Extends' {
+    It 'keeps the existing hashtable merge behavior' {
+        $Template = @{
+            Parameters = @{
+                DomainFQDN = @{
+                    Type = 'string'
+                    Required = $true
+                    DefaultValue = 'example.local'
+                }
+            }
+        }
+
+        $Deployment = @{
+            Parameters = @{
+                DomainFQDN = @{
+                    Value = 'contoso.local'
+                }
+            }
+        }
+
+        $Result = Merge-DSCConfigurationData -Template $Template -Deployment $Deployment
+
+        $Result.Parameters.DomainFQDN.Type | Should Be 'string'
+        $Result.Parameters.DomainFQDN.Required | Should Be $true
+        $Result.Parameters.DomainFQDN.Value | Should Be 'contoso.local'
+    }
+
+    It 'merges a child template with Metadata.Extends' {
+        $DefaultPath = Join-Path -Path $TestDrive -ChildPath 'Default.psd1'
+        $ChildPath = Join-Path -Path $TestDrive -ChildPath 'Contoso.psd1'
+
+        @'
+@{
+    Metadata = @{
+        TemplateType = 'Environment'
+        Name = 'Default'
+    }
+    Parameters = @{
+        DomainFQDN = @{
+            Type = 'string'
+            Required = $true
+            DefaultValue = 'example.local'
+        }
+        DomainNetBIOS = @{
+            Type = 'string'
+            Required = $true
+        }
+    }
+    Resources = @{
+        NonNodeData = @{
+            RequiredModules = @(
+                @{
+                    Name = 'ActiveDirectoryDsc'
+                    Version = '6.7.1'
+                }
+            )
+        }
+    }
+}
+'@ | Set-Content -Path $DefaultPath -Encoding UTF8
+
+        @'
+@{
+    Metadata = @{
+        TemplateType = 'Environment'
+        Name = 'Contoso'
+        Extends = './Default.psd1'
+    }
+    Parameters = @{
+        DomainFQDN = @{
+            Value = 'contoso.local'
+        }
+        DomainNetBIOS = @{
+            Value = 'CONTOSO'
+        }
+    }
+}
+'@ | Set-Content -Path $ChildPath -Encoding UTF8
+
+        $Result = Merge-DSCConfigurationData -Path $ChildPath -PassThru
+
+        $Result.Files.Count | Should Be 2
+        [System.IO.Path]::GetFileName($Result.Files[0]) | Should Be 'Default.psd1'
+        [System.IO.Path]::GetFileName($Result.Files[1]) | Should Be 'Contoso.psd1'
+        $Result.ConfigurationData.Parameters.DomainFQDN.Type | Should Be 'string'
+        $Result.ConfigurationData.Parameters.DomainFQDN.Value | Should Be 'contoso.local'
+        $Result.ConfigurationData.Parameters.DomainNetBIOS.Required | Should Be $true
+        $Result.ConfigurationData.Parameters.DomainNetBIOS.Value | Should Be 'CONTOSO'
+        $Result.ConfigurationData.Resources.NonNodeData.RequiredModules[0].Name | Should Be 'ActiveDirectoryDsc'
+        $Result.ConfigurationData.ContainsKey('Metadata') | Should Be $false
+    }
+
+    It 'detects circular Metadata.Extends references' {
+        $APath = Join-Path -Path $TestDrive -ChildPath 'A.psd1'
+        $BPath = Join-Path -Path $TestDrive -ChildPath 'B.psd1'
+
+        @'
+@{
+    Metadata = @{
+        Extends = './B.psd1'
+    }
+}
+'@ | Set-Content -Path $APath -Encoding UTF8
+
+        @'
+@{
+    Metadata = @{
+        Extends = './A.psd1'
+    }
+}
+'@ | Set-Content -Path $BPath -Encoding UTF8
+
+        { Merge-DSCConfigurationData -Path $APath } | Should Throw
+    }
+
+    It 'exports importable PSD1 files with quoted metadata keys' {
+        $Path = Join-Path -Path $TestDrive -ChildPath 'Export.psd1'
+
+        @{
+            Metadata = @{
+                Description = @{
+                    'de-DE' = 'Deutsch'
+                    'en-US' = 'English'
+                }
+            }
+        } | Export-PowerShellDataFile -Path $Path -Force
+
+        $Data = Import-PowerShellDataFile -Path $Path
+        $Data.Metadata.Description['de-DE'] | Should Be 'Deutsch'
+        $Data.Metadata.Description['en-US'] | Should Be 'English'
+    }
+
+    It 'creates materialized deployment data without exporting by default' {
+        $DefaultPath = Join-Path -Path $TestDrive -ChildPath 'Default.psd1'
+        $ChildPath = Join-Path -Path $TestDrive -ChildPath 'Contoso.psd1'
+
+        @'
+@{
+    Metadata = @{
+        TemplateType = 'Environment'
+        Name = 'Default'
+    }
+    Parameters = @{
+        DomainFQDN = @{
+            Type = 'string'
+            Required = $true
+        }
+    }
+    Resources = @{
+        AllNodes = @(
+            @{
+                NodeName = '*'
+                PSDSCAllowPlainTextPassword = $true
+            }
+        )
+    }
+}
+'@ | Set-Content -Path $DefaultPath -Encoding UTF8
+
+        @'
+@{
+    Metadata = @{
+        TemplateType = 'Environment'
+        Name = 'Contoso'
+        Extends = './Default.psd1'
+    }
+    Parameters = @{
+        DomainFQDN = @{
+            Value = 'contoso.local'
+        }
+    }
+}
+'@ | Set-Content -Path $ChildPath -Encoding UTF8
+
+        $Result = New-DSCConfigurationDataDeployment `
+            -Name 'Contoso-Test' `
+            -DeploymentId '123' `
+            -SourceTemplatePath $ChildPath `
+            -AllNodes @(
+                @{
+                    NodeName = 'Node01'
+                    RunCentralAdministration = $true
+                }
+            )
+
+        $Result.Metadata.TemplateType | Should Be 'Deployment'
+        $Result.Metadata.Sources.Files.Count | Should Be 2
+        $Result.Parameters.DomainFQDN.Value | Should Be 'contoso.local'
+        $Result.Resources.AllNodes[0].NodeName | Should Be 'Node01'
+        $Result.Resources.AllNodes[0].PSDSCAllowPlainTextPassword | Should Be $true
+    }
+
+    It 'exports materialized deployment data as PSD1' {
+        $DefaultPath = Join-Path -Path $TestDrive -ChildPath 'Default.psd1'
+        $ChildPath = Join-Path -Path $TestDrive -ChildPath 'Contoso.psd1'
+        $DeploymentPath = Join-Path -Path $TestDrive -ChildPath 'Deployments\Deployment_123.psd1'
+
+        @'
+@{
+    Metadata = @{
+        TemplateType = 'Environment'
+        Name = 'Default'
+    }
+    Parameters = @{
+        DomainFQDN = @{
+            Type = 'string'
+            Required = $true
+        }
+    }
+}
+'@ | Set-Content -Path $DefaultPath -Encoding UTF8
+
+        @'
+@{
+    Metadata = @{
+        TemplateType = 'Environment'
+        Name = 'Contoso'
+        Extends = './Default.psd1'
+    }
+    Parameters = @{
+        DomainFQDN = @{
+            Value = 'contoso.local'
+        }
+    }
+}
+'@ | Set-Content -Path $ChildPath -Encoding UTF8
+
+        $Result = New-DSCConfigurationDataDeployment `
+            -Path $DeploymentPath `
+            -Name 'Contoso-Test' `
+            -DeploymentId '123' `
+            -SourceTemplatePath $ChildPath `
+            -AllNodes @(
+                @{
+                    NodeName = 'Node01'
+                    RunCentralAdministration = $true
+                }
+            ) `
+            -UseRelativePaths `
+            -Export `
+            -Format PowerShellDataFile `
+            -Force `
+            -PassThru
+
+        $DeploymentPath | Should Exist
+        $Result.ConfigurationData.Metadata.TemplateType | Should Be 'Deployment'
+        $Result.ConfigurationData.Metadata.Sources.Files.Count | Should Be 2
+        $Result.ConfigurationData.Parameters.DomainFQDN.Value | Should Be 'contoso.local'
+        $Result.ConfigurationData.Resources.AllNodes[0].NodeName | Should Be 'Node01'
+        $Result.ConfigurationData.Resources.AllNodes[0].RunCentralAdministration | Should Be $true
+
+        $Imported = Import-PowerShellDataFile -Path $DeploymentPath
+        $Imported.Metadata.Name | Should Be 'Contoso-Test'
+        $Imported.Metadata.Sources.Templates.Count | Should Be 1
+    }
+
+    It 'exports materialized deployment data as JSON' {
+        $DefaultPath = Join-Path -Path $TestDrive -ChildPath 'Default.psd1'
+        $DeploymentPath = Join-Path -Path $TestDrive -ChildPath 'Deployment_123.json'
+
+        @'
+@{
+    Parameters = @{
+        DomainFQDN = @{
+            Type = 'string'
+            Value = 'contoso.local'
+        }
+    }
+}
+'@ | Set-Content -Path $DefaultPath -Encoding UTF8
+
+        New-DSCConfigurationDataDeployment `
+            -Path $DeploymentPath `
+            -Name 'Contoso-Test' `
+            -DeploymentId '123' `
+            -SourceTemplatePath $DefaultPath `
+            -Export `
+            -Format Json `
+            -Force
+
+        $DeploymentPath | Should Exist
+        $Imported = Get-Content -Path $DeploymentPath -Raw | ConvertFrom-Json
+        $Imported.Metadata.TemplateType | Should Be 'Deployment'
+        $Imported.Parameters.DomainFQDN.Value | Should Be 'contoso.local'
+    }
+}