It would be awesome if Local was capable of creating the minimum export zip to be able to re-import successfully back into Local.
Given all the recommendations to zip up the wp-content folder and the SQL file, it’s my feature request to create an Export option in the site menu to create such a zip file.
It could be a good idea to generate some type of “simple” or “quick” zip that just has the essentials!
As a workaround users could use the WP Migrate Lite plugin (free) to create an export file that is tailored to what they want.
I understand, but this seems like a rather simple function that essentially exists in the more complex form of Export where the entire site, configs, etc are zipped and saved. Something like this will provide much simpler local backups of sites.
Export doesn’t require an addition plugin and this shouldn’t either.
Don’t get me wrong. I’ve had a license for WP Migrate for a long time and have recommended it here long before it was a WPE property. 
Oh I’m totally with you @afragen! I didn’t mean to insinuate that should be a permanent solution just that in case users came here looking for an alternative in the meantime. Thank you always for the input 
FWIW I usually end up copying the wp-content and local.sql file in the same directory and then use the macOS Compress command to create the zip. This would just be simpler.