Where Does abook Store Contacts?
abook keeps contacts in a plain addressbook file plus a small config in home on Linux. File paths and mutt hookup.
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abook stores contacts in one plain addressbook file in home with a small config beside it. Names, addresses and nicknames live as text. Mail clients query that file per keystroke.
That text design makes moves one copy and diffs readable. Version control both files and every terminal completes the same names. Export to vCard from inside abook for phone friendly copies.
Where abook stores this, by platform
~/.abook/addressbook
Contacts as plain text with nicknames and emails. Back up directly. The config beside it tunes fields and display for mail client queries.
~/.abook/abookrc
Field order, display options and data file location in one file. Edit with editors quit. Points at the addressbook above by default.
Frequently asked questions
How do I move abook contacts?
Copy the addressbook file to the same relative path on the new machine. Names, emails and nicknames travel with it. The config file tunes field order and display, so include it for identical lookups.
How do I use abook with mutt?
Through the query command naming the addressbook file, commonly wired to mutt with a macro. Each lookup prints matches for the mail client to complete. Keep the file sorted with the built in sort command.
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