Where Does asdf Store Tool Versions?
asdf home directory with installs, shims and .tool-versions files on Linux and macOS.
Last updated
asdf installs every runtime version under its home directory, with shims intercepting commands and .tool-versions files pinning versions per project. Plugins for each language live next door.
The directory is fully rebuildable from version files, so backups are optional. Copy shims plus installs to skip recompiling toolchains on a fresh machine.
Where asdf stores this, by platform
~/.asdf
Versions under installs, shims in shims, plugins in plugins, downloads cached in downloads. Project pins live in .tool-versions files up the directory tree, not here. Reshim after plugin updates so new binaries appear on PATH.
Frequently asked questions
How do I use a project's tool versions?
Place a .tool-versions file in the project root listing each tool and version. asdf reads the nearest one upward from your shell.
Where are asdf shims?
In the shims subfolder of the directory above. That folder must sit on PATH for version switching to work.
Notice an outdated path? Let us know.