Where Does Cockpit Store Machines and Config?
Cockpit reads cockpit.conf in /etc/cockpit with dashboard machines in machines.d beside it.
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Cockpit configures from files in /etc/cockpit. The cockpit.conf file sets ports and access policy while machines.d holds JSON files for dashboard hosts. Package data and branding sit in share folders nearby.
No central database exists since Cockpit reads live system state per session. User preferences persist in browser storage instead. Back up the etc tree to reproduce the dashboard elsewhere.
Where Cockpit stores this, by platform
/etc/cockpit/machines.d
One JSON file per dashboard machine with address and color. Main policy sits in cockpit.conf beside it. No database involved.
Frequently asked questions
How do I add a server to Cockpit?
Add its JSON file to machines.d or use the dashboard add dialog. SSH keys must already reach the host. Colors help tell machines apart.
Where are Cockpit user settings?
In browser storage per machine dashboard, not on the server. Server side holds only shared config. Clear site data to reset the view.
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