Where Does the COSMIC Desktop Store Settings?
Where the COSMIC desktop keeps its per key settings files on Linux, and how user files override defaults.
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COSMIC keeps settings as plain text files with one file per key under a versioned tree. Each component owns a directory with a version child holding its options. The Settings app and hand edits write the same files.
System defaults ship in the shared tree as fallback while user files override them. A separate state tree holds non config runtime data in a mirrored layout. Back up the user tree to roam panels, shortcuts, themes and compositor choices together. Workspaces and input settings ride in sibling files, so back up the root.
Where COSMIC desktop stores this, by platform
~/.config/cosmic
User settings root with one versioned directory per component. Shortcuts, panels, themes and compositor options live here. System defaults in the shared tree lose to these files.
Frequently asked questions
How do I edit a COSMIC setting by hand?
Edit the plain text RON file for that component under the user config tree from this post. Changes apply live through file watching with no daemon restart. Keep a copy first since there is no undo for hand edits.
What is the difference between COSMIC config and state files?
User files under the config home win while system files under the shared tree provide fallback defaults. State only files live separately under the local state tree. Copy user files between machines to roam a full setup.
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