Where Does Gajim Store Settings and Chat History?
Gajim splits settings, chat history database and plugins across XDG folders. Config and data paths for Linux and Windows.
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Gajim follows the XDG base directories strictly, which means three folders instead of one. Settings live under the config directory, the SQLite message database and plugins live under the data directory, and throwaway cache sits under the cache directory. History questions point at the data folder; settings questions point at config.
On Windows the same split collapses into a single Gajim folder in Roaming app data, with a Plugins subfolder for add-ons. Either way, Gajim must be closed before you copy or edit anything, since the history database is locked while running. The --config-path flag relocates everything for portable or multi-profile setups.
Where Gajim stores this, by platform
~/.local/share/gajim
Settings in ~/.config/gajim, message database and plugins in ~/.local/share/gajim, cache in ~/.cache/gajim. The history database is SQLite and locked while Gajim runs, so close the app before backups. --config-path overrides all three locations at once.
%APPDATA%\Gajim
Settings, database and plugins consolidated here instead of the Linux three-folder split. Third-party plugins go in the Plugins subfolder. Same rule as Linux: close Gajim before copying, since the SQLite history database is locked while running.
Frequently asked questions
where are gajim chat logs stored
In the SQLite message database inside the data folder, not in plain-text logs. Browse it with any SQLite tool while Gajim is closed, or export from inside the app. Back up the whole data folder and you keep history plus avatars and plugin data together.
how do i move gajim to a new computer
Copy both the config and data folders to the matching locations on the new machine while Gajim is closed on both ends. Passwords may live in the system keyring instead, so expect to re-enter account passwords once. Plugins travel with the data folder's plugins subfolder.
how do i run two gajim accounts separately
Launch with the -u flag followed by a profile name to run separate instances with separate folders. The --config-path flag points Gajim at an entirely custom directory. Either beats juggling two accounts in one profile when you need work and personal separated.
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