Where Does GitHub Desktop Put Cloned Repositories?
Where GitHub Desktop clones repositories by default, and where its own settings and logs live.
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GitHub Desktop clones into a GitHub folder inside Documents by default (~/Documents/GitHub on Mac, %USERPROFILE%\Documents\GitHub on Windows). Each repository is an ordinary git folder there, so the command line, VS Code and the app all see the same files.
The default is sticky rather than fixed: whatever local path you pick during a clone becomes the starting point for the next one. The app own data (login, settings, logs) lives separately in its Application Support folder and almost never needs attention.
Where GitHub Desktop stores this, by platform
%USERPROFILE%\Documents\GitHub
Change it per clone in the Local path field; the choice persists. App data (settings, logs) sits in %APPDATA%\GitHub Desktop, separate from your repos.
~/Documents/GitHub
Same sticky default as Windows. App data lives in ~/Library/Application Support/GitHub Desktop. Use Go > Go to Folder in Finder for the Library tree.
Frequently asked questions
How do I move a repository GitHub Desktop already tracks?
Move the folder in Explorer or Finder, then open GitHub Desktop and choose File > Add Local Repository, pointing at the new location. The app re-links rather than re-cloning, so history and remotes survive. Future clones remember the last used path automatically.
How do I migrate my repositories to a new computer?
The clones are portable: copy the repo folders to the new machine, install GitHub Desktop, and Add Local Repository for each. Sign in again for authentication. App settings themselves (in %APPDATA% or Application Support) rarely need migrating.
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