Where Does Glances Store Config?
Glances system and user config files, and which one to edit for personal thresholds.
Last updated
Glances reads a system config from /etc/glances and a personal override from ~/.config/glances, with the home copy winning every disagreement. Thresholds, sidebar layout, plugin toggles and client server options all live in the same glances.conf format on both levels.
That layering mirrors classic Unix practice and rewards restraint. Set only what differs in the home file and let system defaults carry the rest, so updates never strand you with a stale full copy. The web UI and client modes read the same files, so one edit covers every interface.
Where Glances stores this, by platform
~/.config/glances/glances.conf
Respects $XDG_CONFIG_HOME when set. Copy the sections you want to change out of the system file as a template rather than duplicating the whole thing.
~/.config/glances/glances.conf
Homebrew installs use the same ~/.config path, so configs move between Linux and Mac untouched. The system level file may sit under the Homebrew prefix instead of /etc.
Frequently asked questions
how do i change glances thresholds without sudo
Edit the user copy under ~/.config/glances and leave /etc alone. The home file overrides system defaults without sudo and survives package updates that can replace the system original.
how do i reset glances settings
Delete glances.conf from ~/.config/glances and restart. Defaults return immediately, clearing broken thresholds, bad sidebar layouts and plugin misconfigurations in one move.
Notice an outdated path? Let us know.