Where Does GNUnet Store Identity and Data?
Where GNUnet keeps peer identity, config and datastore on Linux, and how to migrate a node.
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GNUnet splits node state two ways on Linux: configuration, peer identity and friend files under XDG config, and the block datastore plus caches under local share. The split follows freedesktop conventions across distributions.
Stop the services before copying; the datastore writes during operation and live copies restore corrupt. Identity files decide who your node is, so treat them as secrets during moves. Fresh installs regenerate everything except reputation.
Where GNUnet stores this, by platform
~/.config/gnunet
Identity and config under XDG config, datastore under local share. Stop services before copying. Identity files are secrets; datastore rebuilds slowly.
Frequently asked questions
How do I move a GNUnet node to a new machine?
Stop all GNUnet services and copy the config plus local share trees elsewhere. Identity and friends travel in config, datastore blocks in local share. Restoring one without the other orphans stored blocks.
What is the one file I must not lose?
Back up the peer identity files separately from bulk datastore. Identity is small and irreplaceable; datastore rebuilds from the network over time. Guard identity files like private keys.
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