Where Is the Matplotlib Config File?
Matplotlib rc lookup with per-OS config roots plus cache split.
Last updated
Matplotlib resolves rc files through an ordered lookup from cwd through env to per-OS homes. Cache follows its own function with env override. Lookup functions report live paths.
Linux splits config and cache homes while Windows merges. macOS keeps a dot folder legacy. Keep the rc file; drop the cache.
Where Matplotlib stores this, by platform
~/.config/matplotlib/matplotlibrc
Ordered rc lookup from cwd through env to XDG home. Cache split under cache home. Functions report live paths. Env redirects both.
~/.matplotlib/matplotlibrc
Same lookup with dot folder legacy plus shared cache beneath.
%LocalAppData%\matplotlib\matplotlibrc
Same lookup merged under LocalAppData for config plus cache.
Frequently asked questions
How do I back up Matplotlib?
Copy the rc file matching the running lookup with Python idle. Cache rebuilds on demand. Restoring means putting the rc back before importing.
How do I relocate config or cache?
Env vars redirect both config and cache roots. Linux splits homes while Windows merges them. Query the live functions instead of guessing paths.
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