Where Does MongooseIM Store Config and Data?
MongooseIM keeps TOML config in /etc/mongooseim on Linux, Mnesia data in /var/lib and logs in /var/log, with Docker persisting the data dir.
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MongooseIM follows Linux filesystem conventions without shortcuts. Config lives in /etc, data in /var/lib with Mnesia table files, locks and status, logs in /var/log with Erlang companions. Each layer has its own directory and its own backup story.
Docker keeps the shape by persisting the data directory to the host. The TOML file names outgoing database pools for SQL, Cassandra and Redis when files alone are not enough. Edit config, check logs, persist data, in that order.
Where MongooseIM stores this, by platform
/etc/mongooseim/mongooseim.toml
Main TOML config with runtime and logger companions for system installs. Source builds use the repo files instead. Outgoing database pools for external stores configure here.
/var/lib/mongooseim
Mnesia table files with status, lock and schema companions for the default backend. Persist this tree in Docker. Redis and SQL backends replace it when configured.
/var/log/mongooseim/mongooseim.log
Server log with crash and Erlang companions. Verbosity flows from the general loglevel setting. Check here first after every config change.
Frequently asked questions
Which MongooseIM config file matters?
Edit /etc/mongooseim/mongooseim.toml for server behavior with app.config and vm.args beside it for runtime layers. The quick-start flow checks the log path right after, which catches syntax faults early. External databases configure as outgoing pools in the same TOML.
How do I back up MongooseIM data in Docker?
Persist /var/lib/mongooseim with its Mnesia table files and status directories, mounting it to the host in Docker. Config mounts ride alongside as needed. Redis and SQL backends replace file persistence when configured, so check outgoing pools first.
Where are MongooseIM logs?
Read /var/log/mongooseim/mongooseim.log with crash and Erlang companions beside it. Verbosity configures through the general loglevel plus logger handlers. The quick-setup doc points here immediately after config edits.
Notice an outdated path? Let us know.