Where Does MySQL Workbench Store Connections and Settings?
Workbench keeps connections.xml and settings in ~/.mysql/workbench on Linux and AppData on Windows.
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MySQL Workbench stores connection definitions in connections.xml with server instances, snippets, and UI state beside it. Linux builds use ~/.mysql/workbench, Windows uses AppData Roaming MySQL Workbench, macOS uses Application Support MySQL Workbench.
Passwords live in the OS keychain or vault, not beside the XML. Copying connections moves everything except secrets. Export connections from the manager too as a readable spare for team sharing.
Where MySQL Workbench stores this, by platform
C:\Users\[You]\AppData\Roaming\MySQL\Workbench
connections.xml plus snippets and state. Copy with Workbench closed. Passwords come from Windows Credential Manager separately.
~/Library/Application Support/MySQL/Workbench
Same layout. Keychain holds passwords. Manager export covers cross platform moves cleanly.
~/.mysql/workbench
connections.xml and server_instances.xml plus snippets. Fix ownership after copies. Vault or keyring supplies passwords.
Frequently asked questions
How do I move Workbench connections?
Copy the per OS folder above or import a manager export. Re-enter passwords from the vault on the new machine and test each connection once.
Where are Workbench SQL snippets?
Beside connections.xml in the same per OS tree. Copy the folder whole to keep snippets, models history, and UI layout together.
Notice an outdated path? Let us know.