Where Is the ncmpcpp Config File?
Where ncmpcpp keeps its config and how it pairs with MPD state on Linux.
Last updated
ncmpcpp is an MPD client, so config splits: client UI in ~/.config/ncmpcpp/config and music state in MPD's own dirs. Legacy ~/.ncmpcpp/config still works on old setups.
Point the client at the daemon first (host, port, password when set), then theme. Playlists, database, and sticker files belong to MPD regardless of which client edits them. Keep both halves in backups.
Where ncmpcpp stores this, by platform
~/.config/ncmpcpp/config
Client config plus bindings; music state in MPD dirs (~/.local/share/mpd). Legacy ~/.ncmpcpp/config pre-XDG still seen on old installs.
Frequently asked questions
How do I configure ncmpcpp?
Create ~/.config/ncmpcpp/config with mpd_host, mpd_port, and UI bindings, plus a bindings file for custom keys. Lyrics and visualizer plugins read sibling paths. ncmpcpp never touches audio files; all library state stays in MPD.
Where are playlists: ncmpcpp or MPD?
Playlists live in the MPD playlist dir (~/.local/share/mpd/playlists by default), not in ncmpcpp config. ncmpcpp edits them remotely over the MPD protocol. Back up both configs to preserve the full setup.
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