Where Does Netdata Store Config and Metrics?
Netdata splits config, metrics, identity and logs across standard system paths. Locations on Linux and Windows, plus backup order.
Last updated
Netdata separates four data types into four places. Agent config lives in the config directory (netdata.conf plus health.d overrides). Metrics database files sit in the cache dir, identity and claim tokens in the lib dir, logs in their own tree. Knowing the split turns backup and migration into a checklist.
Always edit through the edit-config helper inside the config dir so stock files stay pristine. Unsure of your paths? Open http://NODE:19999/netdata.conf and read the config directory setting. Docker and static installs relocate everything, so confirm before scripting around defaults.
Where Netdata stores this, by platform
C:\Program Files\Netdata\etc\netdata
Config with health.d overrides and the edit-config helper, same as Linux. Metrics, identity and logs follow the install prefix rather than Unix paths.
/etc/netdata
netdata.conf and health.d here (or /opt/netdata/etc/netdata on some installs). Metrics in /var/cache/netdata, identity in /var/lib/netdata, logs in /var/log/netdata.
Frequently asked questions
How do I back up a Netdata agent?
Stop the agent, then tar /etc/netdata, /var/cache/netdata and /var/lib/netdata together as root or the netdata user. Config and identity copy live; the metrics database needs the stopped service for a clean snapshot.
Where do I override a Netdata alert?
Copy the stock file from /usr/lib/netdata/conf.d/health.d into /etc/netdata/health.d and edit the copy. Stock files get overwritten on upgrade, your health.d versions survive. Reload the agent to apply.
Notice an outdated path? Let us know.