Where Does NodeBB Store Uploads and Config?
NodeBB upload folder and config.json paths for manual and Docker installs on Linux forum server hosts.
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NodeBB keeps forum uploads on disk and everything else in a database. Uploaded images and avatars live in public/uploads inside the install root, commonly /opt/nodebb. That folder is the bulk of disk growth on image heavy forums.
Connection settings live in config.json in the same root with database host and secrets. Docker installs map the same pair through volumes. Back up uploads, the config file, and a database dump together. The config decides which database the uploads belong to. Back up all three parts for every move.
Where NodeBB stores this, by platform
/opt/nodebb/public/uploads
Image and avatar root with files and profile subfolders. Serve with web user ownership. Copy whole tree with the database for migration.
/opt/nodebb/config.json
Database host, password, and port for Redis, Mongo, or Postgres. Restrict read access since it holds secrets. Keep with uploads and dumps.
Frequently asked questions
what do i back up for a NodeBB move
Copy public/uploads with config.json and a database dump for Redis, Mongo, or Postgres. Uploads hold images and avatars. The database links them to posts. One without the other leaves broken embeds.
how do i tell which database my NodeBB uses
Open config.json in the NodeBB root to read the database block. It holds host, password, and which database is active. Uploads stay in public/uploads regardless of database choice.
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