Where Is the Octave Config File?
Octave startup and config files with .octaverc and the XDG octave directory on Linux.
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Octave reads startup commands from .octaverc files, first in your home directory then in the current folder, while GUI preferences live in the XDG config tree. History and the workspace sit nearby.
Version upgrades migrate the config directory automatically. Keep .octaverc in version control and the GUI prefs become disposable.
Where Octave stores this, by platform
~/.config/octave
Holds GUI preferences and the command history file. Startup commands belong in ~/.octaverc in your home directory, which Octave reads before any local ./.octaverc. Copy both to migrate your environment.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I put Octave startup commands?
In ~/.octaverc for global commands or ./.octaverc per project. Commands there run before every session starts.
How do I reset the Octave GUI layout?
Close Octave and remove the config folder above. Stock layout regenerates on next launch while .octaverc stays untouched.
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