Where Does PhpStorm Store Settings and Interpreters?
PhpStorm keeps settings in ~/.config/JetBrains/PhpStorm<version> on Linux (Preferences on Mac, AppData Roaming on Windows) with PHP interpreters, Composer, and servers inside.
Last updated
PhpStorm follows JetBrains conventions with versioned config folders per platform. Settings, keymaps, plugins, interpreter definitions, and deployment servers live together. Caches sit beside config, safe to delete.
PHP specifics revolve around interpreter paths that differ per machine. Composer, PHPUnit, and quality tools reference those interpreters, so one broken path cascades. Re validate the toolchain after every migration.
Where PhpStorm stores this, by platform
~/.config/JetBrains/PhpStorm2024.3
Settings plus interpreters, Composer, and servers together. Versioned folders coexist. Export from IDE for safer moves.
~/Library/Application Support/JetBrains/PhpStorm2024.3
Preferences tree mirrors Linux config. Caches live beside it. Re point interpreters after moves.
%APPDATA%\JetBrains\PhpStorm2024.3
Roaming tree holds the same settings on Windows. Copy with IDE closed. WSL paths need revalidation.
Frequently asked questions
How do I back up PhpStorm settings?
Copy the versioned config folder with PhpStorm closed, since interpreters plus deployment servers travel together. Absolute PHP paths break on moves, so re point them after. Export settings from the IDE for safer transfers.
Where are PhpStorm PHP interpreters?
Define CLI interpreters per project or globally in settings, with Composer and test frameworks beside them. Docker and WSL interpreters add deployment mappings. Validate each after machine changes.
Notice an outdated path? Let us know.