Where Does PyCharm Store Settings and Interpreters?
PyCharm splits config, plugins, caches and logs across versioned JetBrains folders. Paths on Windows, macOS and Linux.
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PyCharm follows the standard JetBrains layout with versioned folders like PyCharm2026.2. Keymaps, color schemes and custom VM options live in config, plugins inside it, while indexes and caches occupy a separate system folder with logs beside them.
Project interpreters are a different layer: each project records its SDK in its own .idea folder, not the global config. Copying config XMLs (keymaps, colors) between machines works with the IDE closed. Wipe only the system folder to fix broken indexes; settings survive untouched.
Where PyCharm stores this, by platform
%APPDATA%\JetBrains\PyCharm2026.2
Config and plugins. System caches and logs under %LOCALAPPDATA%\JetBrains\PyCharm2026.2. Match the version number to your installed release.
~/Library/Application Support/JetBrains/PyCharm2026.2
Config and plugins here, caches in ~/Library/Caches/JetBrains, logs in ~/Library/Logs/JetBrains. Relocate any root via idea.config.path properties.
~/.config/JetBrains/PyCharm2026.2
Config here, plugins under ~/.local/share/JetBrains, caches under ~/.cache/JetBrains. Old releases prune their caches automatically after 180 idle days.
Frequently asked questions
How do I move PyCharm settings to a new computer?
Copy the config folder's XMLs (keymaps, colors, templates) with PyCharm closed on both ends, or use File > Manage IDE Settings > Export. Reinstall plugins from the marketplace rather than copying them.
Where is my PyCharm project's interpreter recorded?
In the project's own .idea folder, not the global config above. That is why fresh checkouts ask for an interpreter. Commit run configurations you share, keep interpreter paths local.
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