Where Does Raycast Store Settings and Data?
How Raycast settings and extensions are stored on Mac, and the encrypted export that replaces manual backup.
Last updated
Raycast manages its settings inside the app (Settings via Cmd+,) rather than in a documented text file. Appearance, hotkeys, AI options and per extension preferences all live in app managed storage under its Application Support area, which is not meant for hand editing.
The supported backup is Export Settings and Data, producing an encrypted .rayconfig bundle with chats, clipboard history, quicklinks, snippets, notes, MCP servers and extensions. Store extensions update themselves in the background while sideloaded ones do not, which explains most why did my extension stop updating questions. Windows support remains beta, with no stable file path to print.
Where Raycast stores this, by platform
~/Library/Application Support/com.raycast.macos/
Undocumented on disk layout; treat it as convention, not contract. Extension state lives in a local encrypted store. Use the in app Export Settings and Data command (.rayconfig bundle, needs an 8+ character passphrase) for backup or moving to a new Mac.
Frequently asked questions
How do I back up or migrate Raycast to a new Mac?
Run the Export Settings and Data command inside Raycast. It writes an encrypted .rayconfig file (pick a strong passphrase) covering settings, extensions, snippets, notes and chats. Import that file on the new Mac.
Why did my sideloaded extension stop updating?
Store extensions auto update in the background; manually imported ones do not. Reimport the newer version yourself, or switch to the Store listing if one exists for that extension.
Notice an outdated path? Let us know.