Where Does rqlite Store Node Data?
rqlite stores everything in the data directory passed to rqlited: db.sqlite plus raft state and snapshots.
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rqlite has no config file and no default data path. The one required argument to rqlited is the node data directory. Inside it live db.sqlite (the actual SQLite file), raft.db (the consensus log), the raft peers files, and snapshot dirs. Flags only adjust network addresses around that directory.
Each node needs its own directory, and each directory belongs to exactly one node. Sharing one path between nodes corrupts the Raft log. For moves, stop the node, copy the tree, and start it at the new path with the same node ID.
Where rqlite stores this, by platform
<data-dir>
Positional argument to rqlited, created on first start. Contains db.sqlite, raft.db, raft peers files, and snapshot dirs. One directory per node.
Frequently asked questions
How do I back up an rqlite node?
Copy the whole data directory while the node is stopped. It holds db.sqlite, raft.db, and snapshots together, and splitting them breaks restores.
How do I recover a cluster without quorum?
Create peers.json inside the raft subdirectory of the data dir with the surviving node IDs and addresses. The file becomes peers.info after recovery runs.
Is there a default data directory?
No. The data directory is a required positional argument and rqlite refuses to start without it. Flags only tune addresses and timeouts around it.
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