Where Does Shaarli Store Links and Config?
Shaarli stores config and links as PHP data files in its data folder. Back up config plus datastore together.
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Shaarli is flat file by design with no database server. A data folder beside the install holds config as a PHP guarded json file plus the link datastore, ban list, and tokens. Every write goes through those files.
Docker installs mount the data folder from the host, keeping upgrades to image swaps. The login salt and tokens live in the same tree, so the folder backup covers credentials too. Keep web server writes limited to that folder. Plugin assets and thumbnail caches extend the same tree as features grow.
Where Shaarli stores this, by platform
/var/www/shaarli/data/config.json.php
Instance config guarded as PHP. Holds title, theme, tokens, and plugin toggles. Lives beside the datastore.
/var/www/shaarli/data/datastore.php
Links database in serialized PHP. The file the export tool dumps. Never hand edit while the app runs.
Frequently asked questions
How do I move Shaarli servers?
Archive the whole data folder with the app stopped. Config, links, and tokens restore as one unit on any PHP host.
Can I export from the web UI?
Yes, through the admin tools page. It exports the same datastore the app reads, so scheduled exports double as backups.
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