Config File Locator

Find configuration file locations

Find common configuration file locations, precedence rules, and commands for developer tools.

Git config file locations

Commands use a POSIX shell (macOS, Linux, or WSL). Install the named editor or CLI first. Before using an environment-variable path, check that the variable is set to a non-empty, intended path. When using vi or Notepad, ensure the parent directory exists and is writable. A missing file is created when you save it; Notepad may ask to create it.

Higher-priority files override the same setting in lower-priority files.

  1. Local level

    Highest priority

    Applies only to one Git repository. Run commands from inside that repository.

    Config file location
    <repository>/.git/config
    Commands
    git config --local --edit

  2. Global level

    Second priority

    Applies to your user account.

    Config file location
    ~/.gitconfig
    $XDG_CONFIG_HOME/git/config
    Git also reads this user-specific file when present.
    Commands
    git config --global --edit

  3. System level

    Third priority

    Applies to every user on this Git installation.

    Config file location
    $(prefix)/etc/gitconfig
    Commands
    git config --system --edit
Inspect configuration
git config --list --show-origin --show-scope
Official Git documentation

Other supported tools