Config File Locator

VS Code 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.

For ordinary non-language-specific settings in a single-folder workspace, workspace settings override user settings. These paths are for desktop VS Code Stable with the default profile and data directory. Profiles, Remote, Insiders, Portable, custom data directories, and multi-root workspaces are outside this page's scope.

  1. Workspace level

    Workspace overrides

    Applies only to the folder opened as your workspace. Run commands from that workspace folder.

    Config file location
    <project>/.vscode/settings.json
    Some application-wide settings cannot be overridden at workspace level.
    Commands
    vi "./.vscode/settings.json"

  2. User level

    User defaults

    Applies across workspaces using the default profile.

    Config file location
    ~/.config/Code/User/settings.json
    If the file does not exist yet, use Preferences: Open User Settings (JSON) from the VS Code Command Palette.
    Commands
    vi "$HOME/.config/Code/User/settings.json"
Official VS Code documentation