Where Does darktable Store Its Library?
darktable library.db and config folders on Windows, macOS and Linux, including the sidecar XMP story.
Last updated
darktable tracks everything in a library.db SQLite file inside its config folder, with data.db for presets and styles. Edits can additionally mirror to XMP sidecars.
Sidecars are the safety net. A lost library.db hurts far less when every RAW carries its own edit history next to it.
Where darktable stores this, by platform
%LOCALAPPDATA%\darktable
Holds library.db, data.db and darktablerc. Close darktable before copying. Enable XMP sidecars in settings for per-file edit backups.
~/.config/darktable
Same filenames. Use Go to Folder in Finder.
~/.config/darktable
Standard XDG location. Same library.db plus sidecar logic as other platforms.
Frequently asked questions
How do I move my darktable library?
Copy library.db (and data.db) with darktable closed. Edits also live in XMP sidecars next to your RAWs when that option is on, which is the more portable backup of the two.
Notice an outdated path? Let us know.