Where Does Meilisearch Store Its Database?
Meilisearch data.ms database directory plus dumps and snapshots on Linux.
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Meilisearch keeps indexes, settings and API keys in a data.ms directory next to the binary, or wherever --db-path points. Dumps export the full state for versioned backups while snapshots capture raw files.
Keys live inside the database, so losing data.ms loses admin access definitions too. Back up dumps on schedule, not just the raw directory.
Where Meilisearch stores this, by platform
./data.ms
Default database directory with indexes, documents and keys. Override with --db-path or the matching env var. Docker setups bind it to a host folder or volume. Create dumps through the API for portable backups; raw copies need the server stopped.
Frequently asked questions
How do I back up Meilisearch?
Trigger a dump through the API and archive the resulting file. Raw data.ms copies only restore cleanly when the server is stopped.
Where is the Meilisearch master key?
Set at startup via env or config, then stored inside data.ms above. Losing both means rebuilding indexes from source documents.
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