Where Does PyCharm Store Settings and Caches?
PyCharm splits user data into a config directory for settings, a system directory for caches, and a separate default projects folder.
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Config holds keymaps, color schemes, VM options, and platform properties. System holds caches, indexes, and local history. Both include the version in the folder name, so each major release gets fresh system data.
Projects default to a PycharmProjects folder in the home directory unless changed in Settings, Appearance and Behavior, System Settings, Default project directory. Per project settings live in <project>/.idea as xml files.
Where PyCharm stores this, by platform
%APPDATA%\JetBrains\PyCharm%VERSION%
Config example: C:\Users\<user>\AppData\Roaming\JetBrains\PyCharm2026.2. %VERSION% is like 2026.2. Professional uses PyCharm%VERSION%, Community uses PyCharmCE%VERSION%. Change with idea.config.path in idea.properties.
%LOCALAPPDATA%\JetBrains\PyCharm%VERSION%
System (caches) example: C:\Users\<user>\AppData\Local\JetBrains\PyCharm2026.2. Change with idea.system.path. Logs under log subdirectory, viewable via Help, Show Log in Explorer.
%USERPROFILE%\PycharmProjects
Default projects location. Suggested when creating or opening a project. Change in Settings, Appearance and Behavior, System Settings, Default project directory.
~/Library/Application Support/JetBrains/PyCharm%VERSION%
Config example: ~/Library/Application Support/JetBrains/PyCharm2026.2. Same PyCharm versus PyCharmCE versioning rule. Plugins default under config/plugins unless idea.plugins.path is set.
~/Library/Caches/JetBrains/PyCharm%VERSION%
System (caches) example: ~/Library/Caches/JetBrains/PyCharm2026.2. Logs are under ~/Library/Logs/JetBrains/PyCharm%VERSION% unless idea.log.path is set. Safe to delete system folder to clear indexes.
~/PycharmProjects
Default projects location on macOS. Case appears as PycharmProjects in a fresh install. Same Settings field controls it.
~/.config/JetBrains/PyCharm%VERSION%
Config example: ~/.config/JetBrains/PyCharm2026.2. Same Professional versus Community naming rule. Change with idea.config.path using forward slashes.
~/.cache/JetBrains/PyCharm%VERSION%
System (caches) example: ~/.cache/JetBrains/PyCharm2026.2. Logs under system/log unless idea.log.path is set. Old version caches auto delete after 180 days without use.
~/PycharmProjects
Default projects location on Linux. Same Settings field controls it. Project specific choice is stored per project in .idea.
Frequently asked questions
How do I move PyCharm config or cache to another disk?
Use Help, Edit Custom Properties to create idea.properties, set idea.config.path, idea.system.path, idea.plugins.path, or idea.log.path with forward slashes, then restart. The IDE will use the new locations on next launch.
What is the difference between PyCharm and PyCharmCE folders?
PyCharm%VERSION% is PyCharm Professional and PyCharmCE%VERSION% is PyCharm Community. Each has its own config and system folders, so settings do not transfer automatically between editions.
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