Where Does draw.io Desktop Store Local and Session Data on macOS and Windows

draw.io Desktop stores local application data in platform-specific appData directories (~/Library/Application Support/draw.io on macOS and %APPDATA%\draw.io on Windows), while session data including cookies, cache, and configuration resides in the Electron userData folder under draw.io-desktop subdirectories.

draw.io Desktop, the offline Electron-based diagramming tool from the jgraph/drawio-desktop repository, manages persistent storage across two distinct filesystem locations. Understanding where the application writes its plugins, backups, settings, and temporary session files is essential for troubleshooting, privacy audits, or migrating configurations between machines.

Local Application Data Storage

draw.io Desktop creates a dedicated folder for persistent local files using Electron's app.getPath('appData') API. This location stores plugins, automatic backups, and other application-specific files that persist between sessions.

macOS Location

On macOS, the application constructs its data folder inside the system Application Support directory. According to src/main/electron.js, the getAppDataFolder() function (lines 2418-2431) resolves this path by joining app.getPath('appData') with the string "draw.io".

~/Library/Application Support/draw.io

This directory contains the plugins subdirectory and any .bkp backup files generated during autosave operations.

Windows Location

On Windows, the same function resolves to the Roaming AppData directory, creating a draw.io folder within the user's application data path.

%APPDATA%\draw.io

Session Data and User Configuration

While the appData folder handles plugins and backups, session-specific information—including cookies, HTTP cache, localStorage, and the electron-store JSON configuration—resides in a separate location. Electron automatically manages this data under the userData path, using the application's name (draw.io-desktop) as defined in package.json.

• macOS: ~/Library/Application Support/draw.io-desktop
• Windows: %APPDATA%\draw.io-desktop

Unlike the explicit path construction in getAppDataFolder(), this location is determined automatically by the Electron framework. The src/main/electron-preload.js file accesses this storage indirectly through the electron-store module, which defaults to writing its configuration files inside the userData directory.

Documents Folder for File Operations

For native "Open" and "Save As" dialogs, draw.io Desktop uses the standard Documents folder. The getDocumentsFolder() function (lines 3738-3745 in src/main/electron.js) returns app.getPath('documents'), falling back to the current working directory if the system call fails.

• macOS: ~/Documents
• Windows: C:\Users\<User>\Documents

How to Access These Paths Programmatically

The storage path logic is implemented in src/main/electron.js using Electron's path resolution APIs:

// Lines 2418-2431: Resolves to %APPDATA%\draw.io or ~/Library/Application Support/draw.io
function getAppDataFolder() {
  const appDataPath = app.getPath('appData'); // Line 2422
  const drawIoFolder = path.join(appDataPath, 'draw.io');
  // Directory creation logic ensures the folder exists
  return drawIoFolder;
}

// Lines 3738-3745: Resolves to the user's Documents folder
function getDocumentsFolder() {
  try {
    return app.getPath('documents'); // Line 2442
  } catch (e) {
    return '.';
  }
}

To verify these locations in a running instance, you can inspect the paths via Electron's main process:

const { app } = require('electron');
const path = require('path');

// Local plugins and backups
console.log('AppData:', path.join(app.getPath('appData'), 'draw.io'));

// Session storage and electron-store config
console.log('UserData:', app.getPath('userData'));

// Default save/open location
console.log('Documents:', app.getPath('documents'));

Summary

• Local data (draw.io folder): Stores plugins and backup files at ~/Library/Application Support/draw.io (macOS) or %APPDATA%\draw.io (Windows), explicitly constructed by getAppDataFolder() in src/main/electron.js.
• Session data (draw.io-desktop folder): Contains cookies, cache, localStorage, and electron-store configuration, automatically managed by Electron in the userData path.
• Documents folder: Used for native file dialogs, resolved via getDocumentsFolder() at lines 3738-3745.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change where draw.io Desktop stores its data?

No, the storage locations are hardcoded relative to Electron's standard directories. The application uses app.getPath() APIs in src/main/electron.js which follow OS-specific conventions. Relocating these folders requires modifying the source code and rebuilding the application.

Is it safe to delete the draw.io-desktop userData folder?

Yes, but you will lose session data including login cookies, cached resources, and settings stored via electron-store. The application will recreate the folder on next launch with default configurations. Your actual diagram files stored in Documents or other custom locations remain unaffected.

Where are draw.io plugins stored on macOS?

Plugins are stored in the plugins subdirectory within the local app data folder, specifically at ~/Library/Application Support/draw.io/plugins. This path is derived from the getAppDataFolder() function which appends /draw.io to the system's Application Support directory (line 2422 in src/main/electron.js).

How do I back up my draw.io Desktop configuration?

Back up both the draw.io folder (for plugins and backups) and the draw.io-desktop folder (for settings and preferences) from your platform's Application Support directory. The latter contains the electron-store configuration files that persist your application preferences between launches.

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "instagit": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "instagit@latest"]
    }
  }
}