Game folders and files

v52.03 · v0.47.05 This article is about the current version of DF. Note that some content may still need to be updated. More Info · V

Dwarf Fortress's default game folder location depends on the game version, platform or operating system. It is possible that users will change the install drive or directory, thus these locations may vary.

Non-portable (AppData) game folders were added in version 52.01.

Game folder

The game's installation folder is where all the game's content is stored. You might want to go to this folder to browse raw files, or to check logs.

• Dwarf Fortress Classic is distributed in a zip archive. Depending on the operating system, the game folder is either df_##_##_win (with the version number, or the name chosen for the folder during extraction), df_osx or df_linux and will be located where you choose to extract it. Essentially its where you run the game from. For example: C:\Games\Dwarf Fortress\
• Steam: The default locations are listed below. You can also find it through the app by right-clicking "Dwarf Fortress" in your Steam library and choosing Properties, then go to the Local files tab and click Browse local files. If you install the game to a custom Steam library, it will end up there instead.
  • Windows: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Dwarf Fortress\
  • Linux: ~/.steam/debian-installation/steamapps/common/Dwarf Fortress
• Itch.io: The default location is %APPDATA%\itch\apps\Dwarf Fortress\^[Verify]

Note: On Windows, %APPDATA% is an environment variable that points to C:\Users\(Username)\AppData\Roaming. You can use winkey+R and type '%appdata%' to quickly jump there.

Savegame folder

Further information: Saved game folder

The savegame folder contains the saved games, and backup saves from the game. The location of this depends on the settings, defaulting to non-portable^v52.01. Adding portable.txt to \(gamefolder)\prefs\ (or setting the corresponding option in-game) makes the game save files to the installation directory.

• Non-Portable:
  • Windows: C:\Users\(Your username)\AppData\Roaming\Bay 12 Games\Dwarf Fortress\save
  • Linux: /home/(Your username)/.local/share/Bay 12 Games/Dwarf Fortress/save.
• Portable:
  • The folder is located within the Dwarf Fortress gamefolder (gamefolder)\save\.

Mod folder

Further information: Modding

The mod folders are where mods are stored, in the same game directory as the saves folder.

• Non-portable (Windows):
  • C:\Users\(Your username)\AppData\Roaming\Bay 12 Games\Dwarf Fortress\mods
  • C:\Users\(Your username)\AppData\Roaming\Bay 12 Games\Dwarf Fortress\data\installed_mods
• Non-portable (Linux):
  • ~/.local/share/Bay 12 Games/Dwarf Fortress/mods
  • ~/.local/share/Bay 12 Games/Dwarf Fortress/data/installed_mods
• Portable:
  • (gamefolder)\mods\
  • (gamefolder)\data\installed_mods\

Key

Dwarf Fortress	: Game folder
● data	: Contains game content.
● art	: Any images not loaded from vanilla graphics modules, primarily for the main menu.
● init	: Default versions of the settings.
● installed_mods	: Folder of mod copies used when loading a world.
● sound	: Contains all audio and music files used in the game.
● vanilla	: Contains all the vanilla modules and raw files.
● mods	: Folder for mods before being loaded.
● mod_upload	: Folder for uploading mods to Steam.
● prefs	: Contains all game setting files.
● save	: Contains all save game files.

V · T · E Files
Settings	colors.txt • init.txt • interface.txt
Gameplay settings	announcements.txt • d_init.txt
Log files	errorlog.txt • gamelog.txt
Other	arena.txt • embark_profiles.txt • world_gen.txt