Where does IntelliJ IDEA store shelf changes on the local drive?

Question

I want to write a small backup script that would take my shelf changes in IntelliJ from my local drive and put them on a network drive. But I can't locate the path to where these are stored on my local drive.

Any ideas?

Guanabara

Slightly different issue, but if Google took you here because you can't find your Shelf tab, check out my answer here: https://mcmap.net/q/75175/-how-to-restore-shelved-changes-in-intellij-when-the-shelf-tab-is-not-shown – Gallivant

Answer 1

For me it's $user.home/.IntelliJIdea90/config/shelf

I'm not sure if that changes on OSX or not. It seems like it might be different, but once you find the .IntelliJIdea90 directory, it's in /config/shelf.

Update for comment Here is my .IntelliJIdea80/config/shelf directory after shelving some changes in 8.1.3:

skrall@skralldesktop:~/.IntelliJIdea80/config/shelf$ ls
AnotherTestOfshelving.patch
skrall@skralldesktop:~/.IntelliJIdea80/config/shelf$ 

I'll startup my Windows VM and see if it's the same place on Windows.

Update With Windows

Same place. This is Vista, so it's C:\Users\skrall\.IntelliJ90\config\shelf Can you search your local hard drive for a directory named shelf? Or, if that doesn't work, search for *.patch

Illaudable

NOPE - I use WIndows XP and IntelliJIdea80 folder in my user's folder doesn't have a config/shelf subfolder. I do have there code changes shelf so it must be stored somewhere, right? – Guanabara

I loaded up my version of 8.1.3. It's in config/shelf for me. – Illaudable

I don't have that path at all. Is there any way to check in IntelliJ what that path is defined as? – Guanabara

Downloading IntelliJ for Windows. I'll let you know once it's done. – Illaudable

Updated information for Windows. Basically the same, not sure what could be going on... – Illaudable

I'm using CVS for my version control... I wonder if that makes a difference... I wouldn't think so, but I guess it's possible – Illaudable

On Mac OS X, these are in ~/Library/Preferences/IntelliJIdea90/shelf – Tarsier

In Intellij 14, they are stored within your project under $PROJECT_HOME/.idea/shelf – Venturesome

I seems to have changed - I see some old shelves in my old idea folders: $HOME/.IntelliJIdea15/config/shelf/ (already v. 15 but probably from EAP times), but all new ones are in $PROJECT_HOME/.idea/shelf. – Supersonics

Answer 2

Instead of giving the fish, here is how to fish:

1. Find an action item: ⌘ +Shift+A (on a Mac) or Ctrl +Shift+A (on Windows/Linux)
2. Type "change shelve"
3. Check the location where it is being stored

Cuprite

Answer 3

IntelliJ IDEA 15 on linux, shelved changes seem to be stored as individual files in the project directory, under the .shelf directory.

Coppice

Also applies to Intellij 16 on Windows – Protuberancy

Answer 4

Idea can also store shelved changes in <projectFolder>/.idea/shelf/ directory. Try to check this option.

Episodic

This is perfect answer for windows machines! – Stahl

True for Macos too! – Puckett

Answer 5

For IntelliJ 10 on mac, for me its in ~/Library/Preferences/IntelliJIdea10/Shelf

Gyrostabilizer

Now changed to ~/Library/Preferences/IdeaIC11/shelf – Linebacker

Answer 6

IntelliJ IDEA 12 on Mac, stores them in ~/Library/Preferences/IntelliJIdea12/shelf/*.patch

Marylnmarylou

Answer 7

IntelliJ IDEA 12 on Windows7, default location

%UserHome%\.IdeaIC12\config\shelf\*.patch

i.e. _IDE_config_folder_\shelf\*.patch

Note non default IDE config folder location can be looked up in _IDEA_HOME_\bin\idea.properties idea.config.path=${user.home}/.IdeaIC/config

France