How to Source AutoKey Settings on a New Computer

Updated

"Sourcing" AutoKey settings on a new computer means copying your existing AutoKey configuration — phrases, scripts, and global settings — from the old machine into the location AutoKey reads on the new one, then pointing AutoKey at that data. The AutoKey 0.96.0 documentation lists "How to 'source' settings on a new computer?" as a core introductory topic, but the page excerpt available here does not include the step-by-step procedure or the exact storage paths. The steps below reflect the general approach for transferring a desktop application's user data; verify the precise folder names against the documentation or your installed version before relying on them.

What "sourcing" involves

AutoKey stores your user data (abbreviations/phrases, scripts, and settings) in a user configuration directory, separate from the application itself. Sourcing on a new computer therefore has two parts:

  1. Copy the configuration directory from the old machine.
  2. Place it where the new installation expects it, so AutoKey loads it on startup.

Because the documentation excerpt does not state the exact directory, treat the location as something to confirm rather than assume. A practical way to find it: on the old machine, check AutoKey's settings/preferences for a stated data or configuration folder, or search your home directory for a folder named after AutoKey.

Step-by-step transfer

1. Locate the configuration on the old computer

  • Open AutoKey's settings or preferences and look for the configuration/data folder path.
  • If none is shown, search your home directory for an AutoKey-named folder (commonly under a hidden configuration directory in your home folder).
  • Note the full path before copying.

2. Copy the folder

  • Close AutoKey on the old machine first so files aren't mid-write.
  • Copy the entire configuration folder to removable media or a network location. Copy the whole folder rather than individual files, so phrases, scripts, and settings stay together.

3. Install AutoKey on the new computer

  • Install AutoKey 0.96.0 (or your matching version) first, then launch it once so it creates its default configuration location. This gives you a known target path.

4. Replace or merge the configuration

  • Close AutoKey on the new machine.
  • Put the copied folder where the new installation reads its configuration. If a default folder already exists, either replace it or merge the contents — merging preserves any new-machine defaults while adding your old data.
  • Reopen AutoKey.

5. Verify

  • Check that your phrases/abbreviations appear and that a test abbreviation expands correctly.
  • Open a script you rely on and confirm it is present.
  • Confirm global settings (hotkeys, send mode) match what you expect.

Common snags

Situation What to check
Phrases missing after transfer Folder placed in the wrong location, or only part of the folder copied
Scripts fail to run Scripts may reference paths or resources that don't exist on the new machine
Hotkeys don't trigger Global hotkey settings may conflict with the new desktop environment
Version mismatch Settings from a different AutoKey version may not load cleanly; match versions where possible

Keeping settings consistent across computers

  • Keep a single master copy of the configuration folder and update it deliberately, rather than editing on both machines independently.
  • After any major change on one machine, re-copy the folder to the other to avoid drift.
  • Note that scripts depending on absolute paths or installed programs will need those dependencies present on each machine.

For the exact folder names and any version-specific instructions, consult the "How to 'source' settings on a new computer?" section of the AutoKey 0.96.0 documentation directly, since the available excerpt does not reproduce those details.