What is the config file?

The config file stores all the information rclone needs to connect to your cloud services.

What's inside?

This is why rclone is so easy to use:

[my-google-drive]
type = drive
client_id = 123456789.apps.googleusercontent.com
client_secret = GOCSPX-secretkey
token = {"access_token":"ya29...","expiry":"2024-01-01T12:00:00"}

[my-dropbox]
type = dropbox
token = {"access_token":"sl.12345..."}

[encrypted-backup]
type = crypt
remote = my-google-drive:encrypted
password = hashed_password_here
password2 = salt_here

What each part means

Remote Names (the headers)

[my-google-drive]  # This is what you'll type in commands
[backup]           # Another remote
[work-files]       # And another

These are like nicknames for your cloud accounts. You choose them!

Configuration Keys

Each remote has settings:

type: Which cloud service (drive, dropbox, s3, etc.)
token: Your authentication credentials
client_id/secret: App credentials for OAuth
Other service-specific settings

See them all in the full documentation for each backend (cloud storage provider), such as for Backblaze B2.

Common tasks

Create a Config

When you run rclone config for the first time:

Rclone creates the config file
Guides you through adding remotes
Saves everything securely

You can also create it manually:

# Create with text editor
nano ~/.config/rclone/rclone.conf

# Or copy from another machine
cp /path/to/backup/rclone.conf ~/.config/rclone/

View Your Config

# Show all configured remotes
rclone listremotes

# Show config for specific remote
rclone config show my-google-drive

# Show config file location
rclone config file

Backup Your Config

# Simple backup
cp ~/.config/rclone/rclone.conf ~/rclone-backup.conf

# Encrypted backup
rclone config show > config.txt
# Then encrypt config.txt with gpg or similar

# On computer A:
rclone config file  # Note the location
# Copy that file to computer B

# On computer B:
# Place file in same location
# Or use --config flag

Switch Config Files

# Use different configs for different purposes
rclone --config work.conf listremotes
rclone --config personal.conf listremotes

⚠️ Careful

Your config file has access tokens that could let anyone read and modify your data.

Protect it like you'd protect your passwords!

What is the config file?

On this page