# Configure the IDE

Last modified: 18 March 2026

In RubyMine, you can configure the settings on two levels: the [project](/content/help/ruby/configure-project-settings.html) level and globally.

Global settings apply to all projects that you open with a specific installation or version of RubyMine. Such settings include IDE appearance (themes, color schemes, menus, and toolbars), notification settings, the set of installed and enabled plugins, debugger settings, code completion, and so on. Global settings are stored in the [configuration directory](/content/help/ruby/directories-used-by-the-ide-to-store-settings-caches-plugins-and-logs.html#config-directory/index.html).

[Project settings](/content/help/ruby/configure-project-settings.html) apply to the current project only unless you configure them as [default settings for new projects](/content/help/ruby/configure-project-settings.html#new-default-settings/index.html). Such settings include VCS configuration, code style options, the list of language inspections, and so on.

To configure your IDE, select RubyMine \| Settings for macOS or File \| Settings for Windows and Linux. Alternatively, press `Ctrl`  `Alt`  `0S` or click  on the toolbar.

Settings that are NOT marked with the  icon in the Settings dialog are global and apply to all existing projects of the current RubyMine version.

## Restore IDE settings

When you restore the default IDE settings, RubyMine backs up your configuration to another directory. You can always restore your settings from that backup.

### Back up your settings and restore the defaults

1. Go to File \| Manage IDE Settings \| Restore Default Settings.

Alternatively, press `Shift` twice and type `Restore default settings`.

2. Click Restore and Restart. The IDE will be restarted with the default configuration.

When RubyMine restores the default IDE settings, it creates a backup directory with your configuration in:

### Windows

Syntax

%APPDATA%\\JetBrains\\<product><version>-backup

Example

C:\\Users\\JohnS\\AppData\\Roaming\\JetBrains\\RubyMine2026.1-backup

### macOS

Syntax

~/Library/Application Support/JetBrains/<product><version>-backup

Example

~/Library/Application Support/JetBrains/RubyMine2026.1-backup

### Linux

Syntax

~/.config/JetBrains/<product><version>-backup

Example

~/.config/JetBrains/RubyMine2026.1-backup

### Apply the IDE settings from a backup

1. In the main menu, go to File \| Manage IDE Settings \| Import Settings.

2. In the dialog that opens, specify the [path](/content/help/ruby/configuring-project-and-ide-settings.html#backup-dir/index.html) to the backup directory and click Open.

RubyMine shows a confirmation popup. Note that after you apply the settings from the backup, these settings will be overwritten with your current IDE configuration.

Apart from the backup configuration directory, you can select the configuration directory from another RubyMine version or a .zip file with the previously [exported settings](/content/help/ruby/sharing-your-ide-settings.html#import-export-settings/index.html).

3. Click Restart to apply the settings from the backup and restart the IDE.