dconf

GNOME configuration database management tool

TLDR

Read a key value

$ dconf read /[path/to/key]

List subdirectories and keys

$ dconf list /[path/to/directory]/

Write a key value

$ dconf write /[path/to/key] "[value]"

Reset a key to default

$ dconf reset /[path/to/key]

Watch for changes

$ dconf watch /[path/to/key]

Dump directory in INI format

$ dconf dump /[path/to/directory]/

dconf is a low-level configuration system for GNOME and GTK applications. It provides a simple key-value database organized in a hierarchical structure similar to a filesystem, storing settings in a binary format for fast read access.The database uses a path-based key structure (like /org/gnome/desktop/interface/font-name) and values are stored in GVariant format, which supports typed data including strings, integers, booleans, and arrays. Changes written to dconf take effect immediately for running applications that monitor the database.For most users, gsettings provides a higher-level, schema-validated interface. dconf is useful for bulk operations, scripting configuration changes, and backup/restore operations using the dump and load commands. It's particularly valuable for system administrators managing multiple GNOME systems or creating configuration profiles.

PARAMETERS

read key

Read a key value

write key value

Write a key value

reset key

Reset key to default

list dir

List keys and subdirectories

watch path

Watch for changes

dump dir

Dump directory as INI

load dir

Load from INI format

update

Compile system dconf databases from keyfiles in /etc/dconf/db (run as root after editing them)

CONFIGURATION

~/.config/dconf/user

Binary database file storing user configuration values for GNOME and GTK applications.

INSTALL

sudo apt install dconf-cli

sudo dnf install dconf

sudo pacman -S dconf

sudo apk add dconf

sudo zypper install dconf

nix profile install nixpkgs#dconf

CAVEATS

Values must be in GVariant format. Strings need single quotes inside double quotes. Changes take effect immediately. For schema-validated settings, prefer gsettings.

RESOURCES

Source code