Export/import RStudio user preferences, global setting, etc

Question

I found myself lately having to install RStudio over multiple computers.

While I found it possible to migrate/reinstall my packages, I couldn't find a way/script/package that deals with migrating user preferences such as global options and its sub options (appearance, pane layout, ect.).

I tried to look here, here, and here, but I wasn't able to find an answer.

Edit

I found that I can use rstudioapi to change the theme (link). However, I still have other global options that I don't know how to export (e.g. pane layout, fonts).

Answer 1

Update:

There is a package now, supporting the feature: https://github.com/pat-s/rstudioSettings, requiring RStudio v1.4.162+.

Unfortunately, it is not officially supported by now, but you could consider a workaround.

Feature request:

As you can see here https://github.com/rstudio/rstudio/issues/1607, there are plenty of users waiting for this feature:

(related) https://community.rstudio.com/t/configure-rstudio-global-options-on-install/14881

Workaround:

Here is described where the settings are stored: https://support.rstudio.com/hc/en-us/articles/200534577-Resetting-RStudio-Desktop-s-State.

You can navigate to the Rstudio-desktop folder. E.g. on windows enter: %localappdata%\RStudio-Desktop in the explorer.

The global options you are looking for can be found here: ..\monitored\user-settings\user-settings.

Example:

The flag "always save history,..." in Rstudio - Tools - Global Options - General is the first value in ..\monitored\user-settings\user-settings.

So you might consider copying this folder as suggested here: https://support.rstudio.com/hc/en-us/community/posts/115000932128-RStudio-Config-Files?page=1#community_comment_115001435068.