Overriding Rust installation default paths `$HOME/.cargo` and `$HOME/.rustup`

Question

In Rust, by default, files are placed in $HOME/.cargo and $HOME/.rustup. Is there any way to override these defaults?

I am trying to debug an obscure issue and I want to try changing the file locations.

Answer 1

Before installing Rust, set the environment variables CARGO_HOME and RUSTUP_HOME, and make sure they're set when using the toolchain.

Add the below to your shell profile (~/.bashrc, ~/.zshrc, etc.):

1. Environment variables for cargo and rustup

   export CARGO_HOME=/path/to/your/custom/location
   export RUSTUP_HOME=/path/to/your/custom/location
   

2. Install Rust using rustup - this is the recommended method

   RUSTUP_HOME=$RUSTUP_HOME CARGO_HOME=$CARGO_HOME bash -c 'curl https://sh.rustup.rs -sSf | sh'
   

3. Add Cargo's bin directory to $PATH:

   export PATH=$PATH:$CARGO_HOME/bin
   

4. Source Cargo's environment

   source "$CARGO_HOME/env"
   

5. Restart shell

Verify:

rustc --version
cargo --version

Answer 2

This is explained in the documentation:

rustup allows you to customise your installation by setting the environment variables CARGO_HOME and RUSTUP_HOME before running the rustup-init executable. As mentioned in the Environment Variables section, RUSTUP_HOME sets the root rustup folder, which is used for storing installed toolchains and configuration options. CARGO_HOME contains cache files used by cargo.

Don't forget to update the $PATH or you won't be able to use the binaries. Also, if you want that setup to be permanent, export those variables from your shell configuration (e.g. .bashrc or .zshrc):

Note that you will need to ensure these environment variables are always set and that CARGO_HOME/bin is in the $PATH environment variable when using the toolchain.