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# 1.9.1 Directories Overview

XTrackCAD uses two directories on your system:

- The XTrackCAD Install directory, which contains the data and parameter files used by XTrackCAD.

- The XTrackCAD Working directory, which contains configuration and Check Point files.

On MS Windows, the Install directory is set when you install XTrackCAD. All data files (parameters, demos, examples) can be found in the `share/xtrkcad` subdirectory underneath the Install directory. The Working directory is in your personal profile.

On Linux, the Install directory is usually `/usr/local/lib/xtrkcad/`, but you can change this by defining the `XTRKCADLIB` environment variable before starting XTrackCAD. The working directory is `{HOME}/.xtrkcad/`.

On Mac OSX, the Install directory is the application package, usually located in the `/Applications` directory. All the included parameters, demos and examples can be found inside the package under the `/Applications/xtrkcad/Contents/Resources/xtrkcad` directory. The Working directory is created as `.xtrkcad` - a hidden directory - under the active user's directory in `/Users`

Layout files (`*.xtc`) and export (Section 2.5.1) files (`*.xti`) can be saved anywhere you wish, as specified in the Save File and Open File dialogs.

In MacOS Catalina, the program has no access to certain directories - the Documents and Download directories in particular.

Example layouts can be found in the `example` directory under the XTrackCAD install directory.