# Settings & Files ## File locations ZapFast follows each platform's conventions. On Linux: | What | Where | Safe to delete? | | --- | --- | --- | | Settings | `~/.config/zapfast/settings.json` | Yes, you lose preferences | | Message archive | `~/.local/state/zapfast/archive.db` | Yes; only history available from WhatsApp can be restored | | Session keys | `~/.local/state/zapfast/session.db` | Yes; you must link again | | Attachments | `~/.cache/zapfast/media/` | Yes; available files download again when viewed | | Profile pictures | `~/.cache/zapfast/avatars/` | Always | | Stickers | `~/.cache/zapfast/stickers/` | Always | | GIF search stills | `~/.cache/zapfast/gifs/` | Always | | Last run's log | `~/.local/state/zapfast/zapfast.log` | Always | | Crash log | `~/.local/state/zapfast/panic.log` | Always | Back up the archive if you need its history. WhatsApp sends only recent history to a new device, although ZapFast can request some older messages from the phone. Clearing the media cache makes ZapFast download attachments again. Expired attachments may still be available through the phone. On macOS, settings, state, and the logs are in `~/Library/Application Support/me.paolino.zapfast` and the caches in `~/Library/Caches/me.paolino.zapfast`. On Windows, settings are in `%APPDATA%\paolino\zapfast\config`, state and the logs in `%LOCALAPPDATA%\paolino\zapfast\data`, and the caches in `%LOCALAPPDATA%\paolino\zapfast\cache`. On first start, ZapFast moves the corresponding `fastsapp` directories (or `fastwhatsapp` from earlier versions), including the session, archive, saved stickers, and window state. Existing ZapFast directories are never overwritten. Quit FastsApp first; launching ZapFast while it is running brings the existing window forward. ## Settings Changes on the Settings page are saved to `settings.json` immediately: - **Theme**: light, dark, or follow the system. - **Enter sends**: swap Enter and Shift+Enter. - **Download attachments automatically**: download files up to 64 MB when they enter view, or only when clicked. - **Show sender pictures**: avatars next to group messages. - **Names from your address book**: use contact names everywhere. When off, prefer public profile names. - **Send read receipts**: the blue ticks others see. - **Keep running in the background**: keep ZapFast in the tray when the window closes. - **Notifications**: use desktop notifications with the chat picture. - **Check for updates**: ask GitHub once a day whether a newer release exists. - **GIPHY API key**: required for GIF search unless the build includes one. Set `ZAPFAST_GIPHY_KEY` at compile time to include a default key. The earlier `FASTSAPP_GIPHY_KEY` remains a fallback for existing builds. ## The log Each run replaces `zapfast.log` and records warnings and errors. Include the end of this file when reporting an issue.

File locations

ZapFast follows each platform’s conventions. On Linux:

What	Where	Safe to delete?
Settings	~/.config/zapfast/settings.json	Yes, you lose preferences
Message archive	~/.local/state/zapfast/archive.db	Yes; only history available from WhatsApp can be restored
Session keys	~/.local/state/zapfast/session.db	Yes; you must link again
Attachments	~/.cache/zapfast/media/	Yes; available files download again when viewed
Profile pictures	~/.cache/zapfast/avatars/	Always
Stickers	~/.cache/zapfast/stickers/	Always
GIF search stills	~/.cache/zapfast/gifs/	Always
Last run’s log	~/.local/state/zapfast/zapfast.log	Always
Crash log	~/.local/state/zapfast/panic.log	Always

Back up the archive if you need its history. WhatsApp sends only recent history to a new device, although ZapFast can request some older messages from the phone. Clearing the media cache makes ZapFast download attachments again. Expired attachments may still be available through the phone.

On macOS, settings, state, and the logs are in ~/Library/Application Support/me.paolino.zapfast and the caches in ~/Library/Caches/me.paolino.zapfast. On Windows, settings are in %APPDATA%\paolino\zapfast\config, state and the logs in %LOCALAPPDATA%\paolino\zapfast\data, and the caches in %LOCALAPPDATA%\paolino\zapfast\cache.

On first start, ZapFast moves the corresponding fastsapp directories (or fastwhatsapp from earlier versions), including the session, archive, saved stickers, and window state. Existing ZapFast directories are never overwritten. Quit FastsApp first; launching ZapFast while it is running brings the existing window forward.

Settings

Changes on the Settings page are saved to settings.json immediately:

• Theme: light, dark, or follow the system.
• Enter sends: swap Enter and Shift+Enter.
• Download attachments automatically: download files up to 64 MB when they enter view, or only when clicked.
• Show sender pictures: avatars next to group messages.
• Names from your address book: use contact names everywhere. When off, prefer public profile names.
• Send read receipts: the blue ticks others see.
• Keep running in the background: keep ZapFast in the tray when the window closes.
• Notifications: use desktop notifications with the chat picture.
• Check for updates: ask GitHub once a day whether a newer release exists.
• GIPHY API key: required for GIF search unless the build includes one. Set ZAPFAST_GIPHY_KEY at compile time to include a default key. The earlier FASTSAPP_GIPHY_KEY remains a fallback for existing builds.

The log

Each run replaces zapfast.log and records warnings and errors. Include the end of this file when reporting an issue.