Restore Rider layer-based settings on the machine (Live Templates, Context Actions, Code Cleanup etc.)

Question

How to restore layer-based settings after reinstalling Rider/ changing the installation path? Such as custom Live Templates, Context Actions, Code Cleanup preferences.

Answer

Rider allows restoration of layer-based settings by specifying the IDE installation path. These settings are stored in the system user directory, such as AppData on Windows.

Layer-based settings are also used in ReSharper and are identified by a dedicated icon for layer-based settings.

For a detailed comparison of layer-based and directory-based settings, refer to the JetBrains Rider Settings Documentation.

Restoring Rider Settings in a New Installation

If layer-based settings were previously saved at the "Computer-level," they are stored in the Rider configuration directory. This directory can be located by following the instructions in the Directories Used by the IDE to Store Settings, Caches, Plugins, and Logs documentation.

The specific file containing computer-level configurations is:

resharper-host\GlobalSettingsStorage.DotSettings

Steps to Restore Settings:

1. Open Rider.
2. Navigate to File | Settings | Manage Layers.
3. Import the .DotSettings file from the above location.