---
layout: docs
page_title: File system configuration
description: >-
  Configure Vault backend storage to use a standard directory structure on the
  local filesystem.
---

> [!IMPORTANT]  
> **Documentation Update:** Product documentation, which were located in this repository under `/website`, are now located in [`hashicorp/web-unified-docs`](https://github.com/hashicorp/web-unified-docs), colocated with all other product documentation. Contributions to this content should be done in the `web-unified-docs` repo, and not this one. Changes made to `/website` content in this repo will not be reflected on the developer.hashicorp.com website.

# File system configuration for Vault backend storage

The Filesystem storage backend stores Vault's data on the filesystem using a
standard directory structure. It can be used for durable single server
situations, or to develop locally where durability is not critical.

- **No High Availability** – the Filesystem backend does not support high
  availability.

- **HashiCorp Supported** – the Filesystem backend is officially supported by
  HashiCorp.

```hcl
storage "file" {
  path = "/mnt/vault/data"
}
```

Even though Vault's data is encrypted at rest, you should still take appropriate
measures to secure access to the filesystem.

## `file` parameters

- `path` `(string: <required>)` – The absolute path on disk to the directory
  where the data will be stored. If the directory does not exist, Vault will
  create it.

## `file` examples

This example shows the Filesystem storage backend being mounted at
`/mnt/vault/data`.

```hcl
storage "file" {
  path = "/mnt/vault/data"
}
```