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Data Storage Locations

X21 stores data locally on your computer. This guide helps IT administrators locate files for backup, troubleshooting, or migration.

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Conversation Database

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SQLite Database Location

Windows: 
%LOCALAPPDATA%\X21\conversations.sqlite3
Typical path: C:\Users\USERNAME\AppData\Local\X21\conversations.sqlite3 macOS: 
~/Library/Application Support/X21/conversations.sqlite3
Linux: 
~/.local/share/X21/conversations.sqlite3

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Database Contents

The SQLite database stores:
  • All conversation messages
  • Per-workbook conversation history
  • Message metadata
  • Search indexes

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Database Configuration

Custom location (optional): Set environment variable: 
X21_DB_PATH=C:\CustomPath\conversations.sqlite3
WAL mode:
  • Write-Ahead Logging enabled for concurrency
  • Creates additional .sqlite3-wal and .sqlite3-shm files
  • Automatically managed

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Log Files

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Log Storage Location

Windows: 
%LOCALAPPDATA%\X21\X21-deno\Logs\
Typical path: C:\Users\USERNAME\AppData\Local\X21\X21-deno\Logs\ macOS/Linux: 
~/.local/share/X21/logs/

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Log Files

Daily rotation:
  • Current: deno-{hostname}.log
  • Archived: deno-{hostname}_YYYY-MM-DD.log
Contents:
  • Server startup/shutdown
  • Request processing
  • Tool execution
  • Error messages
  • WebSocket connections

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Log Levels

Configurable via environment:
  • DEBUG (development default)
  • INFO
  • WARN
  • ERROR
  • CRITICAL

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Configuration Files

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Environment Variables

X21 configuration via environment variables (not files):
  • ANTHROPIC_API_KEY - Claude API key
  • SERVER_PORT - Deno server port (default: 8000)
  • X21_DB_PATH - Custom database location
  • LOG_LEVEL - Logging verbosity

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No Configuration Files

X21 doesn’t use configuration files - all settings via:
  1. Environment variables
  2. Runtime parameters
  3. Workbook-embedded custom commands

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Backup Recommendations

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What to Backup

Essential:
  • Conversation database (conversations.sqlite3)
  • API key (stored in environment/deployment)
Optional:
  • Log files (for troubleshooting history)
  • Custom slash command definitions (if any)

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Backup Frequency

Conversation database:
  • Daily for active users
  • Weekly for light users
  • Before major updates
Logs:
  • Rotate automatically (daily)
  • Keep 30-90 days for support

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Backup Commands

Windows (PowerShell): 
Copy-Item "$env:LOCALAPPDATA\X21\conversations.sqlite3" -Destination "\\backup\path\"
macOS/Linux: 
cp ~/Library/Application\ Support/X21/conversations.sqlite3 /backup/path/

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Migration

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Moving to New Computer

  1. Export database:
    • Copy conversations.sqlite3 from old computer
  2. Install X21 on new computer
  3. Import database:
    • Place conversations.sqlite3 in appropriate location
    • Or set X21_DB_PATH environment variable
  4. Verify:
    • Open X21, check conversation history

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Shared/Network Storage

Not recommended:
  • SQLite doesn’t support network file systems well
  • Concurrent access issues possible
  • Use local storage only

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Disk Space

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Typical Usage

Conversation database:
  • Light user: less 10 MB
  • Medium user: 10-50 MB
  • Heavy user: 50-200 MB
Log files:
  • Per day: 1-10 MB
  • With rotation: 30-300 MB total
Total estimate: 100-500 MB for most users

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Safe to Delete

Old logs:
  • Logs older than 30-90 days
  • No impact on functionality
WAL files:
  • .sqlite3-wal and .sqlite3-shm only when database not in use
  • Automatically recreated

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Not Safe to Delete

Active database:
  • conversations.sqlite3 - loses all history
  • Backup first if cleanup needed
Current logs:
  • Today’s log file may be actively written

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Privacy & Security

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Local Storage Only

  • All data stays on local computer
  • No cloud sync (unless manually configured)
  • GDPR/privacy compliant by default

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Sensitive Data

Database may contain:
  • Conversation content
  • User email addresses
  • Workbook names and sheet names
  • Tool operation details
Security recommendations:
  • Encrypt backup drives
  • Restrict file permissions
  • Include in enterprise backup policies

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Troubleshooting

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Can’t Find Database

  1. Check environment variable X21_DB_PATH
  2. Verify path expansion (e.g., %LOCALAPPDATA%)
  3. Look for alternate user profiles
  4. Check permissions on parent directory

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Database Locked

Cause: Multiple X21 instances or WAL mode issue Solution:
  1. Close all Excel/X21 instances
  2. Wait 30 seconds
  3. Restart X21

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Log Files Missing

Cause: Permissions or path issue Solution:
  1. Check directory exists
  2. Verify write permissions
  3. Check LOG_LEVEL environment variable