> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.parallaxprotocol.org/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Settings and updates in Parallax Wallet

> What each section of Settings holds, how Parallax Wallet updates, and where it keeps its files.

## Settings

| Section | What's there |
| - | - |
| **General** | Language, open at login, starting the node automatically, keeping the computer awake while syncing, notifications, automatic update checks, and offline signing |
| **Appearance** | Theme (System, Light or Dark), account avatars, and turning off animations |
| **Storage** | Where the wallet and the node's data live, moving them, and wiping the wallet |
| **Accounts** | Creating, importing, backing up and removing accounts |
| **Security** | Your wallet password and automatic locking |
| **Node** | Sync mode (*Snap*, recommended, or *Full*), caches, fee estimation and the transaction pool |
| **Network** | Inbound connections, peers, port mapping, and privacy options such as Tor |
| **RPC** | The node's HTTP-RPC (on by default, at `127.0.0.1:8545`), WebSocket and other interfaces |
| **AI assistants** | Letting AI assistants use your node and wallet, and what they may do; see [AI assistants in Parallax Wallet](../ai/parallax-wallet) |
| **Diagnostics** | Log level and the app's live logs |
| **About** | The app's version, checking for updates, and ways to report a problem or request a feature |

Changes take effect when you **Save**; the few that need the node or the
app to restart say so. Advanced options show the command-line flag they
match, if you also use the [CLI client](../client/setup).

<Note>
  Your node's HTTP-RPC is what other wallets connect to. To use MetaMask
  with your own node, point it at `http://127.0.0.1:8545`; see
  [Setting up MetaMask](../wallets/metamask). It only listens on your own
  computer unless you change its listen address.
</Note>

***

## Updates

Parallax Wallet checks for a new version every 30 minutes (turn this off
in **Settings → General**), or when you press **Check for updates** in
**Settings → About**. When one is out, an update button appears in the
top bar. The app downloads it and checks it against the release's
`SHA256SUMS.txt` before installing:

* **Windows and Linux** — it installs the update and restarts when you
  say so.
* **macOS** — it opens the new version's disk image; drag Parallax
  Wallet to *Applications* to replace the old one.

An offline signer never checks for updates: install new versions by
hand.

***

## Files on your computer

The node's data (the blockchain) goes in the same places as the CLI
client's, unless you chose another folder:

* **Windows**: `%LOCALAPPDATA%\Parallax` (or `%APPDATA%\Parallax` if an
  older install already uses it)
* **macOS**: `~/Library/Parallax`
* **Linux**: `~/.parallax`

The app's settings (`gui.json`) and your wallet (its encrypted keys,
phrases, contacts and logs) live in a `Parallax` folder in your system's
app-config folder:

* **Windows**: `%APPDATA%\Parallax`
* **macOS**: `~/Library/Application Support/Parallax`
* **Linux**: `~/.config/Parallax`

**Settings → Storage** shows both, and can move them. Because the node
uses the same data directory as the CLI client, you can switch between
them without downloading the chain again.

<Warning>
  These folders are not a backup. If this computer is lost or broken, what
  brings your accounts back is your recovery phrases, written on paper, and
  your single keys' backup files, saved with **Save backup**.
</Warning>


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