# Configure the IDE

> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://www.jetbrains.com/help/idea/2026.3/llms.txt).

IntelliJ IDEA allows you to configure the settings on several levels: the [module](configure-modules.html) level, the [project](configure-project-settings.html) level, and globally.

![Types of settings](https://resources.jetbrains.com/help/img/idea/2026.3/settings-types.png)

Global settings apply to all projects that you open with a specific installation or version of IntelliJ IDEA. Such settings include IDE appearance (themes, color schemes, menus, and toolbars), notification settings, the set of installed and enabled plugins, debugger settings, code completion, and so on. Global settings are stored in the [configuration directory](directories-used-by-the-ide-to-store-settings-caches-plugins-and-logs.html#config-directory).

[Project settings](configure-project-settings.html) apply to the current project only unless you configure them as [default settings for new projects](configure-project-settings.html#new-default-settings). Such settings include VCS configuration, code style options, the list of language inspections, and so on.

To configure your IDE, select `IntelliJ IDEA | Settings` for macOS or `File | Settings` for Windows and Linux. Alternatively, press `Ctrl+Alt+S` (Windows), `⌘ Comma` (macOS), `⌘ Comma` (IntelliJ IDEA Classic (macOS)), `⌘ Comma` (macOS System Shortcuts), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (XWin), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (GNOME), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (KDE), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (Emacs), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (Sublime Text), `⌘ Comma` (Sublime Text (macOS)), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (Visual Studio), `⌘ Comma` (Visual Studio (macOS)), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (NetBeans), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (Eclipse), `⌘ Comma` (Eclipse (macOS)) or click ![the Settings button](https://resources.jetbrains.com/help/img/idea/2026.3/app.expui.general.settings.svg) on the toolbar.

Settings that are NOT marked with the ![For current project](https://resources.jetbrains.com/help/img/idea/2026.3/app-client.expui.general.projectConfigurable.svg) icon in the Settings dialog are global and apply to all existing projects of the current IntelliJ IDEA version.

![Global settings marked in the Settings dialog](https://resources.jetbrains.com/help/img/idea/2026.3/ide-settings-preferences.png)

## See also

### Procedures

[IDE settings backup and sync](sharing-your-ide-settings.html)

### Reference

[Advanced configuration](tuning-the-ide.html)