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(emacs)Init File

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The Init File, `~/.emacs'
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   When Emacs is started, it normally loads a Lisp program from the file
`.emacs' or `.emacs.el' in your home directory.  We call this file your
"init file" because it specifies how to initialize Emacs for you.  You
can use the command line switch `-q' to prevent loading your init file,
and `-u' (or `--user') to specify a different user's init file (Note:
Entering Emacs).

   There can also be a "default init file", which is the library named
`default.el', found via the standard search path for libraries.  The
Emacs distribution contains no such library; your site may create one
for local customizations.  If this library exists, it is loaded
whenever you start Emacs (except when you specify `-q').  But your init
file, if any, is loaded first; if it sets `inhibit-default-init'
non-`nil', then `default' is not loaded.

   Your site may also have a "site startup file"; this is named
`site-start.el', if it exists.  Like `default.el', Emacs finds this
file via the standard search path for Lisp libraries.  Emacs loads this
library before it loads your init file.  To inhibit loading of this
library, use the option `-no-site-file'.  Note: Initial Options.

   You can place `default.el' and `site-start.el' in any of the
directories which Emacs searches for Lisp libraries.  The variable
`load-path' (Note: Lisp Libraries) specifies these directories.  Many
sites put these files in the `site-lisp' subdirectory of the Emacs
installation directory, typically `/usr/local/share/emacs/site-lisp'.

   If you have a large amount of code in your `.emacs' file, you should
rename it to `~/.emacs.el', and byte-compile it.  Note: Byte
Compilation, for more information about
compiling Emacs Lisp programs.

   If you are going to write actual Emacs Lisp programs that go beyond
minor customization, you should read the `Emacs Lisp Reference Manual'.
Note: Emacs Lisp.

Init Syntax

Syntax of constants in Emacs Lisp.

Init Examples

How to do some things with an init file.

Terminal Init

Each terminal type can have an init file.

Find Init

How Emacs finds the init file.