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P4 CLI Documentation | 2026.1

# P4JOURNAL

A file that holds the P4 Server database’s journal data.

## Usage notes

Used by Client? | Used by Server? | Command-Line Alternative | Can be set in P4CONFIG file?
--- | --- | --- | ---
No | Yes | `p4d -J file` | N/A

## Value if not explicitly set

Operating System | Value
--- | ---
All | `P4ROOT``/journal`

## Examples

`journal`
`off`
`/disk2/perforce/journal`

## Notes

If a relative path is provided, it will be relative to the P4 Server root. For example, on Windows:

    p4 set -S Perforce P4JOURNAL=journal

Setting `P4JOURNAL` to `off` is not recommended because it disables journaling. Journaling is a key part of server recovery and is essential for any server that is upstream of a replica, edge or standby server.

To learn more, see:

- Setting protections with p4 protect

- Journal files

in the P4 Server Administration Documentation.

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