(emacs.info) Init File

 
 The Init File, `~/.emacs'
 =========================
 
    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 (
 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.  Emacs loads this library before it
 loads your init file.  To inhibit loading of this library, use the
 option `-no-site-file'.
 
    If you have a large amount of code in your `.emacs' file, you should
 rename it to `~/.emacs.el', and byte-compile it.   Byte
 Compilation (elisp)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'.
  Emacs Lisp (elisp)Top.
(emacs.info) Init File

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