What is the IPR file format?
An .ipr file is the root configuration file for IntelliJ IDEA's classic "file-based" project format, introduced with early IntelliJ IDEA versions (circa 2001). It is a plain UTF-8 XML document whose root element is <project> with a version attribute (typically 4) that increments across major IDEA releases.
The file stores project-wide settings: SDK and language-level choices, module paths (referencing companion .iml module files), compiler configuration, VCS root definitions, run/debug configurations, and code-style settings. User-specific state - open editor tabs, breakpoints, and window layout - lives in the sibling .iws workspace file.
JetBrains introduced the directory-based .idea/ format with IntelliJ IDEA 9 in 2009. That format splits project state into many small XML files under a .idea/ folder, making it far more version-control-friendly. JetBrains recommends the directory-based format for all new projects; the .ipr format is retained for backward compatibility but is no longer the default.
Because .ipr is plain XML, any text editor can open and inspect it. The file should be committed to version control; the companion .iws file is user-specific and should be excluded from commits. Current IntelliJ IDEA versions still open classic .ipr projects without issue.
Security & safety
RISK: LOWAn IPR file is a plain XML configuration file with no executable code. Opening it in a text editor or IDEA is safe. However, a crafted .ipr could point to malicious SDK paths or run configurations that execute code upon opening in IDEA - standard precaution when opening projects from untrusted sources (IDEA itself warns about this).
Format details
in a nutshellPrograms that open IPR files
Windows2 apps
IntelliJ IDEA
Freemium File > Open > select the .ipr file. IDEA loads the project using the classic format; optionally convert to .idea/ via the prompt IDEA shows. 
Any text/XML editor (VSCode, Notepad++)
Free Open the .ipr to inspect the raw XML configuration - useful for debugging or migrating settings, not for running the project. 
macOS1 app
Linux1 app
IntelliJ IDEA
Freemium File > Open > select the .ipr; IDEA Community Edition is free and open-source. Technical details
deep spec| File format | Plain text XML (UTF-8) |
| Root element | `<project version="4">` - version attribute increments with IntelliJ IDEA major releases |
| Settings scope | Project-wide: SDK, module paths, compiler settings, VCS roots, run/debug configurations |
| Component structure | `<component>` child elements, one per settings area (compiler, VCS, project SDK, etc.) |
| Companion files | `.iws` (user-specific workspace state); `.iml` (per-module configuration) |
| Status | Deprecated since IntelliJ IDEA 9 (2009); superseded by `.idea/` directory-based format |
| VCS recommendation | `.ipr` should be committed; `.iws` should be excluded (it is user-specific) |
| Backward compatibility | IntelliJ IDEA 2024.x and later still open classic `.ipr` projects |
| Encryption / compression | None - plain text file |
| Typical file size | 2 KB - 200 KB (depends on project complexity and stored configurations) |
| Byte order | N/A (text file) |
| Released | Early 2000s (IntelliJ IDEA 1.x - classic project format) |
| Latest version | XML schema version varies with IDEA version; format deprecated in favor of .idea/ directory format (IDEA 9+, 2009) |
| Specification | www.jetbrains.com |
IPR conversions
Community Q&A
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