Folder paths
The default PoE2 build file location on Windows is C:/Users/<Name>/Documents/My Games/Path of Exile 2/BuildPlanner. The game only reads .build files from that BuildPlanner subfolder — copy the exact path for Steam, Epic Games, or Linux / Steam Deck below.
Unofficial fan-made guide. Not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Grinding Gear Games.
Whatever the platform, you are looking for the same tail: Documents/My Games/Path of Exile 2/BuildPlanner. If that folder does not exist yet, create it — the game will not create it for you just because a file is sitting nearby.
Replace <Name> with your Windows account name. If you use OneDrive document redirection, your Documents folder may live under C:/Users/<Name>/OneDrive/Documents instead.
The Steam launcher on Windows uses the normal Windows documents path. There is no separate Steam folder for build files on Windows.
Like Steam on Windows, the Epic launcher reads from the standard documents path. The launcher you bought the game through does not move the BuildPlanner folder.
Under Proton the Windows documents folder lives inside the Proton prefix. 2694490 is Path of Exile 2's Steam App ID; if this path is missing, check other Steam library roots for steamapps/compatdata/2694490/.
Open File Explorer, paste %USERPROFILE%/Documents/My Games/Path of Exile 2 into the address bar, and press Enter. Create a BuildPlanner folder there if it is missing.
Switch to Desktop Mode, open the file manager, and navigate into steamapps/compatdata. If several numbered folders exist, the right one contains a Path of Exile 2 documents tree under its Proton prefix.
Symptom: File sits in Path of Exile 2 but not in BuildPlanner.
Fix: Move it down into the BuildPlanner subfolder.
Symptom: Windows path looks right but the game still ignores the file.
Fix: Check whether Documents is redirected into OneDrive and use that path.
Symptom: Steam Deck path does not exist.
Fix: Open each numbered folder and find the one with the Path of Exile 2 documents tree.
Symptom: File is in the right place but still ignored.
Fix: Enable file extensions and confirm it ends in .build, not .build.txt.
Do not confuse the game settings file with character build planner files.
Location: Documents/My Games/Path of Exile 2/production_Config.ini
Contains your graphics, audio, UI scaling, and keybindings. Edited when fixing resolution or startup crashes.
Location: Documents/My Games/Path of Exile 2/BuildPlanner/
Must be inside the BuildPlanner subfolder. Placing build files in the root folder alongside production_Config.ini will cause them to be ignored by the game.
Launch the game or reopen the in-game Build Planner so it re-scans the folder. A file added while the planner is open may not appear until you reopen it.
If the folder is correct and the file still does not show, the file itself may be the problem. Validate the JSON and confirm the extension.
You must place your .build file directly inside the BuildPlanner subfolder at: Documents/My Games/Path of Exile 2/BuildPlanner. Do not leave it in the parent Path of Exile 2 folder.
On Windows (Standalone, Steam, and Epic), the PoE 2 build file location is C:/Users/<Name>/Documents/My Games/Path of Exile 2/BuildPlanner.
On Linux and Steam Deck, locate the Proton prefix folder: ~/.local/share/Steam/steamapps/compatdata/2694490/pfx/drive_c/users/steamuser/Documents/My Games/Path of Exile 2/BuildPlanner.
Common reasons include putting the file one folder too high (in Path of Exile 2 instead of BuildPlanner), OneDrive redirection path mismatches, or hidden extensions like .build.txt.
The PoE2 game configuration file (production_Config.ini) is located in Documents/My Games/Path of Exile 2/production_Config.ini. In contrast, your .build planner files must go into the subfolder Documents/My Games/Path of Exile 2/BuildPlanner/. Placing .build files in the root folder alongside production_Config.ini will cause the game to ignore them.