---
title: Overview
description: "# Step 3: Configure the Application Directory properties The **second step** in the cell configuration process is to edit the **ontology_application_directory.properties** file for edu.harvard.i2b2.ontology. During this step you need to specify a location for the application properties directory. This location…"
url: "https://i2b2.org/docs/9-4-2-configure-ontology-application-directory-properties/"
updated: "2026-09-15"
category: "i2b2 Installation Guide / Chapter 4. Server Install Guide / B. Legacy Approach - Build Each Cell from Source / Chapter 9. Ontology Management (ONT) Cell Install / 9.4 Configuration / 9.4.2 Configure Ontology Application Directory Properties"
---

# Overview

#

Step 3: Configure the Application Directory properties

The **second step** in the cell configuration process is to edit the **ontology_application_directory.properties** file for edu.harvard.i2b2.ontology. During this step you need to specify a location for the application properties directory. This location can be anything you desire but it must be a directory path that the Windows or Linux user has been granted permission to access.

### Steps to update ontology_application_directory.properties

1. At the command prompt type the following:

  **Linux Command**

open *YOUR_I2B2_SRC_DIR*/edu.harvard.i2b2.ontology/etc/spring/ontology_application_directory.properties

  **Windows Command**

*YOUR_I2B2_SRC_DIR*\edu.harvard.i2b2.ontology\etc\spring\ontology_application_directory.properties

***EXAMPLES:***

***Linux Command:***  open /opt/i2b2/edu.harvard.i2b2.ontology/etc/spring/ontology_application_directory.properties

***Windows Command:***  C:\opt\i2b2\edu.harvard.i2b2.ontology\etc\spring\ontology_application_directory.properties

2. The **ontology_application_directory.properties** file will open. Set the following properties to reflect your environment:

  **Application properties for ONT Cell**

edu.harvard.i2b2.ontology.applicationdir=/*YOUR_JBOSS_HOME_DIR*/standalone/configuration/ontologyapp

3. Save the changes and close the file.