diff --git a/src/config/accounts.c b/src/config/accounts.c
index d087bbb9..96168b5b 100644
--- a/src/config/accounts.c
+++ b/src/config/accounts.c
@@ -49,14 +49,13 @@
 #include "xmpp/xmpp.h"
 #include "xmpp/jid.h"
 
-static gchar *accounts_loc;
+static char *accounts_loc;
 static GKeyFile *accounts;
 
 static Autocomplete all_ac;
 static Autocomplete enabled_ac;
 
 static void _save_accounts(void);
-static gchar* _get_accounts_file(void);
 
 void
 accounts_load(void)
@@ -64,7 +63,7 @@ accounts_load(void)
     log_info("Loading accounts");
     all_ac = autocomplete_new();
     enabled_ac = autocomplete_new();
-    accounts_loc = _get_accounts_file();
+    accounts_loc = files_get_data_path(FILE_ACCOUNTS);
 
     if (g_file_test(accounts_loc, G_FILE_TEST_EXISTS)) {
         g_chmod(accounts_loc, S_IRUSR | S_IWUSR);
@@ -858,27 +857,13 @@ _save_accounts(void)
 {
     gsize g_data_size;
     gchar *g_accounts_data = g_key_file_to_data(accounts, &g_data_size, NULL);
-    gchar *xdg_data = files_get_xdg_data_home();
-    GString *base_str = g_string_new(xdg_data);
-    g_string_append(base_str, "/profanity/");
-    gchar *true_loc = get_file_or_linked(accounts_loc, base_str->str);
+
+    gchar *base = g_path_get_basename(accounts_loc);
+    gchar *true_loc = get_file_or_linked(accounts_loc, base);
     g_file_set_contents(true_loc, g_accounts_data, g_data_size, NULL);
     g_chmod(accounts_loc, S_IRUSR | S_IWUSR);
-    g_free(xdg_data);
+
+    g_free(base);
     free(true_loc);
     g_free(g_accounts_data);
-    g_string_free(base_str, TRUE);
-}
-
-static gchar*
-_get_accounts_file(void)
-{
-    gchar *xdg_data = files_get_xdg_data_home();
-    GString *logfile = g_string_new(xdg_data);
-    g_string_append(logfile, "/profanity/accounts");
-    gchar *result = strdup(logfile->str);
-    g_free(xdg_data);
-    g_string_free(logfile, TRUE);
-
-    return result;
 }
diff --git a/src/config/files.c b/src/config/files.c
index 7b8759b1..d60b4efa 100644
--- a/src/config/files.c
+++ b/src/config/files.c
@@ -35,18 +35,22 @@
 
 #include <stdlib.h>
 #include <string.h>
-
+#include <unistd.h>
 #include <glib.h>
 
 #include "common.h"
 #include "log.h"
 #include "config/files.h"
+#include "config/preferences.h"
+
+static char* _files_get_xdg_config_home(void);
+static char* _files_get_xdg_data_home(void);
 
 void
 files_create_directories(void)
 {
-    gchar *xdg_config = files_get_xdg_config_home();
-    gchar *xdg_data = files_get_xdg_data_home();
+    gchar *xdg_config = _files_get_xdg_config_home();
+    gchar *xdg_data = _files_get_xdg_data_home();
 
     GString *themes_dir = g_string_new(xdg_config);
     g_string_append(themes_dir, "/profanity/themes");
@@ -85,17 +89,17 @@ files_create_directories(void)
     g_free(xdg_data);
 }
 
-gchar*
-files_get_inputrc_path(void)
+char*
+files_get_inputrc_file(void)
 {
-    gchar *xdg_config = files_get_xdg_config_home();
+    gchar *xdg_config = _files_get_xdg_config_home();
     GString *inputrc_file = g_string_new(xdg_config);
     g_free(xdg_config);
 
     g_string_append(inputrc_file, "/profanity/inputrc");
 
     if (g_file_test(inputrc_file->str, G_FILE_TEST_IS_REGULAR)) {
-        gchar *result = strdup(inputrc_file->str);
+        char *result = strdup(inputrc_file->str);
         g_string_free(inputrc_file, TRUE);
 
         return result;
@@ -106,8 +110,53 @@ files_get_inputrc_path(void)
     return NULL;
 }
 
-gchar*
-files_get_xdg_config_home(void)
+char*
+files_get_log_file(void)
+{
+    gchar *xdg_data = _files_get_xdg_data_home();
+    GString *logfile = g_string_new(xdg_data);
+    g_string_append(logfile, "/profanity/logs/profanity");
+    if (!prefs_get_boolean(PREF_LOG_SHARED)) {
+        g_string_append_printf(logfile, "%d", getpid());
+    }
+    g_string_append(logfile, ".log");
+    char *result = strdup(logfile->str);
+    free(xdg_data);
+    g_string_free(logfile, TRUE);
+
+    return result;
+}
+
+char*
+files_get_config_path(char *config_base)
+{
+    gchar *xdg_config = _files_get_xdg_config_home();
+    GString *file_str = g_string_new(xdg_config);
+    g_string_append(file_str, "/profanity/");
+    g_string_append(file_str, config_base);
+    char *result = strdup(file_str->str);
+    g_free(xdg_config);
+    g_string_free(file_str, TRUE);
+
+    return result;
+}
+
+char*
+files_get_data_path(char *data_base)
+{
+    gchar *xdg_data = _files_get_xdg_data_home();
+    GString *file_str = g_string_new(xdg_data);
+    g_string_append(file_str, "/profanity/");
+    g_string_append(file_str, data_base);
+    char *result = strdup(file_str->str);
+    g_free(xdg_data);
+    g_string_free(file_str, TRUE);
+
+    return result;
+}
+
+static char*
+_files_get_xdg_config_home(void)
 {
     gchar *xdg_config_home = getenv("XDG_CONFIG_HOME");
     if (xdg_config_home)
@@ -118,15 +167,15 @@ files_get_xdg_config_home(void)
     } else {
         GString *default_path = g_string_new(getenv("HOME"));
         g_string_append(default_path, "/.config");
-        gchar *result = strdup(default_path->str);
+        char *result = strdup(default_path->str);
         g_string_free(default_path, TRUE);
 
         return result;
     }
 }
 
-gchar*
-files_get_xdg_data_home(void)
+static char*
+_files_get_xdg_data_home(void)
 {
     gchar *xdg_data_home = getenv("XDG_DATA_HOME");
     if (xdg_data_home)
diff --git a/src/config/files.h b/src/config/files.h
index ff50cc1d..47a73b43 100644
--- a/src/config/files.h
+++ b/src/config/files.h
@@ -37,11 +37,27 @@
 
 #include <glib.h>
 
+#define FILE_PROFRC "profrc"
+#define FILE_ACCOUNTS "accounts"
+#define FILE_TLSCERTS "tlscerts"
+#define FILE_PLUGIN_SETTINGS "plugin_settings"
+#define FILE_PLUGIN_THEMES "plugin_themes"
+#define FILE_CAPSCACHE "capscache"
+
+#define DIR_THEMES "themes"
+#define DIR_ICONS "icons"
+#define DIR_SCRIPTS "scripts"
+#define DIR_CHATLOGS "chatlogs"
+#define DIR_OTR "otr"
+#define DIR_PGP "pgp"
+#define DIR_PLUGINS "plugins"
+
 void files_create_directories(void);
 
-gchar* files_get_inputrc_path(void);
+char* files_get_config_path(char *config_base);
+char* files_get_data_path(char *data_base);
 
-gchar* files_get_xdg_config_home(void);
-gchar* files_get_xdg_data_home(void);
+char* files_get_log_file(void);
+char* files_get_inputrc_file(void);
 
 #endif
diff --git a/src/config/preferences.c b/src/config/preferences.c
index d2d3b8ce..bb9693fe 100644
--- a/src/config/preferences.c
+++ b/src/config/preferences.c
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@
 
 #define INPBLOCK_DEFAULT 1000
 
-static gchar *prefs_loc;
+static char *prefs_loc;
 static GKeyFile *prefs;
 gint log_maxsize = 0;
 
@@ -70,7 +70,6 @@ static Autocomplete boolean_choice_ac;
 static Autocomplete room_trigger_ac;
 
 static void _save_prefs(void);
-static gchar* _get_preferences_file(void);
 static const char* _get_group(preference_t pref);
 static const char* _get_key(preference_t pref);
 static gboolean _get_default_boolean(preference_t pref);
@@ -80,7 +79,7 @@ void
 prefs_load(void)
 {
     GError *err;
-    prefs_loc = _get_preferences_file();
+    prefs_loc = files_get_config_path(FILE_PROFRC);
 
     if (g_file_test(prefs_loc, G_FILE_TEST_EXISTS)) {
         g_chmod(prefs_loc, S_IRUSR | S_IWUSR);
@@ -1140,29 +1139,15 @@ _save_prefs(void)
 {
     gsize g_data_size;
     gchar *g_prefs_data = g_key_file_to_data(prefs, &g_data_size, NULL);
-    gchar *xdg_config = files_get_xdg_config_home();
-    GString *base_str = g_string_new(xdg_config);
-    g_string_append(base_str, "/profanity/");
-    gchar *true_loc = get_file_or_linked(prefs_loc, base_str->str);
+    gchar *base = g_path_get_basename(prefs_loc);
+    gchar *true_loc = get_file_or_linked(prefs_loc, base);
+
     g_file_set_contents(true_loc, g_prefs_data, g_data_size, NULL);
     g_chmod(prefs_loc, S_IRUSR | S_IWUSR);
-    g_free(xdg_config);
+
+    g_free(base);
     free(true_loc);
     g_free(g_prefs_data);
-    g_string_free(base_str, TRUE);
-}
-
-static gchar*
-_get_preferences_file(void)
-{
-    gchar *xdg_config = files_get_xdg_config_home();
-    GString *prefs_file = g_string_new(xdg_config);
-    g_string_append(prefs_file, "/profanity/profrc");
-    gchar *result = strdup(prefs_file->str);
-    g_free(xdg_config);
-    g_string_free(prefs_file, TRUE);
-
-    return result;
 }
 
 // get the preference group for a specific preference
diff --git a/src/config/scripts.c b/src/config/scripts.c
index 8ab2684c..41f93e3c 100644
--- a/src/config/scripts.c
+++ b/src/config/scripts.c
@@ -51,38 +51,31 @@
 void
 scripts_init(void)
 {
-    gchar *data_home = files_get_xdg_data_home();
-    GString *scriptsdir = g_string_new(data_home);
-    free(data_home);
-
-    g_string_append(scriptsdir, "/profanity/scripts");
+    char *scriptsdir = files_get_data_path(DIR_SCRIPTS);
 
     // mkdir if doesn't exist
     errno = 0;
-    int res = g_mkdir_with_parents(scriptsdir->str, S_IRWXU);
+    int res = g_mkdir_with_parents(scriptsdir, S_IRWXU);
     if (res == -1) {
         char *errmsg = strerror(errno);
         if (errmsg) {
-            log_error("Error creating directory: %s, %s", scriptsdir->str, errmsg);
+            log_error("Error creating directory: %s, %s", scriptsdir, errmsg);
         } else {
-            log_error("Error creating directory: %s", scriptsdir->str);
+            log_error("Error creating directory: %s", scriptsdir);
         }
     }
 
-    g_string_free(scriptsdir, TRUE);
+    free(scriptsdir);
 }
 
 GSList*
 scripts_list(void)
 {
-    gchar *data_home = files_get_xdg_data_home();
-    GString *scriptsdir = g_string_new(data_home);
-    free(data_home);
-    g_string_append(scriptsdir, "/profanity/scripts");
+    char *scriptsdir = files_get_data_path(DIR_SCRIPTS);
 
     GSList *result = NULL;
-    GDir *scripts = g_dir_open(scriptsdir->str, 0, NULL);
-    g_string_free(scriptsdir, TRUE);
+    GDir *scripts = g_dir_open(scriptsdir, 0, NULL);
+    free(scriptsdir);
 
     if (scripts) {
         const gchar *script = g_dir_read_name(scripts);
@@ -99,11 +92,10 @@ scripts_list(void)
 GSList*
 scripts_read(const char *const script)
 {
-    gchar *data_home = files_get_xdg_data_home();
-    GString *scriptpath = g_string_new(data_home);
-    free(data_home);
-
-    g_string_append(scriptpath, "/profanity/scripts/");
+    char *scriptsdir = files_get_data_path(DIR_SCRIPTS);
+    GString *scriptpath = g_string_new(scriptsdir);
+    free(scriptsdir);
+    g_string_append(scriptpath, "/");
     g_string_append(scriptpath, script);
 
     FILE *scriptfile = g_fopen(scriptpath->str, "r");
@@ -137,11 +129,10 @@ scripts_read(const char *const script)
 gboolean
 scripts_exec(const char *const script)
 {
-    gchar *data_home = files_get_xdg_data_home();
-    GString *scriptpath = g_string_new(data_home);
-    free(data_home);
-
-    g_string_append(scriptpath, "/profanity/scripts/");
+    char *scriptsdir = files_get_data_path(DIR_SCRIPTS);
+    GString *scriptpath = g_string_new(scriptsdir);
+    free(scriptsdir);
+    g_string_append(scriptpath, "/");
     g_string_append(scriptpath, script);
 
     FILE *scriptfile = g_fopen(scriptpath->str, "r");
diff --git a/src/config/theme.c b/src/config/theme.c
index 55698ed6..0133b1f6 100644
--- a/src/config/theme.c
+++ b/src/config/theme.c
@@ -63,7 +63,6 @@ struct colour_string_t {
 };
 
 static void _load_preferences(void);
-static gchar* _get_themes_dir(void);
 void _theme_list_dir(const gchar *const dir, GSList **result);
 static GString* _theme_find(const char *const theme_name);
 static gboolean _theme_load_file(const char *const theme_name);
@@ -218,7 +217,7 @@ GSList*
 theme_list(void)
 {
     GSList *result = NULL;
-    char *themes_dir = _get_themes_dir();
+    char *themes_dir = files_get_config_path(DIR_THEMES);
     _theme_list_dir(themes_dir, &result);
     free(themes_dir);
 #ifdef THEMES_PATH
@@ -532,16 +531,6 @@ _load_preferences(void)
     }
 }
 
-static gchar*
-_get_themes_dir(void)
-{
-    gchar *xdg_config = files_get_xdg_config_home();
-    GString *themes_dir = g_string_new(xdg_config);
-    g_free(xdg_config);
-    g_string_append(themes_dir, "/profanity/themes");
-    return g_string_free(themes_dir, FALSE);
-}
-
 void
 _theme_list_dir(const gchar *const dir, GSList **result)
 {
@@ -560,11 +549,11 @@ static GString*
 _theme_find(const char *const theme_name)
 {
     GString *path = NULL;
-    gchar *themes_dir = _get_themes_dir();
+    char *themes_dir = files_get_config_path(DIR_THEMES);
 
     if (themes_dir) {
         path = g_string_new(themes_dir);
-        g_free(themes_dir);
+        free(themes_dir);
         g_string_append(path, "/");
         g_string_append(path, theme_name);
         if (!g_file_test(path->str, G_FILE_TEST_EXISTS)) {
diff --git a/src/config/tlscerts.c b/src/config/tlscerts.c
index 8a93ed51..edef2c8c 100644
--- a/src/config/tlscerts.c
+++ b/src/config/tlscerts.c
@@ -44,10 +44,9 @@
 #include "config/tlscerts.h"
 #include "tools/autocomplete.h"
 
-static gchar *tlscerts_loc;
+static char *tlscerts_loc;
 static GKeyFile *tlscerts;
 
-static gchar* _get_tlscerts_file(void);
 static void _save_tlscerts(void);
 
 static Autocomplete certs_ac;
@@ -58,7 +57,7 @@ void
 tlscerts_init(void)
 {
     log_info("Loading TLS certificates");
-    tlscerts_loc = _get_tlscerts_file();
+    tlscerts_loc = files_get_data_path(FILE_TLSCERTS);
 
     if (g_file_test(tlscerts_loc, G_FILE_TEST_EXISTS)) {
         g_chmod(tlscerts_loc, S_IRUSR | S_IWUSR);
@@ -429,19 +428,6 @@ tlscerts_close(void)
     autocomplete_free(certs_ac);
 }
 
-static gchar*
-_get_tlscerts_file(void)
-{
-    gchar *xdg_data = files_get_xdg_data_home();
-    GString *tlscerts_file = g_string_new(xdg_data);
-    g_string_append(tlscerts_file, "/profanity/tlscerts");
-    gchar *result = strdup(tlscerts_file->str);
-    g_free(xdg_data);
-    g_string_free(tlscerts_file, TRUE);
-
-    return result;
-}
-
 static void
 _save_tlscerts(void)
 {
diff --git a/src/log.c b/src/log.c
index 0e014947..2c1bf7bc 100644
--- a/src/log.c
+++ b/src/log.c
@@ -85,8 +85,6 @@ static gboolean _key_equals(void *key1, void *key2);
 static char* _get_log_filename(const char *const other, const char *const login, GDateTime *dt, gboolean create);
 static char* _get_groupchat_log_filename(const char *const room, const char *const login, GDateTime *dt,
     gboolean create);
-static gchar* _get_chatlog_dir(void);
-static gchar* _get_main_log_file(void);
 static void _rotate_log_file(void);
 static char* _log_string_from_level(log_level_t level);
 static void _chat_log_chat(const char *const login, const char *const other, const gchar *const msg,
@@ -145,7 +143,7 @@ log_init(log_level_t filter)
 {
     level_filter = filter;
     tz = g_time_zone_new_local();
-    gchar *log_file = _get_main_log_file();
+    char *log_file = files_get_log_file();
     logp = fopen(log_file, "a");
     g_chmod(log_file, S_IRUSR | S_IWUSR);
     mainlogfile = g_string_new(log_file);
@@ -226,7 +224,7 @@ log_level_from_string(char *log_level)
 static void
 _rotate_log_file(void)
 {
-    gchar *log_file = _get_main_log_file();
+    char *log_file = files_get_log_file();
     size_t len = strlen(log_file);
     char *log_file_new = malloc(len + 3);
 
@@ -572,7 +570,7 @@ gboolean _key_equals(void *key1, void *key2)
 static char*
 _get_log_filename(const char *const other, const char *const login, GDateTime *dt, gboolean create)
 {
-    gchar *chatlogs_dir = _get_chatlog_dir();
+    char *chatlogs_dir = files_get_data_path(DIR_CHATLOGS);
     GString *log_file = g_string_new(chatlogs_dir);
     free(chatlogs_dir);
 
@@ -603,9 +601,9 @@ _get_log_filename(const char *const other, const char *const login, GDateTime *d
 static char*
 _get_groupchat_log_filename(const char *const room, const char *const login, GDateTime *dt, gboolean create)
 {
-    gchar *chatlogs_dir = _get_chatlog_dir();
+    char *chatlogs_dir = files_get_data_path(DIR_CHATLOGS);
     GString *log_file = g_string_new(chatlogs_dir);
-    g_free(chatlogs_dir);
+    free(chatlogs_dir);
 
     gchar *login_dir = str_replace(login, "@", "_at_");
     g_string_append_printf(log_file, "/%s", login_dir);
@@ -636,36 +634,6 @@ _get_groupchat_log_filename(const char *const room, const char *const login, GDa
     return result;
 }
 
-static gchar*
-_get_chatlog_dir(void)
-{
-    gchar *xdg_data = files_get_xdg_data_home();
-    GString *chatlogs_dir = g_string_new(xdg_data);
-    g_string_append(chatlogs_dir, "/profanity/chatlogs");
-    gchar *result = strdup(chatlogs_dir->str);
-    free(xdg_data);
-    g_string_free(chatlogs_dir, TRUE);
-
-    return result;
-}
-
-static gchar*
-_get_main_log_file(void)
-{
-    gchar *xdg_data = files_get_xdg_data_home();
-    GString *logfile = g_string_new(xdg_data);
-    g_string_append(logfile, "/profanity/logs/profanity");
-    if (!prefs_get_boolean(PREF_LOG_SHARED)) {
-        g_string_append_printf(logfile, "%d", getpid());
-    }
-    g_string_append(logfile, ".log");
-    gchar *result = strdup(logfile->str);
-    free(xdg_data);
-    g_string_free(logfile, TRUE);
-
-    return result;
-}
-
 static char*
 _log_string_from_level(log_level_t level)
 {
diff --git a/src/otr/otr.c b/src/otr/otr.c
index 955e60fa..8aa3bac1 100644
--- a/src/otr/otr.c
+++ b/src/otr/otr.c
@@ -126,12 +126,11 @@ cb_write_fingerprints(void *opdata)
 {
     gcry_error_t err = 0;
 
-    gchar *data_home = files_get_xdg_data_home();
-    GString *basedir = g_string_new(data_home);
-    free(data_home);
-
+    char *otrdir = files_get_data_path(DIR_OTR);
+    GString *basedir = g_string_new(otrdir);
+    free(otrdir);
     gchar *account_dir = str_replace(jid, "@", "_at_");
-    g_string_append(basedir, "/profanity/otr/");
+    g_string_append(basedir, "/");
     g_string_append(basedir, account_dir);
     g_string_append(basedir, "/");
     free(account_dir);
@@ -215,12 +214,11 @@ otr_on_connect(ProfAccount *account)
     jid = strdup(account->jid);
     log_info("Loading OTR key for %s", jid);
 
-    gchar *data_home = files_get_xdg_data_home();
-    GString *basedir = g_string_new(data_home);
-    free(data_home);
-
+    char *otrdir = files_get_data_path(DIR_OTR);
+    GString *basedir = g_string_new(otrdir);
+    free(otrdir);
     gchar *account_dir = str_replace(jid, "@", "_at_");
-    g_string_append(basedir, "/profanity/otr/");
+    g_string_append(basedir, "/");
     g_string_append(basedir, account_dir);
     g_string_append(basedir, "/");
     free(account_dir);
@@ -393,12 +391,11 @@ otr_keygen(ProfAccount *account)
     jid = strdup(account->jid);
     log_info("Generating OTR key for %s", jid);
 
-    gchar *data_home = files_get_xdg_data_home();
-    GString *basedir = g_string_new(data_home);
-    free(data_home);
-
+    char *otrdir = files_get_data_path(DIR_OTR);
+    GString *basedir = g_string_new(otrdir);
+    free(otrdir);
     gchar *account_dir = str_replace(jid, "@", "_at_");
-    g_string_append(basedir, "/profanity/otr/");
+    g_string_append(basedir, "/");
     g_string_append(basedir, account_dir);
     g_string_append(basedir, "/");
     free(account_dir);
diff --git a/src/pgp/gpg.c b/src/pgp/gpg.c
index 6be3aaaa..f861ae97 100644
--- a/src/pgp/gpg.c
+++ b/src/pgp/gpg.c
@@ -157,12 +157,10 @@ p_gpg_close(void)
 void
 p_gpg_on_connect(const char *const barejid)
 {
-    gchar *data_home = files_get_xdg_data_home();
-    GString *pubsfile = g_string_new(data_home);
-    free(data_home);
-
+    char *pgpdir = files_get_data_path(DIR_PGP);
+    GString *pubsfile = g_string_new(pgpdir);
     gchar *account_dir = str_replace(barejid, "@", "_at_");
-    g_string_append(pubsfile, "/profanity/pgp/");
+    g_string_append(pubsfile, "/");
     g_string_append(pubsfile, account_dir);
     free(account_dir);
 
diff --git a/src/plugins/c_plugins.c b/src/plugins/c_plugins.c
index c7f8fcdb..d7de7352 100644
--- a/src/plugins/c_plugins.c
+++ b/src/plugins/c_plugins.c
@@ -41,6 +41,7 @@
 
 #include "log.h"
 #include "config/preferences.h"
+#include "config/files.h"
 #include "plugins/api.h"
 #include "plugins/callbacks.h"
 #include "plugins/plugins.h"
@@ -60,9 +61,9 @@ c_plugin_create(const char *const filename)
     ProfPlugin *plugin;
     void *handle = NULL;
 
-    gchar *plugins_dir = plugins_get_dir();
+    char *plugins_dir = files_get_data_path(DIR_PLUGINS);
     GString *path = g_string_new(plugins_dir);
-    g_free(plugins_dir);
+    free(plugins_dir);
     g_string_append(path, "/");
     g_string_append(path, filename);
 
diff --git a/src/plugins/plugins.c b/src/plugins/plugins.c
index 2308e7f3..cdade652 100644
--- a/src/plugins/plugins.c
+++ b/src/plugins/plugins.c
@@ -131,7 +131,7 @@ plugins_init(void)
 gboolean
 plugins_install(const char *const plugin_name, const char *const filename)
 {
-    char *plugins_dir = plugins_get_dir();
+    char *plugins_dir = files_get_data_path(DIR_PLUGINS);
     GString *target_path = g_string_new(plugins_dir);
     free(plugins_dir);
     g_string_append(target_path, "/");
@@ -266,7 +266,7 @@ GSList*
 plugins_unloaded_list(void)
 {
     GSList *result = NULL;
-    char *plugins_dir = plugins_get_dir();
+    char *plugins_dir = files_get_data_path(DIR_PLUGINS);
     _plugins_unloaded_list_dir(plugins_dir, &result);
     free(plugins_dir);
 
@@ -830,16 +830,3 @@ plugins_shutdown(void)
     callbacks_close();
     disco_close();
 }
-
-char*
-plugins_get_dir(void)
-{
-    gchar *xdg_data = files_get_xdg_data_home();
-    GString *plugins_dir = g_string_new(xdg_data);
-    g_string_append(plugins_dir, "/profanity/plugins");
-    char *result = strdup(plugins_dir->str);
-    g_free(xdg_data);
-    g_string_free(plugins_dir, TRUE);
-
-    return result;
-}
diff --git a/src/plugins/python_plugins.c b/src/plugins/python_plugins.c
index dc1c17f9..16c64fab 100644
--- a/src/plugins/python_plugins.c
+++ b/src/plugins/python_plugins.c
@@ -36,6 +36,7 @@
 
 #include "config.h"
 #include "config/preferences.h"
+#include "config/files.h"
 #include "plugins/api.h"
 #include "plugins/callbacks.h"
 #include "plugins/plugins.h"
@@ -77,7 +78,7 @@ python_env_init(void)
 
     python_init_prof();
 
-    gchar *plugins_dir = plugins_get_dir();
+    char *plugins_dir = files_get_data_path(DIR_PLUGINS);
     GString *path = g_string_new("import sys\n");
     g_string_append(path, "sys.path.append(\"");
     g_string_append(path, plugins_dir);
diff --git a/src/plugins/settings.c b/src/plugins/settings.c
index 418451ff..992390cf 100644
--- a/src/plugins/settings.c
+++ b/src/plugins/settings.c
@@ -49,24 +49,21 @@ static void _save_settings(void);
 void
 plugin_settings_init(void)
 {
-    gchar *xdg_data = files_get_xdg_data_home();
-    GString *fileloc = g_string_new(xdg_data);
-    g_string_append(fileloc, "/profanity/plugin_settings");
-    g_free(xdg_data);
+    char *settings_file = files_get_data_path(FILE_PLUGIN_SETTINGS);
 
-    if (g_file_test(fileloc->str, G_FILE_TEST_EXISTS)) {
-        g_chmod(fileloc->str, S_IRUSR | S_IWUSR);
+    if (g_file_test(settings_file, G_FILE_TEST_EXISTS)) {
+        g_chmod(settings_file, S_IRUSR | S_IWUSR);
     }
 
     settings = g_key_file_new();
-    g_key_file_load_from_file(settings, fileloc->str, G_KEY_FILE_KEEP_COMMENTS, NULL);
+    g_key_file_load_from_file(settings, settings_file, G_KEY_FILE_KEEP_COMMENTS, NULL);
 
     gsize g_data_size;
     gchar *g_data = g_key_file_to_data(settings, &g_data_size, NULL);
-    g_file_set_contents(fileloc->str, g_data, g_data_size, NULL);
-    g_chmod(fileloc->str, S_IRUSR | S_IWUSR);
+    g_file_set_contents(settings_file, g_data, g_data_size, NULL);
+    g_chmod(settings_file, S_IRUSR | S_IWUSR);
     g_free(g_data);
-    g_string_free(fileloc, TRUE);
+    free(settings_file);
 }
 
 void
@@ -135,19 +132,13 @@ _save_settings(void)
     gsize g_data_size;
     gchar *g_data = g_key_file_to_data(settings, &g_data_size, NULL);
 
-    gchar *xdg_data = files_get_xdg_data_home();
-    GString *fileloc = g_string_new(xdg_data);
-    g_free(xdg_data);
-
-    g_string_append(fileloc, "/profanity/");
-    char *base = strdup(fileloc->str);
-    g_string_append(fileloc, "plugin_settings");
-
-    gchar *true_loc = get_file_or_linked(fileloc->str, base);
-    free(base);
+    char *fileloc = files_get_data_path(FILE_PLUGIN_SETTINGS);
+    gchar *base = g_path_get_basename(fileloc);
+    gchar *true_loc = get_file_or_linked(fileloc, base);
+    g_free(base);
     g_file_set_contents(true_loc, g_data, g_data_size, NULL);
     free(true_loc);
     g_free(g_data);
-    g_chmod(fileloc->str, S_IRUSR | S_IWUSR);
-    g_string_free(fileloc, TRUE);
+    g_chmod(fileloc, S_IRUSR | S_IWUSR);
+    free(fileloc);
 }
diff --git a/src/plugins/themes.c b/src/plugins/themes.c
index 061638e9..e2e62a51 100644
--- a/src/plugins/themes.c
+++ b/src/plugins/themes.c
@@ -32,6 +32,8 @@
  *
  */
 
+#include <stdlib.h>
+
 #include <glib.h>
 #include <glib/gstdio.h>
 
@@ -44,24 +46,21 @@ static GKeyFile *themes;
 void
 plugin_themes_init(void)
 {
-    gchar *xdg_data = files_get_xdg_data_home();
-    GString *fileloc = g_string_new(xdg_data);
-    g_string_append(fileloc, "/profanity/plugin_themes");
-    g_free(xdg_data);
+    char *themes_file = files_get_data_path(FILE_PLUGIN_THEMES);
 
-    if (g_file_test(fileloc->str, G_FILE_TEST_EXISTS)) {
-        g_chmod(fileloc->str, S_IRUSR | S_IWUSR);
+    if (g_file_test(themes_file, G_FILE_TEST_EXISTS)) {
+        g_chmod(themes_file, S_IRUSR | S_IWUSR);
     }
 
     themes = g_key_file_new();
-    g_key_file_load_from_file(themes, fileloc->str, G_KEY_FILE_KEEP_COMMENTS, NULL);
+    g_key_file_load_from_file(themes, themes_file, G_KEY_FILE_KEEP_COMMENTS, NULL);
 
     gsize g_data_size;
     gchar *g_data = g_key_file_to_data(themes, &g_data_size, NULL);
-    g_file_set_contents(fileloc->str, g_data, g_data_size, NULL);
-    g_chmod(fileloc->str, S_IRUSR | S_IWUSR);
+    g_file_set_contents(themes_file, g_data, g_data_size, NULL);
+    g_chmod(themes_file, S_IRUSR | S_IWUSR);
     g_free(g_data);
-    g_string_free(fileloc, TRUE);
+    free(themes_file);
 }
 
 void
diff --git a/src/ui/inputwin.c b/src/ui/inputwin.c
index 6a4093e1..fb7c0b4a 100644
--- a/src/ui/inputwin.c
+++ b/src/ui/inputwin.c
@@ -428,7 +428,7 @@ _inp_rl_startup_hook(void)
     rl_variable_bind("disable-completion", "on");
 
     // check for and load ~/.config/profanity/inputrc
-    char *inputrc = files_get_inputrc_path();
+    char *inputrc = files_get_inputrc_file();
     if (inputrc) {
         rl_read_init_file(inputrc);
         free(inputrc);
diff --git a/src/ui/tray.c b/src/ui/tray.c
index ab0d26e0..374eefb7 100644
--- a/src/ui/tray.c
+++ b/src/ui/tray.c
@@ -79,10 +79,8 @@ _get_icons(void)
 
 #endif /* ICONS_PATH */
 
-    gchar *xdg_config = files_get_xdg_config_home();
-    icons_dir = g_string_new(xdg_config);
-    g_free(xdg_config);
-    g_string_append(icons_dir, "/profanity/icons");
+    char *icons_dir_s = files_get_config_path(DIR_ICONS);
+    icons_dir = g_string_new(icons_dir_s);
     GError *err = NULL;
     if (!g_file_test(icons_dir->str, G_FILE_TEST_IS_DIR)) {
         return;
diff --git a/src/xmpp/capabilities.c b/src/xmpp/capabilities.c
index b477b5f8..218ed2a2 100644
--- a/src/xmpp/capabilities.c
+++ b/src/xmpp/capabilities.c
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@
 #include "xmpp/form.h"
 #include "xmpp/capabilities.h"
 
-static gchar *cache_loc;
+static char *cache_loc;
 static GKeyFile *cache;
 
 static GHashTable *jid_to_ver;
@@ -69,7 +69,6 @@ static GHashTable *jid_to_caps;
 
 static char *my_sha1;
 
-static gchar* _get_cache_file(void);
 static void _save_cache(void);
 static Capabilities* _caps_by_ver(const char *const ver);
 static Capabilities* _caps_by_jid(const char *const jid);
@@ -79,15 +78,14 @@ void
 caps_init(void)
 {
     log_info("Loading capabilities cache");
-    cache_loc = _get_cache_file();
+    cache_loc = files_get_data_path(FILE_CAPSCACHE);
 
     if (g_file_test(cache_loc, G_FILE_TEST_EXISTS)) {
         g_chmod(cache_loc, S_IRUSR | S_IWUSR);
     }
 
     cache = g_key_file_new();
-    g_key_file_load_from_file(cache, cache_loc, G_KEY_FILE_KEEP_COMMENTS,
-        NULL);
+    g_key_file_load_from_file(cache, cache_loc, G_KEY_FILE_KEEP_COMMENTS, NULL);
 
     jid_to_ver = g_hash_table_new_full(g_str_hash, g_str_equal, free, free);
     jid_to_caps = g_hash_table_new_full(g_str_hash, g_str_equal, free, (GDestroyNotify)caps_destroy);
@@ -678,6 +676,8 @@ caps_close(void)
     cache = NULL;
     g_hash_table_destroy(jid_to_ver);
     g_hash_table_destroy(jid_to_caps);
+    free(cache_loc);
+    cache_loc = NULL;
 }
 
 void
@@ -698,19 +698,6 @@ caps_destroy(Capabilities *caps)
     }
 }
 
-static gchar*
-_get_cache_file(void)
-{
-    gchar *xdg_data = files_get_xdg_data_home();
-    GString *cache_file = g_string_new(xdg_data);
-    g_string_append(cache_file, "/profanity/capscache");
-    gchar *result = strdup(cache_file->str);
-    g_free(xdg_data);
-    g_string_free(cache_file, TRUE);
-
-    return result;
-}
-
 static void
 _save_cache(void)
 {
diff --git a/tests/unittests/helpers.c b/tests/unittests/helpers.c
index 60f36839..f57bded1 100644
--- a/tests/unittests/helpers.c
+++ b/tests/unittests/helpers.c
@@ -15,17 +15,9 @@
 void create_config_dir(void **state)
 {
     setenv("XDG_CONFIG_HOME", "./tests/files/xdg_config_home", 1);
-    gchar *xdg_config = files_get_xdg_config_home();
-
-    GString *profanity_dir = g_string_new(xdg_config);
-    g_string_append(profanity_dir, "/profanity");
-
-    if (!mkdir_recursive(profanity_dir->str)) {
+    if (!mkdir_recursive("./tests/files/xdg_config_home/profanity")) {
         assert_true(FALSE);
     }
-
-    g_free(xdg_config);
-    g_string_free(profanity_dir, TRUE);
 }
 
 void remove_config_dir(void **state)
@@ -37,17 +29,9 @@ void remove_config_dir(void **state)
 void create_data_dir(void **state)
 {
     setenv("XDG_DATA_HOME", "./tests/files/xdg_data_home", 1);
-    gchar *xdg_data = files_get_xdg_data_home();
-
-    GString *profanity_dir = g_string_new(xdg_data);
-    g_string_append(profanity_dir, "/profanity");
-
-    if (!mkdir_recursive(profanity_dir->str)) {
+    if (!mkdir_recursive("./tests/files/xdg_data_home/profanity")) {
         assert_true(FALSE);
     }
-
-    g_free(xdg_data);
-    g_string_free(profanity_dir, TRUE);
 }
 
 void remove_data_dir(void **state)