diff --git a/docsrc/manual/settings-and-options.rst b/docsrc/manual/settings-and-options.rst
index 2c231ea2..27608636 100644
--- a/docsrc/manual/settings-and-options.rst
+++ b/docsrc/manual/settings-and-options.rst
@@ -10,7 +10,11 @@ A global settings file is stored in a platform-dependent location for app config
 
 A config file is also created when opening a project in porymap for the first time. It is stored in
 your project root as ``porymap.project.cfg``. There are several project-specific settings that are
-determined by this file.
+determined by this file. You may want to check in this file so that other users will have your
+porject settings.
+
+A second config file is created for user-specific settings. It is stored in
+your project root as ``porymap.user.cfg``. You should add this file to your gitignore.
 
 .. csv-table::
    :header: Setting,Default,Location,Can Edit?,Description
@@ -18,7 +22,7 @@ determined by this file.
 
    ``recent_project``, , global, yes, The project that will be opened on launch
    ``reopen_on_launch``, 1, global, yes, Whether the most recent project should be opened on launch
-   ``recent_map``, , global, yes, The map that will be opened on launch
+   ``recent_map``, , user, yes, The map that will be opened on launch
    ``pretty_cursors``, 1, global, yes, Whether to use custom crosshair cursors
    ``map_sort_order``, group, global, yes, The order map list is sorted in
    ``window_geometry``, , global, no, For restoring window sizes
@@ -35,7 +39,7 @@ determined by this file.
    ``text_editor_goto_line``, , global, yes, The command that will be executed when clicking the button next the ``Script`` combo-box.
    ``text_editor_open_directory``, , global, yes, The command that will be executed when clicking ``Open Project in Text Editor``.
    ``base_game_version``, , project, no, The base pret repo for this project
-   ``use_encounter_json``, 1, project, yes, Enables wild encounter table editing
+   ``use_encounter_json``, 1, user, yes, Enables wild encounter table editing
    ``use_poryscript``, 0, project, yes, Whether to open .pory files for scripts
    ``use_custom_border_size``, 0, project, yes, Whether to allow variable border sizes
    ``enable_event_weather_trigger``, 1 if not ``pokefirered``, project, yes, Allows adding Weather Trigger events
@@ -47,6 +51,6 @@ determined by this file.
    ``enable_floor_number``, 1 if ``pokefirered``, project, yes, Adds ``Floor Number`` to map headers
    ``create_map_text_file``, 1 if not ``pokeemerald``, project, yes, A ``text.inc`` or ``text.pory`` file will be created for any new map
    ``enable_triple_layer_metatiles``, 0, project, yes, Enables triple-layer metatiles (See https://github.com/pret/pokeemerald/wiki/Triple-layer-metatiles)
-   ``custom_scripts``, , project, yes, A list of script files to load into the scripting engine
+   ``custom_scripts``, , user, yes, A list of script files to load into the scripting engine
 
 Some of these settings can be toggled manually in porymap via the *Options* menu.
diff --git a/include/config.h b/include/config.h
index 165bab60..9746ccf6 100644
--- a/include/config.h
+++ b/include/config.h
@@ -9,6 +9,8 @@
 #include <QKeySequence>
 #include <QMultiMap>
 
+#define CONFIG_BACKWARDS_COMPATABILITY
+
 enum MapSortOrder {
     Group   =  0,
     Area    =  1,
@@ -145,8 +147,6 @@ public:
     }
     virtual void reset() override {
         this->baseGameVersion = BaseGameVersion::pokeemerald;
-        this->recentMap = QString();
-        this->useEncounterJson = true;
         this->useCustomBorderSize = false;
         this->enableEventWeatherTrigger = true;
         this->enableEventSecretBase = true;
@@ -157,16 +157,11 @@ public:
         this->enableFloorNumber = false;
         this->createMapTextFile = false;
         this->enableTripleLayerMetatiles = false;
-        this->customScripts.clear();
         this->readKeys.clear();
     }
     void setBaseGameVersion(BaseGameVersion baseGameVersion);
     BaseGameVersion getBaseGameVersion();
     QString getBaseGameVersionString();
-    void setRecentMap(const QString &map);
-    QString getRecentMap();
-    void setEncounterJsonActive(bool active);
-    bool getEncounterJsonActive();
     void setUsePoryScript(bool usePoryScript);
     bool getUsePoryScript();
     void setProjectDir(QString projectDir);
@@ -191,8 +186,6 @@ public:
     bool getCreateMapTextFileEnabled();
     void setTripleLayerMetatilesEnabled(bool enable);
     bool getTripleLayerMetatilesEnabled();
-    void setCustomScripts(QList<QString> scripts);
-    QList<QString> getCustomScripts();
 protected:
     virtual QString getConfigFilepath() override;
     virtual void parseConfigKeyValue(QString key, QString value) override;
@@ -202,8 +195,6 @@ protected:
 private:
     BaseGameVersion baseGameVersion;
     QString projectDir;
-    QString recentMap;
-    bool useEncounterJson;
     bool usePoryScript;
     bool useCustomBorderSize;
     bool enableEventWeatherTrigger;
@@ -215,12 +206,50 @@ private:
     bool enableFloorNumber;
     bool createMapTextFile;
     bool enableTripleLayerMetatiles;
-    QList<QString> customScripts;
     QStringList readKeys;
 };
 
 extern ProjectConfig projectConfig;
 
+class UserConfig: public KeyValueConfigBase
+{
+public:
+    UserConfig() {
+        reset();
+    }
+    virtual void reset() override {
+        this->recentMap = QString();
+        this->useEncounterJson = true;
+        this->customScripts.clear();
+        this->readKeys.clear();
+    }
+    void setRecentMap(const QString &map);
+    QString getRecentMap();
+    void setEncounterJsonActive(bool active);
+    bool getEncounterJsonActive();
+    void setProjectDir(QString projectDir);
+    QString getProjectDir();
+    void setCustomScripts(QList<QString> scripts);
+    QList<QString> getCustomScripts();
+protected:
+    virtual QString getConfigFilepath() override;
+    virtual void parseConfigKeyValue(QString key, QString value) override;
+    virtual QMap<QString, QString> getKeyValueMap() override;
+    virtual void onNewConfigFileCreated() override;
+    virtual void setUnreadKeys() override;
+#ifdef CONFIG_BACKWARDS_COMPATABILITY
+    friend class ProjectConfig;
+#endif    
+private:
+    QString projectDir;
+    QString recentMap;
+    bool useEncounterJson;
+    QList<QString> customScripts;
+    QStringList readKeys;
+};
+
+extern UserConfig userConfig;
+
 class QAction;
 class Shortcut;
 
diff --git a/src/config.cpp b/src/config.cpp
index 0ed1e081..4f9d80ad 100644
--- a/src/config.cpp
+++ b/src/config.cpp
@@ -468,10 +468,6 @@ void ProjectConfig::parseConfigKeyValue(QString key, QString value) {
             this->baseGameVersion = BaseGameVersion::pokeemerald;
             logWarn(QString("Invalid config value for base_game_version: '%1'. Must be 'pokeruby', 'pokefirered' or 'pokeemerald'.").arg(value));
         }
-    } else if (key == "recent_map") {
-        this->recentMap = value;
-    } else if (key == "use_encounter_json") {
-        setConfigBool(key, &this->useEncounterJson, value);
     } else if (key == "use_poryscript") {
         setConfigBool(key, &this->usePoryScript, value);
     } else if (key == "use_custom_border_size") {
@@ -494,15 +490,21 @@ void ProjectConfig::parseConfigKeyValue(QString key, QString value) {
         setConfigBool(key, &this->createMapTextFile, value);
     } else if (key == "enable_triple_layer_metatiles") {
         setConfigBool(key, &this->enableTripleLayerMetatiles, value);
+#ifdef CONFIG_BACKWARDS_COMPATABILITY
+    } else if (key == "recent_map") {
+        userConfig.setRecentMap(value);
+    } else if (key == "use_encounter_json") {
+        userConfig.setConfigBool(key, &userConfig.useEncounterJson, value);
     } else if (key == "custom_scripts") {
-        this->customScripts.clear();
+        userConfig.customScripts.clear();
         QList<QString> paths = value.split(",");
         paths.removeDuplicates();
         for (QString script : paths) {
             if (!script.isEmpty()) {
-                this->customScripts.append(script);
+                userConfig.customScripts.append(script);
             }
         }
+#endif
     } else {
         logWarn(QString("Invalid config key found in config file %1: '%2'").arg(this->getConfigFilepath()).arg(key));
     }
@@ -526,8 +528,6 @@ void ProjectConfig::setUnreadKeys() {
 QMap<QString, QString> ProjectConfig::getKeyValueMap() {
     QMap<QString, QString> map;
     map.insert("base_game_version", baseGameVersionMap.value(this->baseGameVersion));
-    map.insert("recent_map", this->recentMap);
-    map.insert("use_encounter_json", QString::number(this->useEncounterJson));
     map.insert("use_poryscript", QString::number(this->usePoryScript));
     map.insert("use_custom_border_size", QString::number(this->useCustomBorderSize));
     map.insert("enable_event_weather_trigger", QString::number(this->enableEventWeatherTrigger));
@@ -539,7 +539,6 @@ QMap<QString, QString> ProjectConfig::getKeyValueMap() {
     map.insert("enable_floor_number", QString::number(this->enableFloorNumber));
     map.insert("create_map_text_file", QString::number(this->createMapTextFile));
     map.insert("enable_triple_layer_metatiles", QString::number(this->enableTripleLayerMetatiles));
-    map.insert("custom_scripts", this->customScripts.join(","));
     return map;
 }
 
@@ -579,10 +578,8 @@ void ProjectConfig::onNewConfigFileCreated() {
     this->enableEventCloneObject = isPokefirered;
     this->enableFloorNumber = isPokefirered;
     this->createMapTextFile = (this->baseGameVersion != BaseGameVersion::pokeemerald);
-    this->useEncounterJson = true;
     this->usePoryScript = false;
     this->enableTripleLayerMetatiles = false;
-    this->customScripts.clear();
 }
 
 void ProjectConfig::setProjectDir(QString projectDir) {
@@ -606,24 +603,6 @@ QString ProjectConfig::getBaseGameVersionString() {
     return baseGameVersionMap.value(this->baseGameVersion);
 }
 
-void ProjectConfig::setRecentMap(const QString &map) {
-    this->recentMap = map;
-    this->save();
-}
-
-QString ProjectConfig::getRecentMap() {
-    return this->recentMap;
-}
-
-void ProjectConfig::setEncounterJsonActive(bool active) {
-    this->useEncounterJson = active;
-    this->save();
-}
-
-bool ProjectConfig::getEncounterJsonActive() {
-    return this->useEncounterJson;
-}
-
 void ProjectConfig::setUsePoryScript(bool usePoryScript) {
     this->usePoryScript = usePoryScript;
     this->save();
@@ -723,12 +702,82 @@ bool ProjectConfig::getTripleLayerMetatilesEnabled() {
     return this->enableTripleLayerMetatiles;
 }
 
-void ProjectConfig::setCustomScripts(QList<QString> scripts) {
+UserConfig userConfig;
+
+QString UserConfig::getConfigFilepath() {
+    // porymap config file is in the same directory as porymap itself.
+    return QDir(this->projectDir).filePath("porymap.user.cfg");
+}
+
+void UserConfig::parseConfigKeyValue(QString key, QString value) {
+    if (key == "recent_map") {
+        this->recentMap = value;
+    } else if (key == "use_encounter_json") {
+        setConfigBool(key, &this->useEncounterJson, value);
+    } else if (key == "custom_scripts") {
+        this->customScripts.clear();
+        QList<QString> paths = value.split(",");
+        paths.removeDuplicates();
+        for (QString script : paths) {
+            if (!script.isEmpty()) {
+                this->customScripts.append(script);
+            }
+        }
+    } else {
+        logWarn(QString("Invalid config key found in config file %1: '%2'").arg(this->getConfigFilepath()).arg(key));
+    }
+    readKeys.append(key);
+}
+
+void UserConfig::setUnreadKeys() {
+}
+
+QMap<QString, QString> UserConfig::getKeyValueMap() {
+    QMap<QString, QString> map;
+    map.insert("recent_map", this->recentMap);
+    map.insert("use_encounter_json", QString::number(this->useEncounterJson));
+    map.insert("custom_scripts", this->customScripts.join(","));
+    return map;
+}
+
+void UserConfig::onNewConfigFileCreated() {
+    QString dirName = QDir(this->projectDir).dirName().toLower();
+    this->useEncounterJson = true;
+    this->customScripts.clear();
+}
+
+void UserConfig::setProjectDir(QString projectDir) {
+    this->projectDir = projectDir;
+}
+
+QString UserConfig::getProjectDir() {
+    return this->projectDir;
+}
+
+void UserConfig::setRecentMap(const QString &map) {
+    this->recentMap = map;
+    this->save();
+}
+
+QString UserConfig::getRecentMap() {
+    return this->recentMap;
+}
+
+void UserConfig::setEncounterJsonActive(bool active) {
+    this->useEncounterJson = active;
+    this->save();
+}
+
+bool UserConfig::getEncounterJsonActive() {
+    return this->useEncounterJson;
+}
+
+void UserConfig::setCustomScripts(QList<QString> scripts) {
     this->customScripts = scripts;
     this->save();
 }
 
-QList<QString> ProjectConfig::getCustomScripts() {
+QList<QString> UserConfig::getCustomScripts() {
     return this->customScripts;
 }
 
diff --git a/src/mainwindow.cpp b/src/mainwindow.cpp
index 71089327..9986a5bc 100644
--- a/src/mainwindow.cpp
+++ b/src/mainwindow.cpp
@@ -357,7 +357,7 @@ void MainWindow::setWildEncountersUIEnabled(bool enabled) {
 void MainWindow::setProjectSpecificUIVisibility()
 {
     ui->actionUse_Poryscript->setChecked(projectConfig.getUsePoryScript());
-    this->setWildEncountersUIEnabled(projectConfig.getEncounterJsonActive());
+    this->setWildEncountersUIEnabled(userConfig.getEncounterJsonActive());
 
     switch (projectConfig.getBaseGameVersion())
     {
@@ -509,6 +509,8 @@ bool MainWindow::openProject(QString dir) {
     this->statusBar()->showMessage(QString("Opening project %1").arg(nativeDir));
 
     bool success = true;
+    userConfig.setProjectDir(dir);
+    userConfig.load();
     projectConfig.setProjectDir(dir);
     projectConfig.load();
 
@@ -570,7 +572,7 @@ QString MainWindow::getDefaultMap() {
     if (editor && editor->project) {
         QList<QStringList> names = editor->project->groupedMapNames;
         if (!names.isEmpty()) {
-            QString recentMap = projectConfig.getRecentMap();
+            QString recentMap = userConfig.getRecentMap();
             if (!recentMap.isNull() && recentMap.length() > 0) {
                 for (int i = 0; i < names.length(); i++) {
                     if (names.value(i).contains(recentMap)) {
@@ -597,8 +599,8 @@ QString MainWindow::getExistingDirectory(QString dir) {
 void MainWindow::on_action_Open_Project_triggered()
 {
     QString recent = ".";
-    if (!projectConfig.getRecentMap().isEmpty()) {
-        recent = projectConfig.getRecentMap();
+    if (!userConfig.getRecentMap().isEmpty()) {
+        recent = userConfig.getRecentMap();
     }
     QString dir = getExistingDirectory(recent);
     if (!dir.isEmpty()) {
@@ -742,7 +744,7 @@ void MainWindow::openWarpMap(QString map_name, QString event_id, QString event_g
 }
 
 void MainWindow::setRecentMap(QString mapName) {
-    projectConfig.setRecentMap(mapName);
+    userConfig.setRecentMap(mapName);
 }
 
 void MainWindow::displayMapProperties() {
@@ -1707,7 +1709,7 @@ void MainWindow::on_mainTabBar_tabBarClicked(int index)
         editor->setEditingConnections();
     }
     if (index != 4) {
-        if (projectConfig.getEncounterJsonActive())
+        if (userConfig.getEncounterJsonActive())
             editor->saveEncounterTabData();
     }
     if (index != 1) {
@@ -1758,7 +1760,7 @@ void MainWindow::on_actionUse_Encounter_Json_triggered(bool checked)
     warning.setText("You must reload the project for this setting to take effect.");
     warning.setIcon(QMessageBox::Information);
     warning.exec();
-    projectConfig.setEncounterJsonActive(checked);
+    userConfig.setEncounterJsonActive(checked);
 }
 
 void MainWindow::on_actionMonitor_Project_Files_triggered(bool checked)
@@ -3217,6 +3219,7 @@ void MainWindow::closeEvent(QCloseEvent *event) {
             }
         }
         projectConfig.save();
+        userConfig.save();
     }
 
     porymapConfig.setMainGeometry(
diff --git a/src/mainwindow_scriptapi.cpp b/src/mainwindow_scriptapi.cpp
index 5875bb08..75d6b417 100644
--- a/src/mainwindow_scriptapi.cpp
+++ b/src/mainwindow_scriptapi.cpp
@@ -1052,7 +1052,7 @@ QString MainWindow::getBaseGameVersion() {
 }
 
 QList<QString> MainWindow::getCustomScripts() {
-    return projectConfig.getCustomScripts();
+    return userConfig.getCustomScripts();
 }
 
 int MainWindow::getMainTab() {
@@ -1065,7 +1065,7 @@ void MainWindow::setMainTab(int index) {
     if (!this->ui || !this->ui->mainTabBar || index < 0 || index >= this->ui->mainTabBar->count())
         return;
     // Can't select Wild Encounters tab if it's disabled
-    if (index == 4 && !projectConfig.getEncounterJsonActive())
+    if (index == 4 && !userConfig.getEncounterJsonActive())
         return;
     this->on_mainTabBar_tabBarClicked(index);
 }
diff --git a/src/project.cpp b/src/project.cpp
index beda1e79..706cc306 100644
--- a/src/project.cpp
+++ b/src/project.cpp
@@ -727,7 +727,7 @@ void Project::saveMapGroups() {
 }
 
 void Project::saveWildMonData() {
-    if (!projectConfig.getEncounterJsonActive()) return;
+    if (!userConfig.getEncounterJsonActive()) return;
 
     QString wildEncountersJsonFilepath = QString("%1/src/data/wild_encounters.json").arg(root);
     QFile wildEncountersFile(wildEncountersJsonFilepath);
@@ -1716,7 +1716,7 @@ bool Project::readWildMonData() {
     wildMonFields.clear();
     wildMonData.clear();
     encounterGroupLabels.clear();
-    if (!projectConfig.getEncounterJsonActive()) {
+    if (!userConfig.getEncounterJsonActive()) {
         return true;
     }
 
@@ -1727,7 +1727,7 @@ bool Project::readWildMonData() {
     if (!parser.tryParseOrderedJsonFile(&wildMonObj, wildMonJsonFilepath)) {
         // Failing to read wild encounters data is not a critical error, just disable the
         // encounter editor and log a warning in case the user intended to have this data.
-        projectConfig.setEncounterJsonActive(false);
+        userConfig.setEncounterJsonActive(false);
         emit disableWildEncountersUI();
         logWarn(QString("Failed to read wild encounters from %1").arg(wildMonJsonFilepath));
         return true;
@@ -2295,7 +2295,7 @@ bool Project::readObjEventGfxConstants() {
 
 bool Project::readMiscellaneousConstants() {
     miscConstants.clear();
-    if (projectConfig.getEncounterJsonActive()) {
+    if (userConfig.getEncounterJsonActive()) {
         QString filename = "include/constants/pokemon.h";
         fileWatcher.addPath(root + "/" + filename);
         QMap<QString, int> pokemonDefines = parser.readCDefines(filename, { "MIN_", "MAX_" });
diff --git a/src/scripting.cpp b/src/scripting.cpp
index ef757464..58f64b1c 100644
--- a/src/scripting.cpp
+++ b/src/scripting.cpp
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ Scripting::Scripting(MainWindow *mainWindow) {
     this->engine = new QJSEngine(mainWindow);
     this->engine->installExtensions(QJSEngine::ConsoleExtension);
     this->engine->globalObject().setProperty("map", this->engine->newQObject(mainWindow));
-    for (QString script : projectConfig.getCustomScripts()) {
+    for (QString script : userConfig.getCustomScripts()) {
         this->filepaths.append(script);
     }
     this->loadModules(this->filepaths);
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ void Scripting::loadModules(QStringList moduleFiles) {
     for (QString filepath : moduleFiles) {
         QJSValue module = this->engine->importModule(filepath);
         if (module.isError()) {
-            QString relativePath = QDir::cleanPath(projectConfig.getProjectDir() + QDir::separator() + filepath);
+            QString relativePath = QDir::cleanPath(userConfig.getProjectDir() + QDir::separator() + filepath);
             module = this->engine->importModule(relativePath);
             if (tryErrorJS(module)) continue;
         }